Nolan Patrick Ruled Out For 2022-23 NHL Season
The hits just keep coming for the Golden Knights. Vegas already has three players that will sit on LTIR for the entire 2022-23 season. Nolan Patrick is the newest name joining the list that includes Shea Weber (that one was obvious) and Robin Lehner (who was just ruled out after hip surgery).
Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Sun has the following:
“It’s widely expected that forward Nolan Patrick ($1.2 million cap hit) will also wind up on LTIR due to an ongoing upper-body issue that has been troublesome since early last season. The savings from his and Lehner’s contracts would create another $6.2 million in relief, more than enough to pay remaining free agents Nic Hague and Jake Leschyshyn.”
The offseason for Vegas wasn’t exactly an eventful one but it was one that got the job done. Glass man Max Pacioretty was sent to Carolina and got hurt within five minutes. A torn Achilles has already ruled Pacioretty out for a majority of the season. You can call it bad luck. I think it’s karma. Either way, that move opened the door to have Nic Roy and Keegan Kolesar return.
Nic Hague and Jake Leschyshyn also need new contracts. Vegas should have more than enough to bring those two back with plenty of room to spare. It should also be enough money to sign a veteran goalie such as Braden Holtby if they so choose. Vegas likely should do something following the injury to Lehner.
As far as Patrick is concerned, the trade won’t go down as a bad one. Cody Glass just flat out stinks. Ryan Ellis is a major cap hit and has barely played with Philadelphia. Unfortunately, we may have seen the last of Patrick. The man that was picked ahead of Cale Makar may as well hang it up. I can’t say it’s surprising but the fact that Patrick has already been ruled out tells you all you need to know.
If Vegas is going to make some additions, Sonny Milano, Paul Stastny, PK Subban, and Phil Kessel could be names to watch.
FUN FACT: The second to last goal Patrick scored with Vegas was a game I went to. I’d like to think I helped him bring that PA connection to the table. If the Knights hired me, maybe Patrick actually has a future in the league.
