Playoff run leaves Vegas with abbreviated offseason
The Golden Knights’ deep playoff run has one notable downfall — a shorter offseason.
The team’s first day of on-ice practice during training camp for veterans is Sept. 14, meaning the players will have 99 days to rest their bodies. For comparison, teams that didn’t qualify for the playoffs have an extra two months of off time.
“It’s definitely going to be shorter,” Vegas’ Jonathan Marchessault said. “We need to rest first. It’s really important mentally and getting your body right. It’s a long year, so we need to be ready for next season.”
The Golden Knights’ season nearly lasted to the start of free agency, which begins July 1. The entry draft, which is Friday, is even nearer.
“We went so deep that there is a lot of stuff that’s going to happen real quick,” coach Gerard Gallant said. “The draft comes up, development camp comes up and free agency. The season isn’t over yet. The hockey is done, but a lot of stuff goes on.”
While General Manager George Mcphee and his staff are busy preparing for the draft and free agency, the players will get some well-deserved relaxation.
“You have to take care of your body in the summer, and be in good shape because it’s a long season, but there are a lot of ups and downs,” Marchessault said. “We came out at the end so everyone needs to work on their conditioning and be ready.”
Some players need more rest than others. The Golden Knights’
Tonight: Friday and Saturday: July 1: Late June: Mid-september:
NHL Awards Show in Las Vegas
Entry Draft in Dallas
Free agency opens Rookie development camp
Training camp
top line of Marchessault, Reilly Smith and William Karlsson each topped 1,500 minutes of the ice time this season, led by Karlsson with 1,968 minutes (including playoffs). His previous season-high was 1,172 minutes.
Other players dealt with injuries during the playoff run. William Carrier was constantly in and out of the lineup in the postseason with nagging injuries and will now get a chance to let them fully heal or undergo surgery if needed.
“You don’t want to put too much stress on your body in the summer, so you can put a lot on it in the winter,” Carrier said. “I won’t change a single thing about the way that I play. I’m going to bring the same energy, so that won’t change for next year.”
If any player on the Golden Knights knows how to manage the shorter offseason, it’s goaltender Marc-andré Fleury. This was Fleury’s fifth trip to the Stanley Cup Final, and 12th postseason run in his 14-year career.
“I think it’s important to take some time off and let your body rest and heal,” Fleury said. “Spend some time with your family and friends, and then get back to working out again. That’s what we do, so you have to get in shape for training camp, and I’m sure everybody will be ready.”
It’s the first time Fleury is coming off a loss in the Stanley Cup Final since 2008, when he was a spry 23-year-old. He’s learned a lot since then and will use that knowledge to help himself and his teammates during this offseason.
“At that time I was really thinking, ‘We went to the final, so we’re going to go again and again,’ ” he said. “Over the years, you quickly realize how hard it is. It’s not a given that because you make it that far, you’re going to make it again next year. The parity around the league is even better than it was.”