The Vegas Golden Knights just added some serious size to their blue line, calling up 6-foot-6 defenseman Jaycob Megna from the AHL. With multiple players on injured reserve-including Jeremy Lauzon, William Karlsson, and Adin Hill-Vegas needed reinforcements, and Megna brings exactly that: depth, experience, and a physical presence you can’t miss.
Even though Megna wasn’t part of Tuesday’s line rushes ahead of the Knights’ matchup with the Chicago Blackhawks, his role is clear. He’s here to provide insurance on the back end while the team weathers its current injury stretch. And if another defenseman goes down, Megna’s the next man up.
Now, if you’re looking for offensive fireworks, Megna’s not your guy. Over seven NHL seasons, the Florida native has tallied just four goals and 23 assists.
He’s suited up for a handful of teams-Anaheim, San Jose, Seattle, Chicago, and most recently Florida, where he was part of a Stanley Cup-winning roster, appearing in eight games during that run. But his value doesn’t lie in points; it’s in the dirty work.
Megna’s bread and butter is classic stay-at-home defense. He’s racked up 313 blocked shots and 258 hits in his career-averaging out to 133 blocks and 110 hits over a full 82-game season.
That’s the kind of physical, no-nonsense play that coaches love when the going gets tough. He’s not flashy, but he’s reliable, and that’s exactly what Vegas needs right now.
Think of him as a lighter version of Nicolas Hague-less offensive upside, but still bringing size and defensive stability. And in a system like Vegas’, which thrives on structure and discipline, a player like Megna can quietly make a difference. He won’t be the headline-grabber, but if he steps into the lineup, he’ll do the little things that help win games: clear the crease, kill penalties, and make life miserable for opposing forwards.
At 32, Megna’s not a long-term solution, but he’s a smart, situational piece for a team eyeing another deep playoff run. And let’s be honest-there’s something about adding a towering defenseman that just feels right for a team built on grit and depth.
So while this move might not shake up the standings or light up the highlight reels, it’s a savvy addition. The Golden Knights are playing the long game, and Megna gives them another tool in the toolbox. He’s big, he’s physical, and if his number gets called, he’ll be ready to bring some bite to the blue line.