Shea Theodore Developing Into Top Defenseman For Golden Knights

The Anaheim Ducks were faced with a terrible decision. The Vegas Golden Knights were faced with a wonderful opportunity.
The Ducks, based on the age of their core players, were in win-now mode and had salary cap issues on the eve of the expansion draft. They couldn't, in their view, lose a player key to their championship ambitions. And they needed cap relief.
GM Bob Murray looked at his depth chart and eventually deemed one of his blueline prospects as expendable. He agreed to trade Shea Theodore to Golden Knights GM George McPhee, if McPhee would select Clayton Stoner and his $3.25 million cap hit in the expansion draft.
For Murray, it was the cost of chasing a championship. For McPhee, it was the opportunity to grab a foundation piece for his team which he would have for years to come.

Theodore is that rarest of commodities. A 22-year-old defenseman who can skate better than almost everyone in the NHL and he'd already got 114 regular season NHL games under his belt as well as 30 Stanley Cup playoff matches.
Theodore grew before the eyes of Vegas Golden Knights fans seemingly every game this season. He's on the verge of being a top pairing defender who can operate a power play and keep the opposition's top line off the board.
"I knew a lot more about him than when I first saw him at training camp this season. He had raw, God-given ability and I think his skill level with the puck, his skating ability were all high," said Golden Knights assistant coach Ryan McGill, who runs the VGK D-corps.
"I think for me, his biggest improvement has been the six inches between his ears. That's a huge compliment because it's not easy being a young defenseman in the NHL and for him at 21 years old to develop better consistency is a huge attribute. If he takes the steps properly and not try to get too far ahead of himself, he'll be a hell of a player. I think what he's done is he hasn't tried to get too far ahead of himself. I think that's why he's had success. He's had some hiccups like any other defenseman would have, but man oh man, he's got the defensive ability to play in every situation. There's not much to his frame, but he is a strong individual. When he is a determined player on the ice without the puck, he's dynamic."
Theodore had six goals and 23 assists in 61 games this season and has raised his play in the playoffs scoring two goals and three assists in 10 games.
McGill's job has been two-fold this season. To create competitive pairings which give Vegas the opportunity to win in the here and now but also to develop younger players like Theodore and Colin Miller. He's done a brilliant job and Theodore has benefited greatly from McGill's tutelage.
"Shea uses his ability to create angles and uses his stick to get the puck away from the opposition. He doesn't have to be a physical presence in the corner," explained McGill. "When he gets in the way and uses his body for his strength, he's good. But the biggest asset for him in the corner when he's trying to get the puck back is angles and popping pucks and getting the puck away from them and separating the man and separating on transition. He's done a really great job of understanding that we're not here to make him a physical guy in the corners. The biggest thing is to be efficient and outsmart your opponents, and he's really taken that to task."
Theodore sat down with us this week and here are some highlights from that chat:
Thoughts on the difference between you as a player right now and you this time last year…
I think just the confidence level. I think when you start playing well, after a while you kind of get used to it and you get into a rhythm. I feel like the sky is the limit right now.
Thoughts on how close you are to being the player you want to be…
I'm getting close. I feel comfortable out there, I feel like I'm starting to be consistent in the plays that I'm going to make. At the same time, eliminating some of the mistakes that happen.
Thoughts on if you're getting better at playing in your own end…
Yeah, I am. I've watched a lot of video with Coach McGill and it's the little details through repetitions and learning from mistakes. It's the only way you can learn from those kinds of situations. Stuff happens so fast and you can't really plan it perfectly. But over time, you get used to it and you can kind of look for those type of things. It's really coming along.
Thoughts on how you make sure you're not too heavy when trying to get stronger in order to keep your speed…
That was a big thing. Some teams wanted me heavy, they wanted me at 195-200. I feel a little slow, you come into camp too heavy sometimes. It kind of hampers on your skating and speed. It's definitely a tight mix. I've talked with our strength coach here, he's on plan. I don't need to gain much weight, just a little bit of strength and a lot of speed.
Thoughts on if that's the next step in your development, to be a little more physical…
I think so. I think it comes with time with knowing what areas to be physical. Right now, I'm more just going to kind of attack the puck, all about lifting sticks and all that. Size will come and I'm going to work on that in the offseason.
Thoughts on what Deryk Engelland means to you…
He's meant a lot, he's been great all year. To play with a guy with his experience, he's been around a long time. He's helped my game quite a bit, and you know, I'd like to say I have helped his a bit as well.
Thoughts on what he says to you…
Nothing too much. I feel like there's a lot of little things on the ice that he helps out with. And then he's just such a good guy off the ice to joke around with and bug here and there.
Thoughts on if there are some traits that he has that you look up to …
Definitely. When you look at his speech he gave on opening night, that just gives you goosebumps. That shows what kind of a guy he is out of his heart. How much this community and everything means to him. I feel like that's definitely something you can take looking from a guy like that.
Thoughts on what your favorite part of hockey is…
Just the thrill of playing. I feel like playoff time, when it comes around, you're antsy. You're waiting all day. Sometimes you can hardly nap in the afternoon waiting for the game. Some of those moments where it's a tied game or you're down by one, it's crunch time. The adrenaline is going, and I love it. Nothing can beat playoff hockey. It's the most fun time of the year and that's why winning is so special.