Why Shea Theodore Deserves a Permanent Spot in the Golden Knights’ Shootout Rotation
Shea Theodore has been many things for the Vegas Golden Knights since their inaugural season - a steady presence on the blue line, a puck-moving defenseman with offensive upside, and yes, one of the Original Misfits. But there’s one role where he’s consistently flown under the radar: shootout specialist. And after Tuesday night’s win over the Chicago Blackhawks, it’s getting harder to ignore just how valuable he can be in that department.
Theodore sealed the deal in Vegas’ first shootout win of the season with a smooth, confident backhand - a move that’s become something of a signature for him. It wasn’t flashy, but it was clinical. And it was a reminder of what the Golden Knights have been missing by not including him in their primary shootout rotation.
So far this season, head coach Bruce Cassidy has leaned on a trio of Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner, and Pavel Dorofeyev in shootouts. But Theodore, who boasts a career shootout success rate of 42.9%, has been left waiting in the wings - despite having a better conversion rate than most of his forward counterparts.
Let’s put that into perspective. Among the current rotation, only Marner has ever posted a perfect shootout season, and that was back in 2023-24.
Eichel and Dorofeyev have had their moments, but their numbers don’t exactly scream "automatic." Meanwhile, Theodore has quietly built a resume that suggests he should be a go-to option when the game is on the line.
And Tuesday night was just more proof.
His backhand finish wasn’t just effective - it was vintage Theodore. Calm under pressure, deceptive in execution, and most importantly, reliable.
That move may be well-known by now, but that doesn’t make it any easier to stop. Goalies have seen it, studied it, and still can’t consistently defend it.
That kind of predictability - the good kind - is exactly what you want in a shootout scenario.
There’s also a larger issue at play here for Vegas: their recent shootout struggles. Prior to Tuesday, the Golden Knights were winless in the shootout this season. And while there are multiple factors at play - including aging legs that may not hold up as well in the high-speed, open-ice chaos of 3-on-3 overtime - the shootout decisions themselves deserve scrutiny.
Cassidy is known for making bold lineup changes when things aren’t clicking. He’s not afraid to shuffle lines, bench veterans, or ride the hot hand. So the question becomes: why not apply that same philosophy to the shootout?
Yes, there have been tough breaks. A video review on a Jack Eichel attempt, shaky goaltending in the skills competition - these things happen.
But when you're leaving one of your most effective shootout weapons on the bench, you're not exactly stacking the odds in your favor. And in a league where every point matters, especially in the ultra-competitive Western Conference, that could be the difference between home-ice advantage and hitting the road in the playoffs.
Theodore has earned the right to be in that top-three rotation. Not just because of his numbers, but because of what he brings in those high-pressure moments - poise, precision, and a move that gets results. It’s time to stop treating him like a shootout afterthought and start using him like the asset he is.
Vegas is a city built on calculated risks. And right now, rolling with Theodore in the shootout isn’t a gamble - it’s just smart hockey.