Training camp is a busy time for every NHL organization, but the Vegas Golden Knights had one of the more active camps that will shape the course of the 2018-19 season. A major trade, a long-awaited signing, seven preseason matchups and more than a few surprises came out of camp and it's left the Golden Knights in a position to hit the ground running in the regular season.
Sept. 8: Vegas Rookie Faceoff Day One
To kick off rookie camp, the Golden Knights hosted the Vegas Rookie Faceoff presented by NextGen at City National Arena. Six NHL clubs sent their rookie teams to compete in the Faceoff and the young players showcased their talents throughout the tournament. On the first day, the Golden Knights outlasted the Colorado Avalanche with a 7-6 win thanks to three points from Las Vegas native Gage Quinney. Nic Hague, Reid Duke, Erik Brannstrom and Cody Glass each had two points in the game.
Sept. 9: Vegas Rookie Faceoff Day Two
On the second day of the tournament, Vegas came up a goal short against the San Jose Sharks. Hague posted two goals for the second game in a row and the team geared up to bounce back on the final day of the tournament.
Training Camp Timeline
Sept. 9: Vegas Acquires Max Pacioretty
Just after the second game of the Rookie Faceoff concluded, the Golden Knights announced the acquisition of forward Max Pacioretty from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Tomas Tatar, Nick Suzuki and a second-round draft pick.
Sept. 10: Pacioretty Signs Extension
The morning after being traded to Vegas, Pacioretty signed a four-year extension with the Golden Knights that will keep him in Vegas through the 2022-23 season.
Sept. 11: Vegas Rookie Faceoff Day Three
Vegas wrapped up the Rookie Faceoff with an impressive 7-2 win against the Los Angeles Kings. Quinney, Glass and Keegan Kolesar combined for five goals and five assists in the contest and the Golden Knights closed out the tournament with an exclamation point for the home fans.
Sept. 12: Pacioretty Arrives In Vegas
A warm welcome awaited Pacioretty when he arrived in Vegas for training camp. He met the team on the ice before speaking to the media about his exciting change of scenery. He spent the rest of the day visiting an elementary school, touring the city by helicopter and seeing his name in lights on the marquees around town.
Sept. 16: Preseason Game One: Golden Knights 7, Coyotes 2
Vegas made a statement in its first game of the preseason with a 7-2 win against the Arizona Coyotes. Pacioretty played his first game as a Golden Knight and scored in the first period. Jonathan Marchessault registered two goals while William Karlsson, Jake Bischoff, Hague and Brannstrom each scored one goal.
Sept. 18: Preseason Game Two: Golden Knights 5, Avalanche 1
Brannstrom, Tomas Hyka and Paul Stastny had two points each as the Golden Knights won their first road game of the preseason. Zach Fucale made 24 saves in goal for Vegas in his first game as a Golden Knight.
Sept. 20: Preseason Game Three: Golden Knights 7, Kings 2
The line of Karlsson, Marchessault and Reilly Smith dominated in a 7-2 win in Los Angeles. They combined for 10 points as Oscar Dansk held down the fort in the Vegas net.
Sept. 22: Preseason Game Four: Golden Knights 5, Sharks 4 (SO)
Goals from Oscar Lindberg and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare helped to erase a two-goal deficit in the third period as the Golden Knights earned a shootout win in San Jose. Brannstrom walked around goalie Martin Jones for the shootout-winner.
Sept. 24: Preseason Game Five: Avalanche 5, Golden Knights 3
Vegas came up two goals short against Colorado in their only loss of the preseason. Pacioretty, Bischoff and Brad Hunt scored for the Golden Knights.
Sept 24: Theodore Signs Seven-Year Deal
After sitting out of the beginning of training camp, defenseman Shea Theodore signed a new contract with the Golden Knights. The 23-year-old blueliner inked a deal worth $36.4 million over seven years.
Sept. 28: Preseason Game Six: Golden Knights 2, Kings 0
In his first start of the preseason, Marc-Andre Fleury dazzled as the Golden Knights shutout the Kings at T-Mobile Arena. Fleury made 26 saves to preserve the win. Ryan Reaves and Brayden McNabb each hit the back of the net for Vegas.
Sept. 30: Preseason Game Seven: Golden Knights 5, Sharks 2
The Golden Knights scored three shorthanded goals in a 5-2 win against San Jose to end the preseason. Tomas Nosek's pair of penalty-kill tallies helped power Vegas to the win in their final tune-up game before the regular season.
Oct. 1: #VegasStrong
In remembrance of the tragedy that occurred in Las Vegas one year ago, the Golden Knights made multiple appearances in the community to meet with first responders, survivors, law enforcement officers and Mandalay Bay staff. The team brought joy to those affected by the events of October 1, 2017 and multiple players donated blood at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
