Vegas Golden Knights fans are about to get their first real look at Juho Piiparinen.
The Finnish first-round pick is set to make his preseason debut Tuesday against the San Jose Sharks, and there’s plenty of curiosity around what he’ll show right away. The buzz isn’t about Trevor Connelly, whose game fans have already seen at the professional level. This one is about Piiparinen, the newest name on the Knights’ radar and a prospect the organization clearly targeted for a reason.
Piiparinen arrives with a resume that points to a defenseman who can drive play from the back end. Last season with Tappara’s U20 team, he posted a goal and 12 assists in 15 games, and he also spent time with Finland’s international teams in both the WJC-18 league and the WJC-20 league.
The Golden Knights see him as more than just a puck-mover, too. He’s been described as a strong two-way blue liner, and the skill set has already shown up in practice.
Ryan Craig, discussing Piiparinen’s first preseason appearance, said: “He’s come as an advertised from what we’ve seen… A great young man, great skill set. I thought he spit into practices very, very well with whatever group he’s been with- we moved…”
That reputation starts with how he handles the puck. Piiparinen is known for moving it cleanly and quickly, but that’s only part of the picture. He also has a knack for spotting open teammates and delivering the puck exactly where it needs to go, especially when the play is developing in the offensive zone and a high-danger chance is there to be created.
That vision carries over into transition as well. On the rush, he can attack downhill and make plays in odd-man situations or on breakaways, giving his team another layer of pressure from the blue line. It’s the kind of awareness that makes him stand out as a puck-moving defenseman with real offensive upside.
Tuesday offers him a chance to put all of that on display in a game setting for the first time in a Golden Knights sweater. If he can create offense, maybe even chip in an assist or two, it would be a strong opening statement. And with the Sharks on the other side, Piiparinen gets a chance to show his stock in a setting that should matter to everyone in the building.
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Mark Stone, Jack Eichel and William Karlsson have all dealt with injuries that shaped stretches of the clubs recent years, so the early concern around Uchacz and Lavoie lands with some context behind it. Uchacz had built real momentum with his AHL play and looked like a possible add to the Golden Knights lineup before this setback, which makes the timing especially frustrating. For now, the camp picture remains the same in one important way: Vegas is already dealing with the kind of health questions it would rather not have this early. [Read more 🡒]
Avalanche Camp Squeeze Starts With A Young Player Already Sent Out
Preseason roster trimming is already underway around the league, and the Golden Knights are part of the first wave as camp starts to sort contenders from depth options. Around the NHL, the Columbus Blue Jackets, Colorado Avalanche, Los Angeles Kings and Vegas have all begun sending players to minor league affiliates or junior clubs, the kind of early moves that signal training camp is shifting from evaluation to decisions.
For Vegas, the opening cuts are a reminder that the squeeze has begun before the games even count. These first assignments can reshape the rest of camp, clearing ice time for the players still pushing to stay in the mix while also setting the tone for the next round of roster moves that usually follows quickly in September. [Read more 🡒]