Eyes on development as Golden Knights open preseason against Kings

Ryan Craig’s voice is already gone.

The impact of three-a-days has already taken a toll on the Vegas Golden Knights coach. Hot drink in hand at the podium following his second day of training camp, Craig has to get ready to call lines and defense pairs in an NHL game for the first time.

The Knights open preseason on Saturday against the Los Angeles Kings at Toyota Arena, home of the Kings’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Ontario Reign.

Crypto.com Arena, the Kings’ home arena, is hosting UFC 331 on Saturday.

It’s appropriate the first game is at an AHL arena. The Knights are expected to ice a younger lineup through the first two games of the four-game exhibition slate.

Craig wanted a more physical practice Friday to emulate the feel for a game. The players not playing on Saturday will have a scrimmage at City National Arena.

“I thought we had good energy today,” Craig said. “It was important that we feel that (physicality) a little bit in a controlled environment before we get going.”

What that roster looks like remains to be seen. The team isn’t expected to announce a gameday roster until the day of.

Top prospect Trevor Connelly could see his first action, as the organization prepares to get an extended look at its 2024 first-round pick.

“We want to make sure we get a look at him,” Craig said.

Those playing Saturday may only have that one chance to show where their game is at.

The Knights will return to practice on Monday following their first round of roster cuts. They will downsize by one group.

Essentially, training camp is over. They’ll get into game mode from here on out.

“We’re looking for certain things (in practice),” Craig said. “I know a lot of these guys out here, so I’m looking for their habits in practice, their detail in the game when we’re doing drills. It shouldn’t be them wading into the drill or trying to figure out the details of the drill. We should see the detail from them.”

Goaltending is also a question going in. Craig said Thursday he envisions Carter Hart and Adin Hill getting two starts each. In years past, this would be a spot for No. 3 goalie Carl Lindbom to play a game.

Now with limited time, it’s about trying to get each goalie enough reps.

“They both need to get reps because we’re going to need them both as core pieces,” Craig said.