September 23, 2026 • 6:02 PM EDT
Updated 2 hours ago
The Vegas Golden Knights are in crunch time. With the regular season just around the corner, they’ve cut their training camp group down to 28 players after a new round of moves. That means the competition for a spot in Vegas is getting real intense.
On Wednesday, Vegas sent nine players to their AHL affiliate in Henderson, while another five hit the waiver wire with hopes of joining the Silver Knights if unclaimed. Injuries are also thinning the group, with three more left on the shelf week-to-week. And for five young prospects, it’s back to junior hockey to polish their games for another year. These decisions matter because they show which players are truly in the mix for NHL ice time — and which need more seasoning.
According to Yahoo Sports, these roster moves get the Golden Knights a lot closer to the group you’ll see on opening night, and they give bettors a clearer sense of who’ll be making an impact in the coming weeks.
This is an important checkpoint for anyone looking to bet on early games or futures. Every cut gives you a better idea of roster stability, team chemistry and which young players could emerge if injuries hit or if the vets start slow. Now’s the time to take a close look at Vegas’s depth chart, especially because injuries could force last-minute changes before the real puck drops.
Here’s what happened in this round of moves:
- 9 players were assigned to AHL Henderson: Mathieu Cataford, Jackson Hallum, Viliam Kmec, Carl Lindbom, Mitch McLain, Matyas Sapovaliv, Tuomas Uronen, Alex Weiermair, and Cameron Whitehead.
- 5 players (Jeremy Davies, Jakub Demek, Joe Fleming, Adam Ginning, Jaycob Megna) were placed on waivers, likely to join Henderson if unclaimed.
- 3 players (Ben Hemmerling, Lukas Cormier, Kai Uchacz) are out week-to-week due to injuries.
- 5 prospects (Sean Burick, Will McLaughlin, Mateo Nobert, Noel Pakarinen, Jonah Sivertson) returned to their junior clubs.
This leaves only 28 guys fighting for spots as the preseason wraps up. If you’re following this team for betting value, that’s a real signal about who’s in the conversation — and who’s likely just a call-up away if things go sideways during the grind of the season.
The Remaining Contenders By Position
Forwards Fighting For Roles
There’s still a healthy group of 16 forwards in camp. Some, like Jack Eichel, Mark Stone and William Karlsson, are locked in, but there are a handful of young or lesser-known guys trying to steal a last-minute roster spot. This means you should pay attention to preseason ice time and line combinations — it can reveal who the coaching staff trusts for real minutes when the games matter.
Plenty Of Blue Line Battles
Ten defensemen are still in the conversation, and while veterans like Shea Theodore and Brayden McNabb offer stability, a few spots are up for grabs. These battles influence special teams usage and, by extension, key prop bets for point and assist totals — if a youngster carves out power play time, you might find some early value.
Netminders Set — But Watch Those Health Updates
Vegas is down to two goaltenders: Carter Hart and Adin Hill. That gives clarity for anyone looking at early Vezina odds, team defense props, or fantasy goalie streaming. But be aware that injuries in camp can quickly force a third-stringer into the fray.
What To Watch In The Last Preseason Tune-Ups
- Lineups are nearly set, but minor tweaks could happen if injuries linger.
- Vegas faces Utah Mammoth next, then wraps up preseason vs San Jose Sharks.
- The last couple of games will show which players are trusted in different situations (special teams, late-game defense, top-line minutes).
- How the final cuts play out could hint at Vegas’s plans for youth development versus going with proven vets.
Key Takeaways For Bettors
- Vegas’s roster is almost locked, boosting stability for season-long bets.
- Monitor injury updates on Hemmerling, Cormier, and Uchacz as lineup decisions loom.
- Players on waivers could still slide back onto the NHL roster if unclaimed.
- Returning prospects and AHL assignments mean depth is strong if call-ups are needed later.
- Watch preseason lineups to see if any surprises earn expanded roles.
- With 28 left, every ice time shift matters for lineup bets, scoring props, and futures.
- Final preseason games could tip off line chemistry or breakout candidates.
More coverage: more NHL headlines, NHL analysis and odds and today’s NHL picks.
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