The Henderson Silver Knights came out of the gate looking like a team on the rise. Early in the season, they were sitting pretty near the top of the AHL’s Pacific Division, riding a wave of momentum and high-end prospect talent. Carl Lindbom was holding things down between the pipes, Braeden Bowman was lighting it up up front, and for a moment, it felt like they were ready to join their big-league counterparts - the Vegas Golden Knights - at the top of the Nevada hockey food chain.
But as quickly as things clicked, the wheels have started to wobble.
Now sitting seventh in the Pacific with a 9-8-1-0 record and just 19 points, the Silver Knights have dropped seven of their last 10. That early-season spark?
It’s flickering. And a big reason why is simple: they’re missing their top-end talent.
Let’s start with Lindbom. The Swedish netminder was a rock last season, posting a 2.65 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage over 36 games.
This year, he’s barely seen AHL ice - just two games - but he’s been brilliant in that limited time, boasting a 1.00 GAA and a .958 save percentage. Sure, it’s a small sample size, but it’s a strong reminder of what he brings when he’s in the crease.
Then there’s Bowman. The undrafted rookie has been one of the most intriguing developments in the Vegas system.
In just 12 games with Henderson, he racked up seven goals and five assists - solid numbers for a first-year pro. But his game has translated even better at the NHL level.
With four goals and three assists in 10 games for the Golden Knights, he’s proving he belongs. Projections have him pacing toward 27 goals and 20 assists over 67 games, which would make him a legitimate contributor in Vegas’s top-nine forward group.
So, will either of these guys be back in Henderson anytime soon?
If there’s a candidate to return, it’s Lindbom. Vegas has depth in net, with Carter Hart providing a veteran presence and stability.
Lindbom, while impressive, could benefit from more reps at the AHL level - and Henderson could certainly use the help. The Silver Knights have been rotating goaltenders all season, including stints from Hart and Jesper Vikman.
Getting Lindbom back could bring some much-needed consistency to the crease. And let’s be honest - there’s nothing wrong with adding a little Swedish flair back into the mix.
Bowman, on the other hand, might be harder to pry away from the NHL roster. He’s shown he can hang with the big boys.
Whether it’s on the power play, where he’s made a home in the slot, or skating alongside top-line players like Jack Eichel, Bowman has looked comfortable and confident. His hockey IQ and positioning have turned heads, and right now, there’s little reason for Vegas to send him back down.
Still, even if one or both return, Henderson’s issues go deeper than just missing a couple of key pieces.
This roster needs more from its current group. Reinforcements are great, but they can’t do it alone.
Forwards like Mathieu Cataford and Matyas Sapovaliv have to step up. Cataford has just one goal and four assists so far, while Sapovaliv has three goals and four assists.
That’s not going to cut it if the Silver Knights want to climb back into the playoff picture. Depth scoring is critical - not just to take pressure off the defense and goaltending, but to keep games competitive when the top line gets neutralized.
It’s a familiar theme across the organization. The Golden Knights themselves have dealt with similar issues this season, benching veterans like Reilly Smith and Brandon Saad in search of a spark. That lack of offensive balance is trickling down to the AHL level, where Henderson is feeling the squeeze.
The good news? There’s still time to turn things around.
Whether it’s Lindbom returning to stabilize the net or Cataford and Sapovaliv finding another gear, the Silver Knights have options. But they’ll need more than just a couple of prospects to steady the ship - they need a collective step forward from the entire roster.
Because in a division as competitive as the Pacific, falling behind early can be a tough hole to climb out of. And if Henderson wants to get back to where they started - challenging the likes of the Tahoe Knight Monsters and keeping pace with Vegas - they’ll need to rediscover that early-season identity. Fast.