Ice centre returning from AHL

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/02/2021 (1684 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Peyton Krebs has proven he can handle a top-six forward role in the AHL but he will soon be returning to the Winnipeg Ice for his WHL swansong.

Vegas Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon confirmed Tuesday that the 2019 first-round draft pick will play two weekend games for the organization’s AHL Henderson affiliate before returning to Canada.

Krebs, a centre who turned 20 on Jan. 26, has a goal and five points in four games with the Silver Knights.

WHL players and staff from Saskatchewan and Manitoba franchises are to begin self-quarantining Saturday and then will report to the WHL’s East Division hub on Feb. 27. Intradivisional play is slated to begin March 12 with a 24-game schedule.

The NHL-Canadian Hockey League agreement stipulates drafted players in their 18- or 19-year-old seasons can remain in the pro ranks if they’re on the NHL roster. However, they must return to major-junior if they are on the taxi squad or playing for the AHL affiliate.

Another Golden Knights draft choice, defenceman Kaedan Korczak, won’t immediately return to the Kelowna Rockets because the WHL’s B.C. Division hasn’t established a date for returning to play.

Krebs’ return will be a major boon for Winnipeg, which will also have defenceman Carson Lambos back in the fold. Lambos, 18, has returned to Canada after a four-month stint in Finland where he played most recently with JYP’s Liiga team.

McCrimmon sounded very pleased with Krebs’ development so far. He said rushing him into an NHL lineup was unnecessary.

“With development you want players in an environment where they can be that player you liked when you drafted them,” said McCrimmon. “So what’s encouraging is where Peyton is now, he is that player in the American League. He’s offensive, he impacts the game, he’s flourishing. I don’t like seeing young players in the National Hockey League trying to survive. There’s no reason for that.”

Krebs had an extended stint with the Golden Knights last spring in the Edmonton bubble and followed that with an impressive performance for Canada at the world junior championship. The time between games has often been less than ideal.

“What I don’t like is Peyton has done nothing but quarantine,” said McCrimmon. “He was in a bubble with the Golden Knights for 56 days through the playoffs. Then he was in a bubble in quarantine at the world junior. Then he went back into quarantine at the world junior (training camp) in Red Deer. Then they moved to Edmonton and he went into quarantine again.

“Then the world junior ended and he came here and went into quarantine. And now he’s going back to Canada to go into quarantine. And so, he’s spent more of his season in quarantine than he has on the ice. That’s unfortunate, but it’s the world we are living in right now.”

East Division players will be required to undergo COVID-19 testing upon arrival in Regina followed by an additional quarantine period. Participants will then another COVID-19 test before being cleared for team activities.

 

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @sawa14