Being chosen by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft turned out to be just what McNabb's career needed.
After averaging 15:04 of ice time in 49 games with the Los Angeles Kings in 2016-17, NcNabb became a top-four defenseman in Vegas, averaging 20:09 during the regular season and finishing with 15 points (five goals, 10 assists). He also had the only goal in the Golden Knights' series-clinching 1-0 victory against the Kings in Game 4 of the Western Conference First Round during the Stanley Cup Playoffs and finished the postseason with five points (two goals, three assists) in 20 postseason games.
Being chosen by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft turned out to be just what McNabb's career needed.
After averaging 15:04 of ice time in 49 games with the Los Angeles Kings in 2016-17, NcNabb became a top-four defenseman in Vegas, averaging 20:09 during the regular season and finishing with 15 points (five goals, 10 assists). He also had the only goal in the Golden Knights' series-clinching 1-0 victory against the Kings in Game 4 of the Western Conference First Round during the Stanley Cup Playoffs and finished the postseason with five points (two goals, three assists) in 20 postseason games.
McNabb averaged nearly 20 minutes of ice time per game, helping the Golden Knights advance to the playoffs each time.
A native of Davidson, Saskatchewan, McNabb has a big shot and a big frame. While playing for Kootenay of the Western Hockey League, he impressed the Buffalo Sabres enough that they chose him in the third round (No. 66) in the 2009 NHL Draft. His size and skating ability allow him to be a shutdown presence.
McNabb made his NHL debut as a 20-year-old with Buffalo on Nov. 26, 2011, and had six hits, took two shots and blocked one over 20 shifts and 13:42 of ice time against the Washington Capitals. He got his first NHL point when he scored a goal in a 4-2 win against Washington on Dec. 26, 2011.
He played 25 games for the Sabres in 2011-12, but spent most of the next two seasons with Rochester in the American Hockey League before being traded to the Kings on March 4, 2014. McNabb opened the 2014-15 season with Los Angeles and finished third among Kings' defensemen that season with 22 assists.
McNabb made his playoff debut with Los Angeles in 2015-16, appearing in all five games of the Western Conference First Round against the San Jose Sharks.
NOTES & TRANSACTIONS
- WHL East First All-Star Team (2010, 2011)
- Traded to Los Angeles by Buffalo with Jonathan Parker and Los Angeles' 2nd round pick (previously acquired, Los Angeles selected Alex Lintuniemi) in 2014 NHL Draft and Los Angeles' 2nd round pick (previously acquired, Los Angeles selected Erik Cernak) in 2015 NHL Draft for Nicolas Deslauriers and Hudson Fasching, March 5, 2014.
- Claimed by Vegas from Los Angeles in Expansion Draft, June 21, 2017.
