NHL Free Agency: Grading the Golden Knights’ signings

Depth Deals

Signed Alex Gallant, Curtis McKenzie, Jimmy Oligny, Zachary Fucale, Daniel Carr, and Maxime Lagace, Brandon Pirri

Most of these players are expected to to play in the AHL next season.

Daniel Carr played in 38 games for the Montreal Canadiens last seasons. He finished with 16 points. Expect him to be given a chance to earn a bottom-six role in training camp. He’s 26 years old, so there’s not much upside, but he works hard and provides energy on a checking line.

Maxime Lagace will likely be the first goaltender called up. He appeared in 16 games for the Golden Knights last season as a rash of injuries hit their goaltending core. As long as Marc-Andre Fleury and Malcolm Subban stay healthy, Lagace will remain in the AHL.

Curtis McKenzie has some NHL experience and could be called up in a pinch. Alex Gallant, Jimmy Oligny, and Zachary Fucale will only be called up if things are going horrible wrong in Vegas.

Brandon Pirri has plenty of NHL experience, but play most of 2017-18 in the AHL. He’s another guy who is at the top of the call-up list if the Knights need a depth forward.

While these signings don’t look all that important, never sleep on AHL deals. The Chicago Wolves finished with 95 points last season, but lost in the first round of the playoffs. They’ve been in the playoffs in four of the last five seasons. These are the kind of guys you need to show the younger kids in the AHL the ropes. Vegas will look towards this group to teach players like Cody Glass, Nick Suzuki, and Nicolas Hague how to be professionals at all times.

It’s tough to criticize depth deals and Vegas did fine here.

Grade: B