The Golden Knights acquired Mattias Janmark at the trade deadline last month primarily to slot in down the lineup for depth. There was potential to move him around, but he was brought in to solidify the left wing spot on the third line.

He’s done that, to be sure, but he’s also done so much more. When Reilly Smith was hurt, Janmark slotted into the second line’s right wing. Then after Max Pacioretty went down, Janmark jumped up to left wing on the top line.

He’s played center, left and right wing on the first, second and third lines, becoming a jack-of-all-trades, much to the benefit of the Golden Knights as they head into the 2021 playoffs.

“Honestly, it’s been amazing to see him here,” forward Jonathan Marchessault says. “He’s a great player everywhere on the ice. He’s reliable, he’s definitely a great add for our group, and it’s been nice to see that he’s doing well.”

Janmark filled a Vegas need, similar to past trade deadline acquisitions. The Golden Knights needed a goalie and a top-four defenseman in 2020 so they got Robin Lehner and Alec Martinez, respectively. They needed a top-line forward in 2019 and got Mark Stone. In 2021, it was Janmark. He started his first game on the third line alongside Alex Tuch and Tomas Nosek, where the Golden Knights hoped he would remain.

Coach Pete DeBoer joked at the time that he was prepared for that not to be the case. “What’s the saying? We plan and God laughs,” DeBoer joked.

Sure enough, within a week, Janmark was filling in for Smith. “When we were making our list at the trade deadline, I think versatility, being able to move around in the lineup, was important, and he brings that,” DeBoer says. “He’s been a nice addition.”

Janmark hasn’t been a huge scoring threat, posting only one assist and one empty-net goal through his first 10 games, but DeBoer doesn’t seem worried about that. The points should come, and Janmark’s style could lend itself to strong play in the playoffs. Play tightens up in the postseason, leading to less end-to-end action and rewarding teams that can score the “dirty” goals—largely from rebounds and deflections, the kind of tallies that don’t make highlight reels but are adored by hockey folks.

Janmark plays that style, providing screens that lead to goals by others and adding his speed to Vegas’ transition offense, too. And he can do it with anyone. He has played his last 50-plus games with three different teams, which means a lot of linemates and a lot of blending into new systems. It has worked so far, and the Golden Knights hope that versatility will serve them well in the playoffs.

“In today’s hockey, everyone plays everywhere in the ‘D’ zone,” forward William Carrier says. “Obviously, he’s been doing it before so it’s nothing new for him. He’s been playing well for us.”