Did you know that the Vegas Golden Knights are the third-oldest team heading into the 2026-27 season? They have an average age of 29.91, edged out by only the Florida Panthers (30.20) and the Los Angeles Kings (30.71). Of course, you need someone to bring in the youth movement for the Golden Knights.
Enter Braeden Bowman. The undrafted 23-year-old was exactly what the doctor ordered last season, scoring eight goals and 18 assists in 54 games. He was more of an offensive spark plug, contributing 1.2 point shares in 2025-26.
That has led people to believe that Bowman will make it to the starting lineup in 2026-27. That's vital since the Golden Knights could use said youth injection in the upcoming season. In fact, it also helps for the future when your best players start losing their scoring touch (among other things).
So, what can Bowman do for an encore in 2026-27? How can he build off a successful rookie campaign with the Golden Knights the season prior? Let's look at what made the undrafted star special and see what he can do to improve.
How can Braeden Bowman get an encore from Veags Golden Knights fans in 2026-27?
Let's start with the bad news, shall we? Last season, Bowman posted 0.4 defensive point shares with the Golden Knights. Of course, that's expected with the young winger since he hasn't been too seasoned in the NHL.
But the good news is that he's developing fine on the offensive front. The former Silver Knights forward did well in particular aspects, specifically with his shot selection and setting up his teammates.
Player | High Danger Unblocked Shot Attempts | Expected % of Unblocked Shots That Missed Net | Corsi | Fenwick | Rebounds Created | Rebounds Created Above Expected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Braeden Bowman | 17 | 20% | 53% | 53% | 16 | 7.5 |
One thing that you'll notice immediately is the unblocked shots category. Only 20% of expected unblocked shots missed the net last season and he had 17 unblocked shot attempts in high-danger chances. That's promising for a young forward looking to impact the NHL.
But you'll also see that his overall shot selection is solid. 53% in both the Corsi and Fenwick statistics are great for Bowman, showing that he's capable of being responsible with shooting the puck. It's also why he scored eight goals last season, putting up good numbers for a rookie.
If he can build off his offensive successes and improve his defensive game, there's no telling how well he'll do in his second foray. The Golden Knights will gladly take a youthful player in the mix and alleviate the aging roster. Imagine what he can do when Trevor Connelly eventually comes up.
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