Tomas Hertl expected to make Vegas Golden Knights debut Monday night

After weeks of anticipation, a talented offensive weapon is ready to play with his new team for the first time.

Multiple reports say that forward Tomas Hertl is expected to debut with the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday night, as the team is set to visit the Vancouver Canucks.

Hertl was acquired by the Golden Knights from the San Jose Sharks right at the NHL Trade Deadline last month, along with two third-round picks. This, despite Hertl, having been on injured reserve since February after undergoing a surgical procedure to take care of loose cartilage in his left knee.

On Sunday, Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy stated the 30-year-old was going to be traveling with the team to Vancouver and that it was likely that Hertl would play against the Canucks.

Prior to the surgery, Hertl had scored 15 goals and 34 points in 48 games, but he was hair off his pace from the 2022-23 season, which led to him scoring 63 points in 79 games.

It will be the first time that Hertl has played an NHL game with a team other than the Sharks. The Praha, Czechia native had been with San Jose since he was taken 17th overall in the 2012 NHL Draft.

Hertl played 712 games with the Sharks, scoring 218 goals and 266 assists, including 42 points in 62 playoff games. He was a big part of the San Jose team that made it to the 2016 Stanley Cup Finals.

Hertl has come to a team in Sin City that is having to work its way into the postseason. Heading into Monday night, the Golden Knights (42-26-8) are holding the second Wild Card spot in the Western Conference, five points ahead of the St. Louis Blues with two games in hand. Vegas has a chance to get back into the top three of the Pacific Division, as they are only one back of the Los Angeles Kings for third in the division.