Juho Piiparinen gets good reviews in his first preseason game with the Golden Knights

Vegas Golden Knights 2026 first-round draft pick Juho Piiparinen made his preseason debut on Tuesday against the San Jose Sharks. The 18-year-old Finnish defenseman earned positive reviews from team leadership for his composure and performance on the ice against a mix of NHL and AHL players.

Piiparinen appeared comfortable handling the NHL pace without committing many sloppy plays during the exhibition matchup. Jesse Granger of The Athletic specifically highlighted the young defenseman's skating ability, noting how effortlessly he moved across the ice in the first period.