Schmidt recovering from sprained ankle
Defenseman could be ready when vets report in one week
There was good news for the Golden Knights regarding Nate Schmidt.
The defenseman, 26, has made progress in healing from a sprained ankle suffered in an off-ice training session last month and may be able to practice at City National Arena when the veterans begin training camp next Friday.
“I talked to Nate, and he told me he was doing better,” general manager George Mcphee said Thursday. “But you never know with ankle sprains.
“We’re not going to rush Nate back. But if he’s ready to go and the doctors give the OK, you’ll probably see him out there when camp begins.”
The only other veteran who is questionable for the start of camp is left wing James Neal. The former Nashville Predator is still recovering from surgery on his broken right hand suffered in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals vs. Anaheim. Mcphee said Neal may miss the first couple of days of camp.
COX-AT&T update
With the preseason approaching and the regular-season opener less than a month away, there is no resolution to the negotiations between AT&T Sportsnet and Cox Communications.
The two sides have been trying to strike a deal to put AT&T Sportsnet on the Cox system so local subscribers can watch the Golden Knights.
A Cox spokesperson said Wednesday there was nothing new to report.
AT&T Sportsnet is also negotiating with Centurylink to get on that company’s Prism TV. The network is currently available to Southern Nevada residents who have Directv or Dish Network and subscribe to the premium sports package.
Long odds
The Westgate Las Vegas Superbook released its latest NHL futures, and to no one’s surprise the Golden Knights are at the bottom of every wagering category.
The Knights and Vancouver are 200-1 to win the Pacific Division (Anaheim is the favorite at 5-4). The Knights’ total over-under for regular season points is 68 1/2, the lowest in the NHL.
Mask contest winners
Shawn Hickey of Las Vegas was the grand-prize winner in the fan contest to design goaltender Calvin Pickard’s mask. Hickey’s design featured a medieval knight overlooking the Las Vegas Strip with a Golden Knights logo on the crown of the mask. He will receive a jersey and a photo op with Pickard.
The other finalists — all from Las Vegas — were Emily Blackwell, Anthony Colasuono, Jeannette Hall, Matthew King, AJ Presas and Eric Selvig. Each will receive an autographed puck and a photo op with Pickard.
Contact Steve Carp at scarp@ reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow @stevecarprj on Twitter.