Golden Knights' Shea Theodore elevates his game to new heights

For years, Shea Theodore has been a steady, consistent player on the Vegas Golden Knights’ blue line.

An original member of the franchise in 2017, he’s averaged 41 points, 31 assists and a plus/minus of nine over the last seven seasons.

This season, he’s been even better.

Through 52 games, Theodore has surpassed his career averages with six goals and 39 assists for 45 points. Those points are the fourth highest for a defenseman in the NHL.

His game has been elevated into the same company as players like Vancouver’s Quinn Hughes and Colorado’s Cale Makar, two of the league’s top blue-liners and past winners of the Norris Trophy given to the league’s top defenseman.

“It’s just a confidence thing,” Theodore said. “You go through the season with some ups and downs, and it’s always a challenge to manage that. (You) try to ride the highs as long as you can.

“I’ve been really trying to build my game to another level this year and, you know, continue to contribute.”

Theodore and his wife had their first child, Wesley Reid, in September Coach Bruce Cassidy said being a first-time father might be contributing to a positive mental mindset on the ice for Theodore.

“Maybe he’s just a happy guy because he’s a new dad, and life’s good,” Cassidy said. “You never know. Sometimes it’s that just that mental (mindset) coming to the rink every day in a good place can help you get to your game.”

Cassidy additionally credited Theodore’s performance spike to his relationship with defensive partner, Brayden McNabb.

McNabb, another original member of the Golden Knights, is tied for second in the NHL for the best plus/minus totals.

Theodore and McNabb have taken the role of “quarterbacking” the Golden Knights’ offensive effort, starting the rush and delivering the puck to the forwards. The hope, of course, is eventually leading to a goal.

Theodore can confidently take the puck to the net, create a scoring chance, and not have the other team turn his absence at the blue line into an odd-man rush.

“Playing with Nabber (McNabb), he’s such a solid guy,” Theodore said. “He’s always got my back, and there’s that confident feeling between the two of us. If I’m jumping up, he’s standing back.”

Vegas boasts the NHL’s second-best power play, and it starts with Theodore, who has 16 assists with the man advantage.

“Our power play is going well. It runs through him (Theodore) at the top, and it gives him confidence,” Cassidy said. “If you’re an offensive defenseman, you’re getting your touches in those situations and accumulating points. It matters.”

Theodore’splay helped him earn a spot on Canada’s roster for the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off.

He has represented Canada on four previous occasions, but never in a tournament featuring the top NHL players, such as the Olympics or the World Cup of Hockey.

He is one of five Golden Knights competing in the tournament, joining Mark Stone (Canada), Adin Hill (Canada), Jack Eichel (USA) and Noah Hanifin (USA). Vegas forward William Karlsson had been tabbed to play for Sweden in the tournament but will sit out with a lower body injury. Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, also selected for Team Canada, will also sit out the tournament.

“There’s a number of guys in our team that, you know, have the honor as well,” Theodore said. “It’s going to be a cool feeling representing Canada and playing in a tournament of that magnitude.”

With 28 games left in the regular season, Theodore says he is focused on staying in the moment and playing into this “high” he’s experiencing, never knowing if there will be a low to follow.

“Sometimes you go through streaks where it seems like everything’s going in, and then sometimes it seems like nothing goes in,” Theodore said. “I’m just trying to take it in stride and continue to build my game.”

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