Canada Sport News

Examining the Influence of Noah Hanifin on the Vegas Golden Knights in the Early Season
  • Analysis, Hockey Analytics
    •

    Examining the Influence of Noah Hanifin on the Vegas Golden Knights in the Early Season

    One week after being traded to the Vegas Golden Knights, Noah Hanifin will return to Calgary on Thursday. A frosty reception from Flames fans could await the defenceman, who had decided not to re-sign with the team after six seasons.

    “I was never holding the Flames hostage,” Hanifin recently told Sportsnet’s Eric Francis, responding to reports that surfaced in the lead-up to the trade deadline. “It was positioned almost like I was doing it to spite Calgary, to hurt them. That was never the case.”

    By acquiring Hanifin (and Tomas Hertl) out of nowhere, the Golden Knights bolstered their reputation as the NHL’s most daring dealmaker. Hanifin has settled behind workhorses Shea Theodore and Alex Pietrangelo through three games, averaging 21:37 of ice time. That is down from 23:46 per game with the Flames. (Hanifin figures to have a reduced role on the power play in Vegas, where Theodore is entrenched as the quarterback of the top unit.)

    Hanifin was active offensively Thursday against the Seattle Kraken, putting a team-high five shots on net on 11 attempts.

    At 5-on-5, Hanifin has taken the injured Alec Martinez’s place on the top pair next to Pietrangelo. The early returns are promising; Vegas has generated 62.2 per cent of expected goals in 45:26 with Hanifin and Pietrangelo on the ice. The Golden Knights have outscored their opponents 4-3 in those minutes. (By comparison, Vegas has generated 45.4 per cent of 5-on-5 expected goals during Martinez and Pietrangelo’s shared ice time.)

    Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy pointed out that his team runs a similar zone defence to the Flames under coach Ryan Huska, which has made Hanifin’s transition easier.

    “That’s a big plus,” Cassidy told reporters. “(Former Flames coach) Darryl (Sutter) was much more man-to-man. … That’s a little less teaching for myself and (assistant coach John Stevens) in that part.”


    When healthy, the Golden Knights have arguably the deepest defence among prospective playoff teams. A top four of Hanifin, Pietrangelo, Theodore and Brayden McNabb would present matchup problems for opponents. That also would allow the 36-year-old Martinez, a steady hand for so many years, to take on easier minutes.

    The next chapter of Hanifin’s career is off to a solid start.

    “The transition’s been really smooth and feeling a lot more comfortable here,” Hanifin told the Golden Knights’ radio broadcast. “On the ice, off the ice, everything’s starting to click a little bit more now.”

    All stats via Sportlogiq

    More from Sportsnet
    Hanifin denies putting Flames in tough spot with trade deadline decision


    Flames’ ugly losing streak shows impact of roster deconstruction

    Noah Hanifin, a defenseman for the Vegas Golden Knights, has been making a significant impact on the team in the early part of the season. Hanifin, who was acquired in a trade with the Calgary Flames during the offseason, has quickly become a key player for the Golden Knights.

    One of the biggest ways that Hanifin has influenced the Golden Knights is through his strong defensive play. Hanifin is known for his ability to shut down opposing forwards and make smart plays in his own end. His presence on the ice has helped to stabilize the Golden Knights’ defense and limit the number of high-quality scoring chances against.

    In addition to his defensive abilities, Hanifin has also been contributing offensively for the Golden Knights. He has shown a knack for jumping into the play and creating scoring opportunities for his teammates. Hanifin’s offensive skills have added another dimension to the Golden Knights’ attack and have helped to create more scoring chances for the team.

    Hanifin’s leadership both on and off the ice has also been a key factor in his influence on the Golden Knights. As a veteran player with playoff experience, Hanifin has been able to provide guidance and support to the younger players on the team. His presence in the locker room has helped to create a positive team culture and has contributed to the team’s early success.

    Overall, Noah Hanifin has had a significant influence on the Vegas Golden Knights in the early part of the season. His strong defensive play, offensive contributions, and leadership have all been key factors in the team’s success. As the season progresses, Hanifin will continue to be a key player for the Golden Knights and will play a crucial role in their pursuit of a playoff spot.