Michael Amadio: Potential VGK Hidden Gem?
Michael Amadio is on fire. I’m just not sure how long it’s going to last. Jack Eichel has now been activated off of IR but Amadio should be praised for how he filled in. Has Amadio proven to be a hidden gem? Should we take his hot streak seriously?
Amadio has been referred to as Plan E by head coach Bruce Cassidy. Amadio was placed on Vegas’ top line on December 19th and the former Leafs waiver claim has proven to be up for the task. In seven games on that Vegas top line, Amadio has five goals and four assists. Playing with Mark Stone and Chandler Stephenson continues to be a gift that keeps on giving.
“(Amadio) does a great job of finding those loose holes,” Stone said. “He’s done a good job putting the puck in the back of the net, so (Stephenson) and I are trying to find him.”
“He’s always had it,” center Chandler Stephenson said to AT&T SportsNet. “He has a lot of skill, he’s really smart. He just kind of flew under the radar. Wasn’t really getting a chance. Now he’s getting a chance, and you can see what he can do.”
With Eichel’s return to the lineup, Amadio likely slides back down to the third or fourth line. Regardless, I think it may be safe he’s earned a spot on this roster. There have been plenty of nights that Amadio has been named a healthy scratch. Maybe the wing depth scorer that Vegas has been searching for is already on the roster.
The Knights need one more guy that can put the puck in the back of the net. The misfit line when healthy appears to be dialed in. The Knights need an upgrade over Phil Kessel in the worst way possible. When everyone on this VGK team is healthy, could it be Amadio that takes the spot on the third line over Kessel? I don’t see how that can’t be the case right now. He’s earned a spot.
