Jack Eichel and Ivan Barbashev are mainstays on the top line but have had several right-wingers throughout the Vegas Golden Knights' first 27 games.
Jack Eichel and Ivan Barbashev are mainstays on the top line but have had several right-wingers throughout the Vegas Golden Knights' first 27 games.
Prior to the start of the season, it was believed that Victor Olofsson would get the first opportunity to skate on the top line due to his past chemistry with Eichel when they were both on the Buffalo Sabres. Olofsson skated with Eichel and Barbashev throughout pre-season, but on opening night, it was Mark Stone flanking the two Golden Knights' leading scorers.
HC Bruce Cassidy's decision paid off, with the trio putting up offensive franchise records. The line had almost no blips in their play before Stone went down with an injury.
Unfortunately for Olofsson, he had already sustained a long-term injury and couldn't take Stone's spot on the top line. Next in line were Alexander Holtz and offseason two-way signing Cal Burke. The two right-handed wingers had their moments with Eichel and Barbashev, but neither seemed like the right fit.
Cassidy had one more option to play next to Eichel and Barbashev, which was 24-year-old Russian winger Pavel Dorofeyev. Dorofeyev and Olofsson share similar qualities, and this is a major reason why he succeeded in playing next to Eichel. They're both shot-first forwards, left-handed and understand where the open ice is.
Cassidy has enjoyed the options of Olofsson and Dorofeyev recently, giving both of them chances to play on the top line. Yesterday, it was Olofsson's turn, and he took advantage picking up two assists against the Anaheim Ducks.
With Stone's return to the lineup expected very soon, Cassidy will once again have to make a decision on who plays on the top line. He can revert back to the trio that started the season and let his top line dominate, or he could put Stone with William Karlsson or Tomas Hertl and spread out the offence.
The season is just a third of the way over, giving Cassidy plenty of time to try different things, but Eichel's right wing will remain a question mark until he makes the final decision. Without Jonathan Marchessault, the position remains open.
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