Golden Knights newcomer Laczynski could 2nd-line look in exhibition

It's a next-man-up mentality for the Vegas Golden Knights in the preseason. 

Second-line center William Karlsson was absent from today's practice, leading to newly acquired Tanner Laczynski taking his spot to center the line of captain Mark Stone and Pavel Dorofeyev. 

"They're obviously two great players," Laczynski on skating with Stone and Dorofeyev. "They see the ice and they make plays at a really high level. I'm just trying to be there support them, drive the net, just make simple plays and make it easier for them." 

Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy said Karlsson took a maintenance day today and won't play in Wednesday's preseason game against the Los Angeles Kings at T-Mobile Arena. Cassidy is unsure of his status beyond Wednesday's game. 

As for Laczynski, he doesn't know whether he'll continue playing with Stone and Dorofeyev at practice, play in Wednesday's game or get reassigned to Henderson. Nothing is set in stone during the preseason. 

Cassidy said there's no system for who will play preseason games between the two groups that skated on Tuesday. It's a mix of playing veterans the coaching staff is familiar with and newer players they may want another look at.

"We have a better plan on the guys that been around a little more, the veterans," Cassidy said. "You have an idea what it's going to look like for them, but for some of the other spots we may want a second look at this guy or we've got a good look at this guy."

"There are only so many players you can play that you may want to look at longer, but still get your guys ready (for the season)." 

Laczynski already has a preseason game under his belt, helping the Golden Knights to a 4-2 win over the San Jose Sharks on Sunday. He was +1 on the ice, recording three shots and drew a hooking penalty. 

He has a leg up on a handful of skaters and is looking to keep building on playing in a new system at center into this week. 

"For me, it's a new system, especially defensively as a center, so I just want to keep working at it," Laczynski said. "We had some film today, so it's good to see some that stuff up there and then progressively just try to get better and better." 

Acquired by the Golden Knights from the Philadelphia Flyers in July as a free agent, Laczynski is looking for a consistent stretch in the NHL for the first time since the 2022-23 season. 

That season he played 32 games with the Flyers, recording two goals and two assists. He played the entirety of last season with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, recording 17 goals and 27 assists for 44 points over 49 games.

During the preseason he wants to continue skating hard and staying strong on the puck. 

"One of my battles is just being strong in the puck, that's the root of all of it," Laczynski said. "Being consistent in one of my battles and being hard on the puck. That'll help me."

This preseason, there are more chances to compete for roster spots and one less game as the Golden Knights have six matchups instead of seven.

"It's one less opportunity, probably for some guys," Cassidy said. "One less opportunity for us to get guys that need more games...We do have some newer players we want to look at, but they've played in the league, so it's not like they need five or six games."