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Vadim Shipachyov is apparently willing to repay the signing bonus he was given by the Vegas Golden Knights, but the NHL Players Association reportedly wants him to keep it if he lands elsewhere.

Shipachyov has agreed to pay back most of his $2-million bonus even if he's claimed by - or eventually signs with - another club, but the NHLPA is fighting that, multiple sources indicated to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

The issue isn't the repayment of the bonus in general, but rather whether he should have to do so if he becomes a member of a different NHL team, Friedman writes.

Sportsnet's Eric Engels reported earlier Thursday that the Golden Knights want to be sure no other club in the league will claim the Russian forward if he goes on waivers, and Friedman added that the expansion club also wants assurances that Shipachyov won't sign with another NHL team if his current contract is voided.

The NHLPA's position is that if Shipachyov gets claimed, Vegas loses the right to be repaid, and the union apparently doesn't want to set a precedent of players returning "money earned," according to Friedman.

Vegas signed the KHL veteran to a two-year, $9-million contract in May.

The 30-year-old has reportedly returned to Russia while he awaits a resolution.

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There's inexperience on the blue line, and then there's what the Philadelphia Flyers are up against Thursday night in St. Louis.

With injuries to Shayne Gostisbehere, Andrew MacDonald, and Radko Gudas, the Flyers' defense corps combined for just 272 games played heading into Thursday's contest.

For comparison's sake, St. Louis' top defense pairing of Alex Pietrangelo and Carl Gunnarsson combined for 1,057 career games played heading into the matchup.

With the Blues sitting near the top of the NHL standings, the Flyers' back end will surely be tested. Ivan Provorov might need an oxygen mask by the end of the game.

- with h/t to Broad Street Hockey

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Face to face with a crisis in the crease, Vegas Golden Knights general manager George McPhee isn't willing to make a move out of desperation.

The expansion Knights have lost three goaltenders to injury, not even one full month into their inaugural season. Marc-Andre Fleury has a concussion, while Malcolm Subban and Oscar Dansk have each suffered lower-body injuries, forcing little-known rookie Maxime Lagace into a starting role.

Still, McPhee said Thursday he isn't willing to broker a deal for additional help, according Steve Carp of The Las Vegas Review-Journal.

"We'll ride it out with who we have," he said.

Despite the slew of injuries, Vegas' goaltending has actually been a strong point so far, as the Golden Knights rank eighth in the NHL with a team save percentage of .929 at 5-on-5.

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Face to face with a crisis in the crease, Vegas Golden Knights general manager George McPhee isn't willing to make a move out of desperation.

The expansion Knights have lost three goaltenders to injury, not even one full month into their inaugural season. Marc-Andre Fleury has a concussion, while Malcolm Subban and Oscar Dansk have each suffered lower-body injuries, forcing little-known rookie Maxime Lagace into a starting role.

Still, McPhee said Thursday he isn't willing to broker a deal for additional help, according Steve Carp of The Las Vegas Review-Journal.

"We'll ride it out with who we have," he said.

Despite the slew of injuries, Vegas' goaltending has actually been a strong point so far, as the Golden Knights rank eighth in the NHL with a team save percentage of .929 at 5-on-5.

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Thursday promises to be an action-packed night across the NHL, with 12 games spread across the schedule.

There's a wide variety of intriguing matchups, but let's take a look at the games within the games, as multiple impressive streaks can be kept alive.

Vasilevskiy strives for history

Much has been made of the Tampa Bay Lightning's incredible offense to start the season, but netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy has quietly been the backbone of the club's early success.

The 23-year-old owns a .927 save percentage to go along with a 10-1 record, with the last nine victories coming in succession. If Vasilevskiy is able to top the New York Rangers, he'll set a franchise record for consecutive wins.

High-flying Blues

(Photo Courtesy: Action Images)

The Western Conference-leading Blues will put their seven-game point streak to the test as the Philadelphia Flyers travel to the Gateway City. St. Louis is 6-0-1 over that span, and have won its last four contests in regulation.

The Blues have been strong across the board amid their recent stretch, scoring 26 goals while limiting the opposition to 14. They also hold a significant edge in the shot department, outpacing opponents 245-204.

Keller looks to build Calder case

Shining a positive light on a 10 p.m. matchup between the basement-dwelling Arizona Coyotes and Buffalo Sabres isn't an easy task, but tuning in to watch reigning Rookie of the Month Clayton Keller attempt to keep his seven-game point streak alive might be worth it.

The 19-year-old has 15 points in 13 games overall, and has three multi-point efforts during his recent run, offering the lone glimmer of entertainment value for the Coyotes throughout their miserable start.

Considering Buffalo is allowing the NHL's fifth-most goals per game (3.58), counting on Keller to stay hot is a pretty safe bet.

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The standoff between Vadim Shipachyov and the Vegas Golden Knights appears to have reached a standstill.

Before the team places the Russian forward on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract, general manager George McPhee is reportedly seeking assurance from his 30 counterparts that Shipachyov won't be claimed, according to Sportsnet's Eric Engels.

If he were to be claimed, that team would pick up the remainder of his two-year, $9-million deal without having to send any assets to Vegas.

The Golden Knights would still be on the hook for a $2-million signing bonus of which Shipachyov has agreed to pay back all but $86,000 once the termination process officially begins.

At present, Shipachyov is in Russia and is hoping to latch on with a KHL club. His only other option is to retire, meaning Vegas would retain his NHL rights for the time being.

In three games with Vegas, Shipachyov recorded one goal and three shots on net.

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Four goals in 11 games is a solid start for most NHLers, but not for former No. 2 overall draft pick Patrik Laine. That's because the Winnipeg Jets winger set the bar high in his first year in the league, notching 64 points in 74 games a campaign ago.

However, this season's struggles are starting to get to the 19-year-old sophomore: " ... Obviously, I don't have a lot of confidence, so, just try and shoot a lot and try and be simple that way and try and work hard every shift," Laine said, according to TSN.

"Right now I am struggling, but that doesn't matter, the team is winning."

Laine makes a good point, as the Jets have won two in a row and have points in eight of their last 10. But, Laine as a solo act isn't as fun to watch right now, with the Finnish sniper going pointless in four straight contests.

"Feels like hockey is really hard right now," said Laine. "But, I think everyone is going to have the same kind of feelings sometimes. Have to move forward and get through it somehow."

Laine will have a chance to get back on track Thursday when Winnipeg takes on the Dallas Stars.

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Four goals in 11 games is a solid start for most NHLers, but not for former No. 2 overall draft pick Patrik Laine. That's because the Winnipeg Jets winger set the bar high in his first year in the league, notching 64 points in 74 games a campaign ago.

However, this season's struggles are starting to get to the 19-year-old sophomore: " ... Obviously, I don't have a lot of confidence, so, just try and shoot a lot and try and be simple that way and try and work hard every shift," Laine said, according to TSN.

"Right now I am struggling, but that doesn't matter, the team is winning."

Laine makes a good point, as the Jets have won two in a row and have points in eight of their last 10. But, Laine as a solo act isn't as fun to watch right now, with the Finnish sniper going pointless in four straight contests.

"Feels like hockey is really hard right now," said Laine. "But, I think everyone is going to have the same kind of feelings sometimes. Have to move forward and get through it somehow."

Laine will have a chance to get back on track Thursday when Winnipeg takes on the Dallas Stars.

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Nashville Predators forward Ryan Johansen dodged a bullet Thursday, as The Athletic's Kevin Kurz reports Johansen will not face any supplemental discipline for his high hit on San Jose Sharks rearguard Marc-Edouard Vlasic.

Here is the play in question from Wednesday's game:

Johansen was assessed a two-minute minor on the play. Vlasic was helped off the ice and did not return.

The Sharks have yet to provide an official update on the defenseman's status.

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