Malcolm Subban, a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender, embarked on a significant chapter of his career when he joined the Vegas Golden Knights. Originally a first-round draft pick by the Boston
Bruins in 2012, Subban's path to the NHL was not without its turns. After several seasons within the Bruins organization, primarily playing for their AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins, a new opportunity arose with the expansion Golden Knights, marking a pivotal moment in his professional journey.
Arrival in Las Vegas
Subban's move to the Vegas Golden Knights came in October 2017. He was placed on waivers by the Boston Bruins during their training camp after he was unable to secure the backup goaltender position over Anton Khudobin. The Golden Knights, a new NHL franchise, claimed him, offering him a fresh start and a chance to establish himself in the league. This acquisition was a key part of the Golden Knights' inaugural season roster, and Subban quickly integrated into the team.
He made the Golden Knights' roster out of training camp and served as the backup goalie for the team's very first game, a 2–1 victory against the Dallas Stars on October 7. His debut as a starter for Vegas came shortly after, on October 15, where he secured his first NHL win. This game was particularly notable as he carried a shutout against his former team, the Boston Bruins, into the final minute before a puck deflected off a teammate, resulting in a 3–1 victory for the Golden Knights. This early success was crucial, especially as he was stepping in for the injured Marc-André Fleury, the team's primary goaltender.
Navigating Injuries and Milestones
Subban's time with the Golden Knights was marked by both promising performances and challenges, particularly with injuries. On October 22, 2017, he was placed on injured reserve due to a lower body injury sustained the previous day in a game against the St. Louis Blues. He returned to action in November, coming off injured reserve on November 17 to serve as backup for Maxime Lagacé.
A memorable moment occurred on December 8, when Subban played his first regular season game against his older brother, P. K. Subban, who was a defenseman for the Nashville Predators. In that game, Malcolm made a then-career-high 41 saves, helping the Golden Knights secure a 4–3 victory. This occasion also marked the tenth instance of brothers playing against each other in the NHL, with one as a skater and the other as a goaltender. Despite these highlights, injuries continued to be a factor; he was again placed on injured reserve with an upper body injury after a practice incident on February 10, 2018.
Performance and Departure
In his first season with Vegas (2017–18), Subban appeared in 22 games, achieving a record of 13–4–2 with a .910 save percentage. His second season (2018–19) saw him play in 21 games, recording an 8–10–2 record and a .902 save percentage. During this season, he also achieved his first NHL shutout in a 5–0 victory against the Winnipeg Jets on March 21, 2019. In the 2019 off-season, he filed for salary arbitration but ultimately signed a one-year contract with Vegas before the hearing. In his final season with the Golden Knights (2019–20), he played in 20 games, though his save percentage saw a slight dip to .890. In February 2020, Subban was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks, concluding his tenure with the Vegas Golden Knights.
