Thompson, Brossoit nearing returns for Golden Knights

The Vegas Golden Knights have had trouble when it comes to their goaltenders’ health as of late, but it finally seems to be improving, as both Logan Thompson and Laurent Brossoit are nearing returns.

Both Thompson and Brossoit traveled with the Golden Knights to Vancouver for Tuesday night’s game versus the Vancouver Canucks, while Jiri Patera was re-assigned to the Henderson Silver Knights of the American Hockey League. While neither has been named just yet, it is assumed that one will be in the lineup, though likely in a backup role to Jonathan Quick.

Thompson, 26, was having a Calder Trophy-like season before suffering a lower-body injury over a month ago. Prior to sustaining the injury, he was serving as the team’s number one goaltender and had a 2.66 goals against average (GAA) along with a .914 save percentage (SV%) in 36 games, numbers that were good enough to earn him an All-Star selection. His return is fantastic news for the Golden Knights, who will likely plan to use him and Quick as their top two goaltenders down the stretch.

Brossoit, 29, has had a whirlwind of a season. After undergoing hip surgery in the summer, he was not able to participate in training camp, and as a result, was sent to the AHL for the first time in five seasons. His play started out shaky with the Silver Knights, but improved as time went on, as he managed a 2.72 GAA and a .909 SV% in 23 appearances. He was then recalled at the time of Thompson’s injury, but suffered one of his own later in the month. In his brief three game stint with the Golden Knights he had an impressive 2.20 GAA along with a .936 SV%.

Given that Brossoit has played the majority of the season in the AHL, one would expect that at some point he will be re-assigned again. However, the Golden Knights may not be in an immediate rush to do so, as Adin Hill, who had served as Thompson’s backup through the first half of the season, is battling a lower-body injury of his own. Until he is good to go, they may elect to keep Brossoit around as a third-stringer.