By Jordan Long
The Las Vegas Golden Knights will start their first season in the NHL next October. This summer they will have an expansion draft starting on June 17 to fill out their roster. Earlier this week they signed their first player Reid Duke, to an entry-level deal.
Duke was originally drafted by the Minnesota Wild in the 2014 NHL draft. The Wild decided not to sign him to an entry-level contract, making him eligible for the 2016 NHL Draft. Teams passed on Duke, making him a free agent. He spent the preseason with the New York Rangers but was released on September 27th, 2016. After being cut, Duke went back to junior hockey with the Brandon Wheat Kings located in Brandon, Manitoba. They play in the Western Hockey League.
Duke is the Wheat Kings’ best player. He has scored 35 goals and added 32 assists for 67 points. Duke has speed to beat opponents’ defenders for scoring chances which more often than not end up in goals. He is an offensive weapon on both the power play and power play kill.
According to lasvegassun.com, Golden Knights Assistant General Manager Kelly McCrimmon said in a tweet, “When we project Reid, we think his game will evolve as he becomes a pro. I think what’s impressive with Reid is a real high skill level and yet a guy that’s able to play a big, strong, heavy game.”
The Golden Knights might have a star player. Duke is only 21 years old, but hasn’t played a meaningful NHL game. He has all the makings of becoming a star in the NHL. Time will tell.
The Golden Knights next order of business is the expansion draft. Once that is over, the NHL draft will take place in Chicago on June 23 to 24th. After the draft, Duke will attend development camp in late June or early July for the Golden Knights. Training camp for the NHL opens in September. Hopefully Duke can make the roster for the Las Vegas Golden Knights in their first year of existence.
What do you think of the Las Vegas Golden Knights signing Reid Duke?
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