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NHL willing to explore involving Golden Knights in outdoor game

Updated April 11, 2018 - 8:38 pm

The Golden Knights and Las Vegas will once again host the NHL Awards Show when the league’s best are honored June 20 at the Hard Rock Hotel.

But are there other league events Vegas might soon host?

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, who was at T-Mobile Arena on Wednesday for Game 1 of the opening-round Stanley Cup playoff series against the Los Angeles Kings, didn’t discount the idea of the Knights hosting the NHL draft or the All-Star Game or participating in a Stadium Series outdoor game at some point.

“The team’s been pretty popular out of the gate, and the awareness of the team is growing daily,” Bettman said. “Las Vegas has proved it can host major events, as evidenced by the fact we are here.

“My guess is, with all the things going on, that the club will request in the not too distant future to be included in our events, whether it’s the All-Star Game or an outdoor game, though we’d have to look at the weather patterns a little bit.”

The NHL has indicated a desire to play an outdoor game at West Point, home of the U.S. Military Academy. Bill Foley, the Knights’ majority owner, is a West Point graduate. So is Vinnie Viola, owner of the Florida Panthers, who have not played in an outdoor event in their 25-year history. So why not have the Knights and Panthers play at Michie Stadium?

“The ruminations are beyond anything we’ve been focused on right now,” Bettman said. “We’ve already announced our outdoor games for next year, and as we work down the line we look at all the options and alternatives. It’s something we’ll discuss at some point, but the last time I checked West Point isn’t in either Las Vegas’ or Florida’s territory.

“There are a whole host of factors. I don’t want to pour cold water on it, and I don’t want to get people excited about it. It just isn’t anything we’ve considered yet.”

Perron out for Game 1

Forward David Perron, the Knights’ third-leading scorer, missed the opener of the Western Conference quarterfinals against the Kings because of an undisclosed injury.

Coach Gerard Gallant called Perron a good player who had a great regular season. “But he hasn’t played the last four or five games, so we move on. … I wish he were playing, but he’s not quite ready.”

Perron missed the final six regular-season games. He practiced the past three days and remains questionable for Game 2 on Friday.

Perron finished the regular season with 66 points, including a team-best 50 assists.

Defenseman Luca Sbisa (hand), who hasn’t played since Feb. 27, also missed Game 1. He also is day to day, Gallant said.

Dylan Ferguson recalled

With the Knights looking for a third goaltender for practices and in case of an emergency, Dylan Ferguson has been promoted to the NHL team. Ferguson recently ended his season with the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League, where he was 24-28-1-3 with one shutout, a 2.95 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage.

Ferguson appeared in one game with the Knights, mopping up in an 8-2 loss to Edmonton on Nov. 14.

The Knights pulled Ferguson from the junior ranks because their goalies with the American Hockey League’s Chicago Wolves are competing in the playoffs.

Contact Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow @stevecarprj on Twitter.

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