Las Vegas Review-Journal (Sunday)
Knights keeping the kids close by
Following trend of putting AHL team near home
Golden Knights prospect Keegan Kolesar logged thousands of air miles on a sudden December trip just to be an insurance policy.
The right wing was called up from the American Hockey League’s Chicago Wolves on Dec. 28 before a game in Iowa. He flew to Las Vegas, warmed up in case a banged-up skater couldn’t go and ultimately watched a game against the Arizona Coyotes from the T-Mobile Arena press box. He was sent back down that same night and played a game in Chicago the following afternoon.
The Knights want that situation to play out differently next season. There’s a chance Kolesar could go through the same transactions without having to get on a plane.
The Knights hope having a local AHL affiliate will cut down their prospects’ flight time and help in many other ways. By turning the San Antonio Rampage into the Henderson Silver Knights, the organization wants to improve communication, cut down on logistical challenges and increase its foothold in the Las Vegas community.
Those potential positives are why the Knights are just the latest NHL team to bring their affiliate closer to home.
“There’s going to be a lot of advantages from a developmental standpoint,” Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon said. “The popularity of the (Silver Knights) already has been incredible. That’s going to make for a great environ
AHL
Henry Ruggs, WR
Starved for a No. 1 wide receiver who can create separation and put pressure on a defense, the Raiders opted to draft Ruggs with the 12th pick in the first round over fellow wide receiver standouts Jerry Jeudy of Alabama and Cee Dee Lamb of Oklahoma.
While his fellow rookies may end up with more catches, Ruggs’ effect on the Raiders could be more impactful. The electrifying speed he adds can’t be ignored. He will force defenses to rethink how they defend the Raiders.
Chances are, that means fewer instances in which teams bring a safety closer to the line of scrimmage to defend running back Josh Jacobs, which will give him more room to run. The attention Ruggs receives also figures to create more room to operate for tight end Darren Waller and wide recivers Hunter Renfrow and Tyrell Williams.
For that to happen, however, Ruggs needs to master the role Jon Gruden maps out for him and produce. If he can consistently do damage with the ball in his hands, he will lift the entire Raiders’ offense.
Cory Littleton, LB
The Raiders reeled in Littleton last March with a three-year, $35.25 million contract, and the best linebacker on the free-agent market immediately improves the Raiders’ weakest position group. Littleton’s ability to play the run and the pass — along with fellow free-agent linebacker pickup Nick Kwiatkoski — dramatically lessens the ability of opposing offenses to attack the Raiders’ linebackers in the passing game.
Provided Littleton merely replicates what he did with the Los Angeles Rams the last two seasons, he can help change the complexion of the Raiders’ defense.
Clelin Ferrell, DE
The Raiders invested the fourth overall pick in the 2019 draft on
Ferrell, knowing he wasn’t a one-dimensional speed rush defensive end who would wow with his sack production. In their vision, he projected as a traditional edge-setting end who could stand up against the run and, in time, rush the passer.
Ferrell flashed some of those traits in his rookie season, but he needs to do more this year. After vowing to return a changed player both physically and mentally, by all indications he’s completely changed his body and is on target to make good on his promise.
If he blossoms, he and fellow second-year defensive end Maxx Crosby could be one of the best young tandems in the game.
Trayvon Mullen, CB
The Raiders drafted the Clemson cornerback in the second round last year, and after an up-and-down beginning to his rookie season he came on over the last half of the season. While he had some major swings in production after taking over as a starter — Mullen had two games that earned a Pro Football Focus grade above 80.0, but three games with grades below 50.0 — the skill set he flashed in his best games as a big, rangy pass defender and tackler gave indications that he has a high ceiling.
If Mullen can become more consistent this season, he can give the Raiders the kind of dependable play they need from their top cornerback position.
Derek Carr, QB
It always comes down to the quarterback, right? In the Raiders’ case, the improvements they made offensively with the addition of Ruggs and fellow rookie weapons Lynn Bowden and Bryan Edwards, coupled with holdovers Waller, Jacobs and Renfrow and an offensive line that graded out among the top 10 when healthy, should put Carr in position for a breakthrough season.
Heading into his third straight year in Gruden’s offense, there was a lot to like about Carr’s season in 2019. He reached the 4,000-yard passing mark for the second straight season and completed 70.4 percent of his passes. He also threw 21 touchdowns compared to eight interceptions. He did all that without a No. 1-caliber wide receiver.
Unfortunately, the production didn’t always translate into points. Far too often the Raiders bogged down in the red zone, where Carr’s completion percentage fell below 60 percent and the Raiders finished 22nd in touchdown scoring percentage.
Some of that can be attributed to Carr’s weaponry. But with Ruggs and his fellow rookies changing that dynamic, Carr will have more options to turn to when the field shortens.
If that happens, the Raiders’ offense has a chance to be one of the most productive in the NFL.