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The expectations for Stephenson heading into 2022-23

By Christopher Lyke

Apr 14, 2022; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Vegas Golden Knights center Chandler Stephenson (20) skates during the warmup period against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 14, 2022; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Vegas Golden Knights center Chandler Stephenson (20) skates during the warmup period against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The last two seasons, Chandler Stephenson has become one of the Golden Knights most important assets and was second only to Jonathan Marchessault in overall scoring on the team in 2021-22. Going into the 2022-23 season, Stephenson will likely be on the first line at left wing alongside Jack Eichel and Mark Stone. With Eichel looking to make his mark on the franchise, the pressure for the Saskatoon-native certainly will ease but don’t expect him to take the foot off the gas.

This is a part of a series of profile features on the complete Golden Knights roster heading into the 2022-23 season.

The Chandler Stephenson File
6’0 | 203 | Shoots: Left | Left Wing/Center
Hometown: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan | DOB: 05/22/94
Draft Status: 77th overall | 3rd round (2012) – Washington Capitals
How Acquired: Trade | Under Contract Through: 2023-24
’22-’23: $2.75M | ’23-’24: $2.75M

The expectations for Chandler Stephenson in 2022-23

The one thing that Golden Knights fans can be assured of is that Stephenson will give you an aggressive style of hockey, The fact that he fits right into Bruce Cassidy’s style of play will be a major bonus for him. In terms of scoring, should he get close to the numbers that he had last season, the sky is the limit to where the team is on the playoff ladder. With Eichel, Stone, Marchessault, Kessel and Karlsson all out there, the fact is, reaching those numbers again are beyond what we should expect.

The more realistic expectation should be around the 50-55 point range with the vast majority of them coming in the form of assists. The ceiling for him is likely the 65-70 point range. Being among the league leaders in assists is certainly not out of the question. The one thing Cassidy loves to do with his offense is spread the wealth among his players. The more productive Stephenson is, the more productive the entire team will likely be.

Last season, the Eichel sweepstakes had Stephenson involved in a number of potential trade rumors, which ultimately turned out to be false. The Golden Knights signed him to a four-year extension in 2020, which takes him into the end of next season. The question now is whether the team should sign him to yet another extension in the off-season depending on how he does this season.

Chandler Stephenson
Apr 14, 2022; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Vegas Golden Knights center Chandler Stephenson (20) skates during the warmup period against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /

Player Statistics

2015-16 | WSH | 9 GP (0 G, 0 A) 0 pts, 9 PIM
2016-17 | WSH | 4 GP (0 G, 0 A) 0 pts, 0 PIM
2017-18 | WSH | 67 GP (6 G, 12 A) 18 pts. 8 PIM
2018-19 | WSH | 64 GP (5 G, 6 A) 11 pts, 0 PIM
2019-20 | WSH | 24 GP (3 G, 1 A) 4 pts, 6 PIM
2019-20 | VGK | 41 GP (8 G, 14 A) 22 pts, 10 PIM
2020-21 | VGK | 51 GP (14 G, 21 A) 35 pts, 29 PIM
2021-22 | VGK | 79 GP (21 G, 43 A) 64 pts, 26 PIM

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