The Vegas Golden Knights might be seen as one of the naughtiest teams in the NHL. They're criticized for (allegedly) circumventing the salary cap through LTIR means (which they can't do anymore) or breaking some moral code within the NHL confines. However, Golden Knights fans know the real story.
They've seen a team rally a community from the darker depths of hell, bringing home two Stanley Cup Final appearances and a Stanley Cup. After the tragic events of October 1, 2017, the Golden Knights have established themselves as a community staple and helped them heal.
With that, Las Vegas is forever in the Golden Knights' debt. However, the Golden Knights need a few pieces to satisfy Sin City. You see, the team has been far from perfect, specifically when it comes to the early start. How can the team rebound?
Well, you need one or two pieces to help ease the burden. That way, you can go back to winning Stanley Cups and drawing the collective ire of NHL fans everywhere! So let's create a Christmas wish list for the Golden Knights. Santa's checking this list and he's checking it twice!
1.) A lower line winger
If you want some perspective on how abysmal the lower line wingers have been, use Brandon Saad and Reilly Smith as ideal examples. Both were signed to one-year deals with full no-trade clauses this offseason for $2 million each. The expectation was that both would provide the same depth scoring that Vegas needed.
Well, that hasn't exactly gone to plan. The projected stats tell a story of how Saad and Smith are set to disappoint this season. In fact, let's add Keegan Kolesar to the mix since he applies here as well.
Player | Goals In 2024-25 | Assists In 2024-25 | Projected Goals In 2025-26 | Projected Assists In 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Reilly Smith | 13 | 27 | 10 | 7 |
Brandon Saad | 13 | 17 | 2 | 7 |
Keegan Kolesar | 12 | 18 | 0 | 10 |
While Kolesar played above expectations last season, the same can't be said for Saad or Smith. Both are older than 30 and are on the tail end of their careers.
With that comes a pressing need at the wing, specifically on the lower lines. The good news is that PuckPedia projects Vegas to have $5,107,361 in cap space as of Monday. That provides an opportunity to address the position with not one, but two, depth guys.
2.) Another defenseman
The Golden Knights have searched far and wide for viable replacements for Alex Pietrangelo. Since he was placed on season-ending LTIR, the two-time Stanley Cup-winning defenseman hasn't been himself, dealing with hip issues and the like.
Now, I know what you're thinking and, yes, it can happen. Rasmus Andersson has a cap hit of $4.55 million and would add more depth to the Golden Knights' blue line.
While Andersson isn't the overall replacement for Pietrangelo's presence, he makes the unit much better and can be a top-pair guy. It's worth considering an upgrade for Vegas if they truly want to make life easier for the netminders.
3.) Get healthy!
Losing Jack Eichel, William Karlsson, and Shea Theodore hurts the Golden Knights more than people realize. That's three-fifths of a unit you could ice for a game.
Las Vegas saw firsthand what happens when you don't have your best players on the ice. You get doubled up by the Calgary Flames and dig yourself into an early deficit that you can't escape against the Edmonton Oilers.
Perhaps Santa can gift the Golden Knights some fresh limbs so they don't get hurt as often. Whatever the case, Vegas needs a solution and fast. Otherwise, it'll be shades of 2023-24 all over again or even worse: 2021-22.