Jonas Rondbjerg showcased his potential during the Vegas Golden Knights' recent 4-3 overtime loss to the Dallas Stars, yet ironically, he is set to be replaced as part of the lineup changes prior to their upcoming game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on January 31, 2025.
Rondbjerg, the 26-year-old draft pick from the third round (65th overall) of the 2017 NHL draft, has played 72 career games, securing just three goals and 10 points. Despite the disappointing scoring numbers, the Knights had hoped his performance would help him secure a role within their bottom six. While he demonstrated promise against the Stars, outscoring and outplaying the opposition, it wasn't enough to maintain his spot on the roster. During his 10:39 of ice time, Rondbjerg managed to register two shots and one block, contributing to the Knights’ dominance with 63.08% expected goals percentage and more high-danger chances at 3-1.
Addressing his playing style, Rondbjerg said, "I'm trying to play north. A hard, heavy, fast game,” highlighting his desire to be stronger on the puck and more offensive. Despite this effort, head coach Bruce Cassidy opted for Cal Burke to step onto the ice instead. Burke's six-game stint with the Golden Knights previously showed his capabilities, albeit he won’t be contributing alongside star player Jack Eichel this time around. Instead, Burke will line up with Tanner Pearson and Brett Howden.
Meanwhile, Raphael Lavoie, who partnered with Rondbjerg, will shift to the third line alongside Keegan Kolesar and Nicolas Roy. The adjustments come as the team seeks to optimize its performance heading onto their Eastern Conference road trip.
On the horizon looms the intriguing case of Brandon Saad, who recently mutually terminated his contract with the St. Louis Blues, marking his entry to the free agency market. The 32-year-old Stanley Cup champion was struggling this year, with only seven goals and 16 points over 43 games, which led to mutual dissatisfaction with the Blues. Reportedly, he opted against joining the Blues’ AHL affiliate after the team placed him on waivers.
The market for Saad appears competitive, with the Golden Knights being among several teams interested. TSN's Chris Johnston noted, "But he's going to have options and what the cost is will be the determining factor for some of these teams because, obviously, Saad did walk away fromthat money." The interest isn’t solely limited to the Knights; teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs and the New Jersey Devils are keeping tabs on the forward, emphasizing the fact he is likely to command significant resources as he seeks to join the next contender.
Alongside these changes, one constant player reflecting great form is Tomáš Hertl, now donning the Golden Knights' jersey after leaving the San Jose Sharks. Having undergone surgery for injury issues last year, the Czech forward has returned and is enjoying perhaps the best form of his career. Presently on the longest point streak of his NHL tenure, with four goals and six assists over his last ten games, Hertl shines as he centers the line alongside Victor Olofsson and Pavel Dorofeyev, contributing significantly to the team’s offensive success.
Reflecting on his newfound confidence, Hertl said, "Sometimes, when you get confidence, this is just how you play." He continues, "I think we found some chemistry. Everybody’s getting points and scoring goals. Every night, we have some good chances, and now the goals are going in for us. We definitely want to be a little bitbetter defensively, but I think we’re doing well.” Indeed, his influence is palpable, as he stands fourth on the team for scoring and second for goals, contributing to the power play, which boasts the third-best success rate this league at 28.3%.
The power play has been integral for the Golden Knights this season, and as Hertl notes, maintaining this high-performance level will be pivotal heading toward intense playoff preparations. “All year, we’ve had really good power play,” he asserted. “We have to keep doing it because you never know when you’ll get colder.”
Navigationally, the Knights appear to fortify their lineup with strategic changes; ensuring they maximize the contributions from each player is integral as they look to navigate through games leading up to the postseason. The movements, particularly concerning Rondbjerg, Saad, and Hertl, loom large over how the Knights could position themselves moving forward. With the upcoming four-game Eastern Conference road trip, the decisions made by the coaching staff and management will not just change on-ice dynamics, but could also represent the direction the franchise aims to steer.<\/p>