Kelly McCrimmon made it clear this week what the goaltending will look like for the Vegas Golden Knights next season.

That vision includes the belief that Adin Hill will get back to why McCrimmon made him the goaltender of the future.

Things can change, but it will be a tandem of Hill and Carter Hart heading into training camp following the trade of Akira Schmid to the Florida Panthers on Monday for a third-round pick.

As for who starts, early indications would be Hart — given that he was the starter all the way through the Knights’ playoff run that landed them two wins shy of winning the Stanley Cup.

That’s a decision coach Ryan Craig and goalie coach Sean Burke will have to make when the season gets closer.

“If you set out Sept. 1 and you’re hoping to play in the Stanley Cup Final, you’re going to play 104, 105 hockey games. You need two goaltenders to get through that,” McCrimmon said. “I think we have a great tandem.”

Belief in Hill

Talking with those familiar with Hill over the past week, he’s going into training camp with the mindset that it’s still his net to lose.

Hill is still considered “the guy,” after all. He’s the one being paid $6.25 million per season over the next five years. The sense is he owes it to himself, as well as the team that believes in him, to prove he can turn over every stone to not lose the crease.

Hill’s name has come up in trade rumors because of the Knights’ recent run of clearing salary cap space. That included the trades of defenseman Kaedan Korczak to Pittsburgh and forward Keegan Kolesar to Detroit.

But McCrimmon is hopeful Hill can get back into a groove following another injury-plagued season that saw him post the worst numbers of his Knights tenure — 10-9-6 with an .871 save percentage and 3.04 goals-against average.

“I think Adin is going to bounce back. I think he’s a good goalie that had a tough season,” McCrimmon said. “We need him to revert to form.”

Though Hill wasn’t frustrated that he never got a chance to play in the Stanley Cup Final, he would’ve liked the opportunity, considering Hart allowed four goals each in five straight games.

It simply came down to former coach John Tortorella knowing Hart more than Hill. Tortorella doubled down on going with Hart until the end.

The regime change with Craig taking over should help. There’s familiarity between Craig and Hill, having been together on the 2023 team that Hill helped to win the Stanley Cup.

Hart is going into training camp as the presumptive No. 1. He also has one year remaining on his deal at $2 million. If Hart can’t replicate what he did last year, it could be easier for the Knights to cut their losses.

“Carter, for me, made a great impression in getting us to the Stanley Cup Final,” McCrimmon said. “We’re in good shape with that position.”

Lindbom is close

Which is why the three-year extension for Carl Lindbom on Sunday was notable.

Lindbom is close to an everyday NHL role. He got valuable experience last season at the cost of Hill’s injury. He went through the ebbs and flows as any young goalie does, all while playing against steep competition that tested him, like Tampa Bay and Colorado.

“When I say I’m happy with our goaltending, you can add him to that,” McCrimmon said. “I think he’s on his way to becoming an NHL goaltender, whether that’s immediately or if he needs more time.”

That experience proved beneficial for Lindbom. He became, arguably, the biggest reason why the Henderson Silver Knights dominated in the second half of the season and reached the Calder Cup Playoffs.

Lindbom will enter the season as the clear starter in Henderson for first-year coach Joel Ward, but he’s knocking on the door.

“We’re really comfortable with where he’s ready to be a really good No. 3 goaltender,” McCrimmon said.

Contact Danny Webster at dwebster@reviewjournal.com. Follow @DannyWebster21 on X.

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