Golden Knights roster in flux ahead of opener against Kraken

The Golden Knights set their initial roster Monday, but they likely still have some maneuvering to do.

There are several questions as to what their first lineup Tuesday against the Seattle Kraken is going to look like thanks to injuries and left wing Mattias Janmark entering the NHL’s COVID-19 protocols.

That means the 23-player group listed on the league’s media website is just a start, but it’s still notable 20-year-old prospect Peyton Krebs remains after receiving a long look in training camp.

Krebs, who skated with the third line Monday, is versatile enough to fill a variety of roles while the Knights work their way back to full health.

“I think he can play center or wing. I think he can play on your fourth line or move up and slot in with first-line guys at different points,” coach Pete DeBoer said. “I think that’s what’s attractive about him as a player is that versatility.”

Krebs’ path to a spot on the initial roster was made clearer thanks to a variety of absences.

Centers Nicolas Roy and Brett Howden, who are considered day to day with injuries, will begin the season on injured reserve, according to the NHL media website. DeBoer said they will not play Tuesday.

Left wing William Carrier, who was kicked in the face with a skate in a preseason game Oct. 5, is in concussion protocol. Janmark’s availability is uncertain, and DeBoer declined to elaborate further on his status. General manager Kelly McCrimmon said the first day of training camp the Knights are 100 percent vaccinated.

“I think anytime you’re throwing the word COVID in a sentence you’re worried about (it being) widespread,” DeBoer said. “And it’s terrifying in a dressing-room setting. Just fingers crossed that he’s alright and we don’t have other guys.”

The Knights, in addition to Roy, Howden, Carrier and Janmark, also did not have left wing Jonathan Marchessault or defenseman Zach Whitecloud at practice Monday. DeBoer said both are expected to be available Tuesday.

Right wing Mark Stone and defenseman Shea Theodore returned to practice. DeBoer said it was a “good sign” for them before the opener.

The Knights only had 10 forwards skate Monday because of the attrition. One was forward prospect Pavel Dorofeyev, who made the initial roster but might not stick for long. Dorofeyev and Jack Dugan, who also was on the roster according to the NHL’s media website, carried the two highest salary-cap hits among the players skating with the Silver Knights.

Calling them up gave the Golden Knights extra salary-cap relief once they placed right wing Alex Tuch on long-term injured reserve.

“I think this time of year, call-ups (and) some of the decisions are cap related,” DeBoer said. “It’s beyond me.”

If Dorofeyev and Dugan are sent back down, the Knights lost a possible call-up option Monday. Center Patrick Brown was claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Flyers.

The 29-year-old was the Silver Knights’ first captain and appeared in 14 playoff games for the Golden Knights over the last two seasons.

“When you’re signing those guys that are depth in the organization, captains in the American League, they’re critical people because they have to be able to help you win NHL games, which he does,” DeBoer said Oct. 4. “But they also have to show the young people in our organization what it’s like to be a pro. It’s a huge job. You have to live it every day the right way and Browny does that. He’s a great guy to have around.”

Kraken update

Seattle has roster questions of its own entering the opener.

Coach Dave Hakstol said Monday forwards Jared McCann, Marcus Johansson and Joonas Donskoi and defenseman Jamie Oleksiak joined forward Calle Jarnkrok in the COVID-19 protocols.

McCann, Jarnkrok and Johansson were expected to start in the Kraken’s top six and Oleksiak was projected to be on the second defense pair.

Bag policy

The Knights said no bags or backpacks will be permitted at T-Mobile Arena, except for small clutches and wallets.

Those items will be manually screened.

Contact Ben Gotz at bgotz@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BenSGotz on Twitter.