Before you say anything, no, Jonathan Marchessault isn't on this list. While the Misfit has expressed interest in ditching his guitar and summer tours with Carrie Underwood, there are many reasons why this doesn't make sense.
First, he's 34 years old. The Vegas Golden Knights are tied for fifth-highest in average age (29.9 years, according to LeftWingLock) and need to get younger. What good does it do when you're adding a player who'll be 38 years old once he leaves town?
Second, he's becoming a liability. This season, he scored 21 goals, half of what he had in his last campaign with the Golden Knights. Kelly McCrimmon seems keen on keeping younger superstars like Pavel Dorofeyev at a lower price.
In essence, that makes more sense. Dorofeyev was the team leader in goals scored (35) and had 13 power play goals. Has Marchessault ever hit double-digits in power play goals once in his career? Nope.
Therefore, it stands with good reason that bringing the Conn Smythe Trophy winner isn't the best long-term solution. However, that doesn't mean a reunion tour is out of the question. Why not have your cake and eat it as well?
Luckily, two other names provide a much-needed solution to the Golden Knights' viability. They can bolster the special teams unit, both on the power play and penalty kill. Not only that, but they boost the winger depth that Vegas desperately needs. Who are the two mystery men involved?
Reilly Smith
There are plenty of reasons why Reilly Smith makes sense. As previously mentioned, the Misfit adds more depth to special teams and is a consistent threat to score shorthanded. Golden Knights fans saw that with him and fellow Misfit William Karlsson.
But people also forget that the Toronto native also scored 13 goals and 27 assists in 2024-25. While he's not scoring at a 20+ goal clip like he used to, he's still vital to the team's wing depth. Plus, Smith doesn't care how much he gets paid and wants to stay. That should give McCrimmon enough incentive to hand him a team-friendly deal to retire as a Golden Knight.
That's great, especially after the Jonathan Marchessault fiasco that happened over the summer. McCrimmon prefers not to see a similar episode play out with Smith. Luckily, he's a player who cares about winning another Stanley Cup first, which should make a deal much easier.
Alex Tuch
Fun fact: Alex Tuch is 29 years old. He also provided plenty of scoring for a meager Buffalo Sabres team with 36 goals. Golden Knights fans are familiar with the winger, especially since he's not hard to miss. Tuch is 6'4" and weighs 219 lbs.
He also has a booming shot that scored three power play goals this season. That shot could help reinvent Vegas's past approach and usher in a new, shooter-friendly era. After all, the Sabres forward had 196 shots on goal this season.
Ironically, there was a news bit concerning the Misfit being unsatisfied in Buffalo. The direction of the team has stalled to the point where other players could leave the Sabres. Could that equal a return to Las Vegas for Tuch? Stay tuned.