Unlock the secrets behind the Vegas Golden Knights' strategic maneuvers on the ice with my dad and me as we dissect the team's latest trades and their potential to transform the game. Dive into the complexities of Tomas Hertl joining VGK, a move that's stirring excitement, and explore with us the less certain fit of Noah Hanifin. We tackle the tough questions, like how VGK can leverage Anthony Mantha's strengths, and weigh in on the salary cap conundrum that could dictate the team's future. If you're seeking insights into VGK's recent matchups, including the unexpected stumble against Vancouver and the commendable performances against Minnesota and Colorado, you've got a front-row seat to our no-holds-barred analysis.
As playoff tension builds, join the conversation on whether the Golden Knights have stirred the right mix for success or if they're skating on thin ice. We survey the landscape of potential first-round adversaries, debating the merits of facing Dallas or Edmonton, while not overlooking the influence of the concluding regular-season games. Reflecting on Hertle and Hanifin's post-trade rise, we ponder the evolving team synergy and invite you to chime in with your perspective. To wrap it all up, don't miss the personal thank-you note to our loyal supporters and a special acknowledgment of my dad's expertise, which amplifies our hockey discussions and brings a touch of heart to every episode.
Unlock the secrets behind the Vegas Golden Knights' strategic maneuvers on the ice with my dad and me as we dissect the team's latest trades and their potential to transform the game. Dive into the complexities of Tomas Hertl joining VGK, a move that's stirring excitement, and explore with us the less certain fit of Noah Hanifin. We tackle the tough questions, like how VGK can leverage Anthony Mantha's strengths, and weigh in on the salary cap conundrum that could dictate the team's future. If you're seeking insights into VGK's recent matchups, including the unexpected stumble against Vancouver and the commendable performances against Minnesota and Colorado, you've got a front-row seat to our no-holds-barred analysis.
As playoff tension builds, join the conversation on whether the Golden Knights have stirred the right mix for success or if they're skating on thin ice. We survey the landscape of potential first-round adversaries, debating the merits of facing Dallas or Edmonton, while not overlooking the influence of the concluding regular-season games. Reflecting on Hertle and Hanifin's post-trade rise, we ponder the evolving team synergy and invite you to chime in with your perspective. To wrap it all up, don't miss the personal thank-you note to our loyal supporters and a special acknowledgment of my dad's expertise, which amplifies our hockey discussions and brings a touch of heart to every episode.
Speaker 1:
All right, Today we're breaking down with the trades a game changer, or were they a straight belly flop coming from the VGK All right, Today we're talking about were the trades that VGK made at the trade deadline worth it or did we simply miss on these? I know a lot of people were interested to see this, but it seemed like the Vegas Golden Knights were a young kid at the poker table just getting pocket aces dealt to them and just couldn't contain the excitement with all these big moves they made. And I don't know if this is coming through. Hey, we're here again. I'm Jay, as always, the host of Vegas Guys Locker Room. I'm here with my old man again.
Speaker 1:
Glad to have you back for another show everyone dad, what is your take on the trades that the vgk made?
Speaker 2:
there's the hurdle, one I think is spectacular. I think that's even going to grow even more as we go along. The hannifin one I'm still up in the air about, and I think you and I both agree that they're not playing him in the proper position right now. They got some work to do in working with the trades, but I think Hurdle is going to be a big key factor. He was last night, oh yeah, oh yeah.
Speaker 1:
For them. They make that comeback. You know the Colorado Avalanche. I came out in the last video and I said I believed that the Vegas Golden Knights could come up here with six points. Unfortunately they weren't able to do that because of the Vancouver loss.
Speaker 1:
Vancouver Canucks we play very well against. I've looked at the metrics on the edge stats. We match up pretty well with the Vancouver Canucks. I thought we'd come out of there with a win. When lost that I didn't see us beating Edmonton the way Edmonton's been playing lately, especially on the road. So that was the loss I had for the week. Now they come out and they show up against Minnesota, dumping them 7-2. And the Colorado Avants who have been struggling lately, I believe, what they've got two wins in the last 10. And to lose what they lost seven, nothing the day before. And they have to come on a back-to-back and early matinee game against VGK. All VGK had to do was come out with the same intensity that Colorado was going to do, and they didn't. They get down in a hole, three zero but then make a great comeback with, on the back of William Carlson and, of course, in in overtime, tomas Hertel getting the deflection off of Jack Eichel's shot.
Speaker 2:
Yeah.
Speaker 1:
Now, as far as with the trades go, I think the best trade they've made is Anthony Mantha. I like his game. Now he's a UFA pending. He's played really well. Really like him. What do you think?
Speaker 2:
I think he's playing well, but I think he can do a lot better. I I think he's not used to where people are, because I I noticed when, especially when it comes to the passing or or trying to get fight off the boards, they're not. They're not clearing the puck where they should. They're just not getting to the puck off the boards. That's where they're having a major problem, I think.
Speaker 1:
I think with Mantha, I think they're just not utilizing him as Washington did early in the year. Mantha's a big body who can skate. Put him in front of the net. Let him get those loose rebounds. Have him charging it. You've noticed, where he scores is right in front of the net. Let him get those loose rebounds. Have him charging it. You've noticed, where he scores is right in front of the net for the rebound.
Speaker 2:
That's where he's gotten his goals. That's what they do with Hurdle. You can't have everybody in front of the net.
Speaker 1:
Well, the problem is they don't get to the net enough. They only have one line that does it, and that's what. Tomas Hurdle is on the ice now. They tried it with Carly. Carly's not. That's not his game. Stone is great at it.
Speaker 1:
Stone is also another one that's good at getting he's kind of the he's kind of similar that he can clean up the garbage from the nets. Mantha, that's where his strength was in Washington. He skates really well and I think they're trying to utilize him a different way and I just don't think the chemistry is there with them. What do you think?
Speaker 2:
I yeah, I totally agree, that's what I'm saying.
Speaker 1:
He's not playing his potential that he could be with us, and I think it's because they're not clicking. Yeah, I just don't think they're clicking together, but he's got the skills for it, but they're not a great heck of a player. Great on the blue line, good defensively at times. He reminds me of Shea Theodore a lot and they have similar game styles. I'm just curious to see. We've locked him up for the eight years, which is great, because he is bar none one of the best defensemen in the league right now. Hurdle, of course, has his six years remaining on the San Jose deal. Mantha, of course, is projected to be a ufa now with these trades listen, not everybody can get paid. Who do you think's gonna be finest this thing next year? And does it hurt the vjk that they made these trades in the long run? What do you think?
Speaker 2:
I'm wondering. Petrangelo is on his way to closing. No, I don't think so how many years is on his contract?
Speaker 1:
I think he signed what he signed an eight-year deal. What what? Three years ago, Three, four years ago? He's got a lot of time, Remember. We're paying him that big contract until he's like 38.
Speaker 2:
Yeah.
Speaker 1:
So he's going to be a large hit. I don't see anybody paying that. That was why he came to VGK.
Speaker 2:
I don't mind him getting rid of White Cloud. I'm so disappointed with white he's he's had a rough year.
Speaker 1:
I mean after the year he had last year. He had a very good year last year and the season before that. He looks like he progressed this year. It just it looks like he's stepping. He's taking a step backwards and in my mind. I totally agree but who do you think we lose? I know that the pending ufas that we have coming up there's stevenson marsh assaults uh, william carrier he got speed.
Speaker 2:
I mean, stevenson was one of our stars too for the playoffs last year. You got to admit that he was on fire. He's maybe with the new players, I don't know. Is that what's changing a lot of things? Or is it just Stone being missing, biggest factor of missing from our team?
Speaker 1:
Yeah, I know Stone's locked up for a while, but I'm talking the UFAs. Are they going to be back next year? I mean, what's your mindset on that? What do you think? You think we can go without Stevenson and play the same type of game.
Speaker 2:
I think so, but we need Kerry back. We got to have Kerry.
Speaker 1:
Well, he's a UFA too. I don't think he's back next year. No, no, I don't think they're gonna be able to afford them, not with these contracts they just signed. Yeah true?
Speaker 2:
well, that's gonna be a disappointment for me yeah, yeah, I mean, he's a great player.
Speaker 1:
I love his physicality. I think he skates really well, plays hard on the puck. So yeah it's. It's gonna be interesting Looking at some of these guys.
Speaker 2:
Everybody has to determine all this.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, I mean, it's amazing. It's still a business, unfortunately. The best thing I think with the trades if you've noticed they came out with these guys is Hurdle kind of getting acclimated with the team. It's been interesting to see he's got such great energy. He's got a good vibe around him and you saw him before. You know, before he even taken the ice he was partaking and getting around Vegas. I know Christian McCaffrey was at the game on Friday against the Minnesota Wild. They got a photo on social media with him, eichel Stone, stevenson all hanging out with Christian McCaffrey. My personal favorite is being a Niners fan. What's your favorite moment since they made these trades? What's a magical moment you think you've seen from these guys?
Speaker 2:
Just coming through when they had to. I mean, that was big for me. I didn't, and you know, I was telling you I didn't think they had it Without Stone. I didn't think they were at the caliber to get in the playoffs, but these changes that they made put them in the playoffs. It was the biggest. It was the biggest thing, biggest change that made them because, you know, I even told you I didn't think they were going to make it. I didn't think they were going to make it, I didn't think they were that caliber. But they made those trades and I think it changed a lot. It changed a lot and, like we said, they've got to connect, they've got to work with these players, they've got to know their play. They've just got to join up together to be a team. That's what makes it and it takes time.
Speaker 1:
And they've proven it right now. You're a firm believer that the trades they made are complete game changers and a huge success.
Speaker 2:
All positive. I told you before the trades I didn't think they were going to make the playoffs. I didn't think it. They were on a downhill motion.
Speaker 1:
I'm still up in the air on as far as these trades at this point and I think in the long term I think there were great trades to make, but I think the chemistry is just not there. They haven't had a whole lot of time on the ice with each other and that is my biggest concern going heading into the playoffs.
Speaker 2:
That's why I said I said get into the playoffs. They were, but I didn't say they were. I don't think right now, without stone, I don't see them winning in the playoffs.
Speaker 1:
I don't.
Speaker 2:
I hate to say that, cause you know, I mean, that's my team. I love the golden Knights, but I really, truly believe they don't have the caliber to. I'm even worried. What are we gonna play? Dallas? We play dallas. We played them great last year, but it's totally different this year looking at the possible matchups, it's dallas.
Speaker 1:
We don't match up well statistically. Looking at the, looking at how we play, we don't match up well against edmonton at all the way we play. The only team that would benefit us to face in the first round is actually Vancouver.
Speaker 2:
Vancouver.
Speaker 1:
And I don't think that's going to happen at all. I think that's a long shot for us to play Vancouver in the first round. I think it's either going to be Edmonton, if we sneak into that three spot, or if we're in the second wild card, we're probably playing.
Speaker 2:
Dallas, but we have to win two of the last two games and Kings have to lose one.
Speaker 1:
Yes, in order to get to that third spot.
Speaker 2:
Now just pick your poison at that third, I think we would be better playing Dallas than we would Edmonton in the first round.
Speaker 1:
Wow, I see that differently. I think we're better off playing Dallas. They showed us the last time we played Edmonton Edmont.
Speaker 2:
I see that differently. I think we're better off playing Dallas.
Speaker 1:
They showed us the last time we played.
Speaker 2:
Edmonton Edmonton stomped us oh yeah, I mean there was no comparison and I'd really like to see the comparison with Dallas, even though we don't play according to their style, but I think we'd have a better chance in Edmonton this year.
Speaker 1:
Wow, wow, okay, oh wow, all right. Yeah, do you think you'd rather see Edmonton in the first round, or do you rather see Dallas?
Speaker 2:
No, I'd rather see Dallas.
Speaker 1:
You'd rather see Dallas?
Speaker 2:
Yeah, I'd rather see Dallas.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2:
As a matter of fact, I'm hoping that LA wins both of their last ones, so I don't have to worry about it.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, it's going to be a tough one. Yeah, I think. Either way, I think it's going to be Well. They're playing who?
Speaker 2:
They're playing Minnesota. They're playing Minnesota.
Speaker 1:
Oh, no, no.
Speaker 2:
I'm talking about Kings. Oh, okay, they play Minnesota and then they play Chicago.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, I believe we got Chicago and Anaheim coming up. Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2:
Well, ducks, ducks are sometimes close with us, but I think we're better than them, way better.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, I mean, the ducks play, always play us hard. So it's going to be an interesting matchup, that's for sure. So of course, we want to get everybody else's view in here. So please, in the comments section below, let us know what you think. Are these trades a game changer, or were they a huge belly flop in your mind? And what do you think the Knights need to do going forward to make these trades even better? Do they have to make some other moves in the offseason? What do you guys think?
Speaker 2:
Please, we'd like to hear what your thoughts are. Do you have any suggestions? That's what we want. Give us that input so we can look at the ideas of not just ourselves, but of others. We really need your input really.
Speaker 1:
Yep, as we've seen, some of those trades have paid off. Tomas Hurdle paid off yesterday getting a game-winning goal in overtime. Hannafin's come up huge. He's had huge point games with the assist and some goals. He looks great on the power play. I think he's really revamped that Manta's still trying to feel his way, but I do like the way he's progressing. The lines have changed so much. I think it's hard to build that chemistry but I do like what I'm seeing out of Manta at times. It's going to be rough. It's going to be interesting going forward.
Speaker 2:
There's still a lot more potential there, though. That's the thing. Is that potential going to pop out?
Speaker 1:
Yeah, the potential, it's just them clicking together.
Speaker 2:
That's all it is. If they get that together, they're going to be dangerous. I love their defense. I think we got the best defense of all of hockey. I really do.
Speaker 1:
Well, the problem with our defense is we spend too much time in our own zone. Looking at the stats, we basically split offensive and defensive zone time. We're almost pretty much even About 40% of the time we're in each zone. I'd like us to be in the offensive zone a little bit more, the neutral zone. We don't play there a whole lot. I'd like us. We haven't had very many shots either. No, no, we, that's not the game we play. We're not going to put up a whole lot of shots. We, we pick our shots. They're not a bombardment team.
Speaker 2:
I just I really want them to play in the opposite end a little bit more, rather than seeing play defense that was my biggest concern yesterday when we went down three to-0, I was like it's over. It's over, Because in the third period we usually play the worst. Yeah, and we just dominated the third period. It was awesome.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, it was awesome to see. Awesome to see. Yep. Yeah, aiden Held looked a little bit better in nets. Yep, he looks like he's starting to progress a little forward.
Speaker 2:
Yeah.
Speaker 1:
Logan Thompson's been up and down so far this season, so hopefully our goaltending can get right.
Speaker 1:
Hopefully our goaltending can get right before the playoffs. But anyways, guys, that's all the time we have for today. Thanks for watching. Please make sure you leave your comments below and make sure you guys subscribe, hit that like button and get notified about more videos coming up. And if you want to see more past videos that we put out, please check it out and also follow us on our podcast. If you're interested more for fantasy football and fantasy hockey That'll be next season Follow us there at Vegas Guys Locker and wherever you get your podcasts, including here on YouTube. So, dad, hey, thanks again for joining us. Thank you, it was a pleasure. All right, guys, and we'll see you all in in the next one.