There haven’t been many positives to playing in San Jose Sharks over the past four or five years. Fortunately, the Golden Knights appear to have found one that they plan on taking advantage of with Tomas Hertl.
Over the last couple years when I was playing in San Jose, I got put with a lot of different guys, and a lot of young guys. I just want to be there for those guys and help them out. That’s a big part of the job for me as this is my 12th year in the league so I should be able to play with anybody that’s with me. -Tomas Hertl
In his first preseason action with the Golden Knights, Hertl started on a line with Nicolas Roy and Alexander Holtz. About halfway through the game, Holtz switched sides and Brendan Brisson joined the line.
Hertl was strong the entire way and it appeared the fit was a bit better with Holtz on the right as opposed to the left.
Nonetheless, it’s helpful that Hertl is used to a revolving door of linemates.
That might have to be the case here too. There’s going to have to be some experimenting simply because he hasn’t played a lot here. -Cassidy
Right now, Cassidy and the Golden Knights seem set on keeping Hertl at what most consider his natural position, center. But as the line shuffle continues, Hertl says he’s more than happy to shift out to the wing.
I’ve played half of my career as a center and half as a winger. I’m just here to win hockey games, so wherever I fit the best I will be ready for it. -Hertl
Holtz, Roy, and Brisson were the first three to get looks but it’s likely Victor Olofsson, Pavel Dorofeyev, and maybe even Mark Stone, Ivan Barbashev, or Brett Howden could see time next to Hertl as well.
Right now it doesn’t matter who we put on the line with him, eventually, it will, but for now we know we’re going to get a good performance out of him and we can just try to find what his best fit is as we go along. For Tomas, worry about your own game, get it where it needs to be. He knows his game better than anybody, he’s been in the league long enough, and I thought his game was very good tonight. -Cassidy
The hope is for something to click quickly as the unknown of Hertl’s ideal linemates leaves the rest of the forward group in constant shuffle. Odds are Hertl only sees one or two more preseason games, so the chances will be limited. Even if nothing clicks between now and October 9th, it’s nice for Vegas to know Hertl has been through this before and it shouldn’t affect his play as much as it could for many others.
