Players who spent a majority of time in Henderson making an early difference.
Early injuries and suspensions have affected the Vegas Golden Knights so far this season.
While they're not crippling, it has affected some early season planning.
That's why it's been great for the Golden Knights to see their AHL-affiliate, the Henderson Silver Knights, produce some NHL-ready talent.
Brayden Pachal stepped into the lineup for the first three games and played exceptionally well with a plus-3 and a goal.
Kaedan Korczak hasn't played as much as Pachal, but made the big club roster out of training camp, thanks to upper-body injuries to Alec Martinez and Zach Whitecloud. Korczak got his first bit of game time against the Anaheim Ducks, filling in for Alex Pietrangelo, who missed the game after taking a puck to the head in the team's win against San Jose.
Korczak had 14:37 of ice-time, registering one shot and three hits.
And while his stay with the main club was short, Jonas Rondbjerg contributed in the two games that the team missed Brett Howden due to suspension. He filled in for William Carrier on the fourth line and played well, scoring an empty-net goal in the Golden Knights' victory against the Ducks.
The fact that Vegas can get production and solid play from its call-ups is vital. Injuries will happen, especially in Bruce Cassidy's system. That's why it's important to have NHL-ready talent in Henderson at a moment's call.
"We pride ourselves in shot blocking, winning our board battles, winning the slot battle, so you're gonna have some sort of casualties because of that. So we need good guys to come up that are willing to play the right way and that usually has to be instilled in them down there [in Henderson]," Cassidy said. "It's worked out well for us up to this point. We've needed them, and they've done a good job for us whatever we've called upon."
The Silver Knights are 2-0 thus far in the early season with new head coach Ryan Craig. Aside from Korczak, Pachal and Rondbjerg, the team features NHL-capable talent in Byron Froese, Sheldon Rempal, Jiri Patera, and highly-touted rookie Brendan Brisson.
"The team's in great hands with 'Craiger,'" Cassidy said.
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