Brayden McNabb’s Return Could Be the Spark the Golden Knights Need
The Vegas Golden Knights have been in a rough patch lately-dropping seven of their last eight games heading into Wednesday-and the timing couldn’t be worse with the Olympic break looming. But there’s a glimmer of good news coming out of the locker room: veteran defenseman Brayden McNabb is expected to return to the lineup once play resumes after the break, according to head coach Bruce Cassidy.
While fans are still anxiously awaiting updates on William Karlsson, Cassidy confirmed that McNabb is on track to rejoin the team immediately after the hiatus. Brandon Saad and Colton Sissons are also inching closer to returns, while Karlsson and Brett Howden remain week-to-week. Goaltender Carter Hart still needs to get back on the ice before a clearer timeline can be established for his return.
Let’s be clear-McNabb isn’t going to light up the scoresheet. He’s only posted two goals and one assist across 38 games this season.
But that’s never been his calling card. His value lies in the dirty work, the grind-it-out defensive plays that don’t always show up on the highlight reel but are absolutely vital to a team’s success.
McNabb has racked up 98 blocked shots and 63 hits this season, numbers that place him among Vegas’s most reliable stay-at-home defensemen. Add in 13 takeaways, and you start to see why his absence has been felt so acutely during the team’s recent slide. He’s the type of player who makes life miserable for opposing forwards trying to set up shop in front of the net.
And that’s exactly where Vegas has struggled in recent weeks-protecting the slot and limiting high-danger chances. Without McNabb, the Golden Knights have had trouble sealing off the middle of the ice, leaving their goaltenders exposed to second-chance opportunities and net-front chaos. McNabb brings structure, anticipation, and a steady presence that helps the entire defensive unit settle into their roles.
One player who’ll especially benefit from McNabb’s return? Shea Theodore.
When paired together, Theodore and McNabb have consistently formed one of the Golden Knights’ most dependable duos. Theodore’s ability to jump into the rush and move the puck is amplified when he has McNabb covering the defensive end with poise and physicality.
It’s a pairing that balances skill and grit, and it’s something Vegas has sorely missed during this stretch of inconsistent play.
McNabb’s return also couldn’t come at a more critical time. Once the Olympic break ends, Vegas faces a tough five-game road trip that includes matchups against playoff-caliber Eastern Conference teams and a Los Angeles Kings squad that just added Artemi Panarin to the mix. The margin for error is shrinking, and the Golden Knights need all the help they can get on the blue line.
No, this doesn’t erase the fact that William Karlsson is still sidelined. But don’t underestimate the impact of getting McNabb back in the lineup.
He’s not flashy, but he’s foundational-a player whose presence allows others to elevate their game. As Vegas looks to stabilize and push toward the postseason, having McNabb anchoring the back end again might be exactly what this team needs to get back on track.