Jonas Rondbjerg, Grigori Denisenko or Jakub Demek; Which Golden Knight Could Take The Next Step
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The Vegas Golden Knights will lean on the Henderson Silver Knights for depth forwards to start the season and if they face injuries, raising the question about which players are ready to take the next step in their development.
Jonas Rondbjerg, Grigori Denisenko and Jakub Demek were three forwards who spent nearly the entire season with the Silver Knights and had brief stints in the NHL with the Golden Knights.
Rondbjerg played 20 games up in the NHL scoring one goal and three assists. In the AHL, he scored nine goals and 25 points in 48 games. The 25-year-old hasn't carved out the offensive role some thought he could but his 6'2, 194 lbs frame could be a valued asset in the Golden Knights bottom six.
Denisenko is a highly skilled forward who was a first-round pick, 15th overall by the Florida Panthers in 2018. The 23-year-old has put up impressive numbers in every league except the NHL and this year he couldn't register a point in the six games he played in. With the Silver Knights, he scored 20 goals and 56 points in 65 games, leading the team in points. In 32 career NHL games, he's yet to score his first career goal.
Demek is the youngest of the three forwards at just 21 years old. The 6'4, 203 lbs winger had concussion issues in Slovakia before heading over to North America and had two successful seasons in the WHL. In his rookie season in the AHL, he scored seven goals and 16 points in 55 games. Demek was called up to the Golden Knights during the season but didn't dress in any of the games.
Rondbjerg and Demek have the frame to play in the Golden Knights' bottom six that Denisenko doesn't have but Denisenko has the best offensive tool set of the trio.
With injuries and the limited cap space the Golden Knights have to fill out their roster and the three of them could spend time in the NHL.
Rondbjerg and Denisenko are pending RFAs and require contracts this offseason.
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