Is Shea Theodore Vegas' Defenseman Of The Future?

The plan was to get more than a collection of middle of the pack players out of the Expansion Draft and Shea Theodore is certainly an outlier in that regard.
Just 21 and on the cusp of coming into his prime, Theodore may best represent the out-of-the-box thinking and execution carried out by the Vegas Golden Knights through the Expansion Draft process.
A defenseman with key offensive attributes - speed, elite passing ability and the elusive knack of being able to get his point shot through to the net - Theodore has the potential to become a top-four D and to be an anchor with an NHL blue line for a decade. He's the kind of player GMs hate to lose.
The Anaheim Ducks had the good fortune of being a franchise with too many good players. They couldn't keep everyone so they made a deal with George McPhee - take Clayton Stoner in the draft and Theodore in a trade.

The Ducks got to keep their core intact but had to say goodbye to a prized prospect. Such is life for a team which considers itself a Stanley Cup contender in the here and now.
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"It was exciting, I didn't really see it coming because there was the rule that I couldn't be selected so I was definitely surprised but I'm thrilled about it and really excited for this next year," said Theodore. "Clayton (Stoner) and I, we're both good defensemen, I played with him a little bit my first year pro with Anaheim so I'm looking forward to it and I think it will mean good things for Vegas."
Playing a winter sport in a summer climate has become a dream scenario for many hockey players. Theodore said his continued location luck, staring in Anaheim and then moving to Vegas, has not been lost on other players.
"I got a couple of funny texts after my trade saying that somehow I must have it in my contract that I don't have to wear a jacket or a coat anywhere I play. I guess I'm sticking with it," he laughed. "I've heard nothing but good things from guys that are waiting to find some contracts. Everyone's licking their chops, trying to go there and trying to play for a new team and organization in such a great city. It's definitely hyped up and I'm very fortunate to be able to play there next year."

Theodore has spent the last few seasons moving between the AHL and the NHL in the Ducks organization. He stepped in to the lineup for Anaheim during last year's Stanley Cup playoffs and had an immediate impact collecting eight points in 14 playoff games.
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Learning to play defense in the NHL takes time but it also requires speed in today's game which usually comes as part of a younger player's skill set.
Theodore is hoping experience and his talents are finally merging into the right mix.
"It's definitely a lot about confidence. I know I saw that last year when I was playing consistently with Anaheim, I felt like that's when I was playing my best, I was playing well and playing a lot of minutes," he said. "I'm going to be coming into camp in the best shape I can and try to secure a spot with Vegas."
Vegas has a glut of defensemen on its roster right now with only a few options such as Theodore who can be assigned to the AHL without requiring waivers. His plan is to take that option out of McPhee's hands.
"I feel like I had a shorter off-season coming off our playoffs run last year but I knew what I had to work on in the offseason," he said. "I feel bigger, I feel stronger, I'm heavier, I haven't skated too many time but I'm slowly getting on the ice. I feel great, going into camp I feel it's going to be my best camp yet and I'm going to be in the best shape I've ever been."