Marc Gatcomb’s first preseason look with the Vegas Golden Knights gave fans exactly the kind of snapshot they wanted: a fourth-liner who brings heat, throws his weight around, and chipped in on the scoresheet too.
Vegas beat the Los Angeles Kings 4-2 on Saturday, and while a lot of the buzz centered on prospects like Viliam Kmec and Jackson Hallum, Gatcomb found a way to get noticed. He picked up a point, and that was only part of the story. He was also finishing checks, working the boards, and even dropping the gloves with the Kings.
That physical edge is nothing new. Gatcomb has made his name on hits over his two NHL seasons, and the numbers back it up.
He has 341 career hits, with an 82-game average of 318. Last season with the Islanders, he posted 192 hits after putting up 149 in 2024-25.
What stood out on Saturday, though, was how he used that strength as the game went on. Fans saw a player who fit the system and did more than simply collect an assist. He helped set up Viliam Kmec’s first-period goal, giving his night a little offensive touch to go with the bruising work.
That blend is exactly what makes him interesting for Vegas’ lower lines. The Golden Knights traded away their biggest hitter, Keegan Kolesar, during the summer, creating $2.5 million in cap space. Gatcomb is on the books for $875,000 over two seasons, which would make him a bargain if he keeps bringing that kind of impact.
For a team that has built its identity around disciplined cap management, that matters. If Gatcomb can keep stacking performances like this one, he could become a useful piece for Vegas - the kind of low-cost player who helps the roster in more ways than one.
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Mark Stone News Just Changed Vegas Camp's Biggest Roster Questions
Mark Stones future stopped being part of the conversation in Las Vegas when he signed a two-year contract extension that keeps him with the Golden Knights and comes with a full no-move clause. For a team opening training camp with 66 players in the mix for 23 roster spots, that kind of certainty matters, especially when the early days of camp are all about sorting through depth, roles and who fits where.
The bigger question now shifts to the rest of the roster battles, where every practice and exhibition look carries extra weight. Prospect Juho Piiparinen also got a special invitation to camp as he continues his development, a reminder that Vegas is still balancing present-day decisions with longer-term planning while the competition for places begins in earnest. [Read more 🡒]
Golden Knights Got A Telling Prospect Answer In Saturdays Win
Adin Hill gave the Golden Knights a useful preseason look Saturday, turning aside 17 of 19 shots in a 4-2 win over the Kings. In a game that also featured several younger players trying to make their case, Jackson Hallum and Viliam Kmec supplied key goals, giving Vegas a little more to think about as camp continues.
Trevor Connelly also stayed active with three shots on goal, even if the scoresheet did not follow. For a team that is always balancing immediate NHL readiness with long-term prospect development, these sorts of nights matter because they hint at who is pushing, who is settling in, and which names are starting to separate themselves in the early stages of the preseason. [Read more 🡒]