Las Vegas Golden Knights Make First Move, Sign Reid Duke

The Las Vegas Golden Knights have signed tier first player: Reid Duke to a three-year, entry-level contract.

The 21-year-old has 35 goals and 67 points through 54 games this season and is a plus-9. Duke is a versatile player who can play either the center or the wing, and plays an overall excellent two-way game.

The 6-foot, 192 pound forward is able to make great offensive plays and shows excellent ability and skill with the puck. Additionally, he can backcheck effectively.

Making the Cut

Duke has been trying to make the NHL cut for a while now, and will finally get his chance. He was drafted by the Minnesota Wild in 2014, going 169th overall in the sixth-round. After playing in the organization, the team did not offer him an entry-level contract. Duke skated with the New York Rangers and Montreal Canadiens in 2016, but nothing ever formulated out of that.

Finally, the Golden Knights signed the forward to the contract he has been working toward, and now, he is ready to continue toward building his career.

“I’m so thrilled,” Duke told NHL.com. “…[Knights assistant general manager Kelly McCrimmon] has been so instrumental in my career beginning with bringing me over here to Brandon in 2014. I owe him so much. He’s been a big part of my life and I’m happy to share this moment with him.”

The Golden Knights also believe that Reid will make a strong transition to the NHL level, and be an overall asset to the organization.

“I think what’s impressive with Reid is a real high skill level and yet a guy that’s able to play a big, strong heavy game,” McCrimmon told the Golden Knights website. “When we project Reid, we think his game will evolve as he becomes a pro. We believe he’s going to be an NHL player. It’s real exciting for us to be bringing Reid into the Golden Knights organization.”

The team will select current NHL players from each team at the expansion draft in May.