Defense was projected to be a position of strength for the Golden Knights entering their second season.
General manager George McPhee used words like “deep” and “very sound” this summer in describing the unit.
“We like our defense,” he said July 1.
But with Nate Schmidt suspended by the NHL for the first 20 games after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance and Shea Theodore on the verge of a contract holdout, the Knights face a dilemma on defense with training camp opening Sept. 13.
“The coaching staff will address that,” defenseman Brayden McNabb said Tuesday after an informal practice at City National Arena.