This season, we’ve discussed, tweeted, and written about Vegas’ defense’s uncharacteristic inconsistencies. Overall, the Golden Knights’ defensive unit is still considered among the league’s best, but there have been a few more breakdowns this season than in years past. Statistics can only show so much when it comes to blueliners, but this season’s giveaway numbers are head-scratching.
Most Giveaways By NHL Defensemen
1) MacKenzie Weegar: 141 GvA
2) Erik Karlsson: 129 GvA
3) Evan Bouchard: 124 GvA
4) Mikhail Sergachev: 117 GvA
5) Travis Sanheim: 116 GvA
12) Alex Pietrangelo: 105 GvA
13) Noah Hanifin: 104 GvA
35) Shea Theodore: 92 GvA
Even more jarring are VGK’s giveaway numbers this year compared to years past.
| 24-25 | 23-24 | 22-23 | 21-22 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Pietrangelo | 105 | 40 | 52 | 56 |
| Noah Hanifin | 104 | 67 | 53 | 62 |
| Shea Theodore | 92 | 22 | 24 | 58 |
| Brayden McNabb | 76 | 24 | 30 | 28 |
| Zach Whitecloud | 66 | 23 | 25 | 26 |
| Nic Hague | 53 | 23 | 25 | 23 |
As you can see, some of VGK’s most reliable defensemen have turned the puck over much more than they have in years past. Since 2017, Shea Theodore is 38th with only 2.11 giveaways per game. This season, Theodore has the 16th most turnovers per 60 with 4.21 GvA/60. Same goes for Alex Pietrangelo. Beginning with 2017-18, Pietrangelo was averaging a paltry 1.87 giveaways per 60 minutes. Now he’s handing the puck over to his opponents 4.13 times per game. There’s no way around it; it’s a concern for Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy.
Noah Hanifin, under contract until 2032, has seen his turnover rate slightly increase this season as well. Hanifin turns the puck over 3.86 times per 60 minutes, whereas his career average is 3.33. However, since his arrival to Las Vegas, his average has noticeably gone up.
(Credit: NHL.com)
So, are these inflated numbers enough to worry about come April, May and hopefully June?
VGK Defensemen Postseason Giveaways Per 60
- Noah Hanifin: 0.73 GvA/60
- Zach Whitecloud: 1.59 GvA/60
- Nic Hague: 2.14 GvA/60
- Alex Pietrangelo: 2.38 GvA/60
- Shea Theodore: 2.50 GvA/60
- Brayden McNabb: 2.56 GvA/60
All three of VGK’s workhorses are giving the biscuit away much less than their overall career averages. Certainly, it’s a sign that all are more protective of the puck in the postseason and are less likely to make a risky entrance or pass. Which likely alleviates Cassidy’s stress levels.
(Credit: NHL.com)
Come April 20th, either the Minnesota Wild or St. Louis Blues will take their best crack against Vegas in the first round. In six games against St. Louis, the turnover ratio climbed considerably for certain VGK players. Against his former club, Pietrangelo turned the puck over seven times in five games or 3.45 per match. Theodore wasn’t much more careful with the puck either. In four contests since 2023, the left-handed d-man averaged 3.52 GvA/60. In no world, can the Golden Knights win a series if their two best blueliners are combining for seven giveaways a game. Thankfully, those numbers only represent the regular season.
(Credit: NHL.com)
Since 2023, Vegas’ defense has been much cleaner against Minnesota. Both Pietrangelo and Theodore are only combining for four giveaways per game. Same goes for when the two Western Conference clubs met in the 2021 playoffs. Pietrangelo was below his postseason average in giveaways with 1.80, while Theodore maintained his median with 2.52 vs the Wild in May of 2021.
You look at this stretch of games, we had a really good March against predominately Eastern teams. But with the West, it’s in the back of our minds. It’s been Winnipeg, Edmonton, and LA came in here. These are the teams we’ve got to go through. So that’s the concern that we’ll have to go in and address with the group and I did after the game. -Bruce Cassidy
I’ve floated the idea that some players could be self-preserving themselves for the postseason, so they’re at their best for the opening round. As Golden Knights fans have seen, It’s a grueling two months to win a Stanley Cup championship. Maintaining a healthy roster can be a major factor in the team’s success. As we read yesterday, Cassidy is an openly concerned hockey coach. While he hammered his club’s execution and performance against Western Conference contenders, he believes there is room for improvement by late April.
And realistically, will anyone care that Pietrangelo or Theodore flubbed a play in February, when they are +20 in the playoffs?
