
Vegas Golden Knights News

The Sabres' defensive shuffle continues on Saturday, with Mattias Samuelsson drawing back into the lineup to replace Robert Hagg on Saturday afternoon.

Hagg has played in 12 straight games but will be a healthy scratch vs. the Islanders on Tuesday. Mark Pysyk will draw back into the lineup to replace him.


Stone has been battling a back issue all season, so he'll get some time to rehab. The move also clears cap space for the Golden Knights to activate Jack Eichel (neck) ahead of his debut on Wednesday. Golden Knights GM said that it's impossible for the team to predict how long they will be without Stone but that they are hopeful that surgery will not be required.

Eichel was acquired from the Sabres in early November and has been cleared to make his debut on Wednesday after missing the first four and a half months following neck surgery. To make room for Eichel, the Golden Knights had to put Mark Stone (back) on LTIR. Eichel will start on the top line with Max Pacioretty and Evgenii Dadonov in his debut, as well as the top power-play unit.

Nick Cousins is week-to-week with a lower-body injury, so Smith comes up from the AHL and should play in the bottom-6 on Tuesday. Smith has spent most of the season in the AHL, posting 10 goals and 12 assists (22 points) in 33 games with Milwaukee.


The Golden Knights are in the second half of a back-to-back and Stone will not be available against the Flames. Evgeni Dadonov will likely move up to into the top-6 to replace Stone.


Eichel removed the no-contact jersey and was a full participant in Monday's practice. Eichel skated on the "fifth" line with Nolan Patrick and Michael Amadio, so he's not ready to play yet, but he is nearing his Golden Knights debut.




McNabb has been with the Golden Knights since the beginning, averaging four goals, 11 assists, 87 shots, 215 hits and 166 blocked shots per 82 games in four and half seasons with Vegas. McNabb was set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.




Hill will not be available for Wednesday's game in Washington, so James Reimer will start and Zach Sawchenko will serve as the backup. Hill should be considered questionable heading into the Sharks' back-to-back on Saturday and Sunday.

