When looking at the Vegas Golden Knights in 2025-26, you'll see nothing but star power littering the lineup. Names like Mitch Marner, Jack Eichel, and Mark Stone constitute a Stanley Cup contender ready to anger the 31 other fan bases like clockwork.
While all the big names get all the love and adoration, the lower lines and pairings need some love, too. It's not easy keeping the Golden Knights afloat, especially when you're trying to not be like, say, the Maple Leafs. Sure, they have all the superstars. But it looks like a top-heavy unit that can't win a Stanley Cup, let alone get past the second round.
That's why it's time to honor the scrappy underdogs who make the magic happen. These players hold the forth down while the big dogs eat and get all the glory. So, who are we honoring today?
Let's go with... three players. These three players can exceed expectations and make the Vegas Golden Knights dominant in the NHL landscape. Some are stepping on the ice for a full season, while others are looking to rebound. Let's meet these three players and get hyped for the 2025-26 season!
1.) Jeremy Lauzon
In Jeremy Lauzon's seven seasons in the NHL, he's only mustered 14 goals and 31 assists. He hasn't done much in the goal-scoring department, acting as a third-pairing blue liner. While he's more well-versed in the checking department (1,132 hits in seven seasons), the former Nashville Predator can improve his circumstances.
How? Well, he's a team with better offensive players. Adding Mitch Marner and having Jack Eichel, William Karlsson, and Mark Stone to boot will raise anybody's game. He also played 28 games last season, making him the ultimate candidate for buying low.
2.) Colton Sissons
Sissons was brought in to win faceoffs and act as a late-game savior. His career faceoff win percentage of 53.7% will help the Golden Knights wear opponents down in a game. But he can do so much more than merely dominate the faceoff circle.
In 2023-24, the former Predators star scored 15 goals and 20 assists. The season prior, he scored 12 goals and 18 assists. The center can contribute for the Golden Knights, especially when he's surrounded by other solid offensive pieces. Watch for Sissons to lead the fourth line and prove that he's vastly underrated in 2025-26.
3.) Akira Schmid
Some Golden Knights fans are freaking out about the goaltending group. They're panicking over Adin Hill potentially being injured like someone stole the last Mountain Dew from a gamer named Boogie.
It's almost like they're having a heart attack watching the Seattle Kraken rip off their glow-in-the-dark jersey gimmick.
However, it's been mentioned numerous times why fans shouldn't worry. He has a similar build to Hill and can take up the net without moving much. It's something that Kelly McCrimmon, Sean Burke, and the Golden Knights look for in their goaltenders. The Swiss netminder could surprise people and extend his stay in Vegas with a stellar season.