Vegas Golden Knights fans were enthralled in a heated debate over the weekend. No, it wasn't who the team should face in a potential first-round matchup. It's also not whether the new Snow White movie is as bad as the San Jose Sharks.
Instead, it stems from an "Original Misfit" and a current Golden Knights winger. This debate circled around who would replace Jonathan Marchessault's production after turning into the world's shortest Honky Tonk Man impersonator.
It eventually escalated to bold claims stating the Predators winger was much better than the player in question. A tenured player with a legacy on the franchise better than a rising star? Interesting.
What? Marchessault is still a miles better player than Pavel.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) March 22, 2025
So how did Golden Knights fans respond to this claim?
In short, claiming a 5'9" French-Canadian is much better than a 30-goal scorer didn't sit well with the fans. They immediately jumped on this claim, butchering the assailant with an endless array of memes and factual evidence.
There's good reason for that, too. Pavel Dorofeyev has evolved into a bona fide weapon for Bruce Cassidy. He has 12 power play goals this season and is projected to hit 14. That's more than the Quebecois native ever had during his Vegas stay. Mind you, Marchessault never had double-digit power play goals during his career.
But are those claims valid? Is there truth to the fact that the "Misfit" is much better than his fellow winger? On the surface, it's hard to tell. Dorofeyev is a decade younger. Anything can happen to him in his career. However, a quick comparison proves the fans are right in this scenario. Here's how.
Why Pavel Dorofeyev is (and will be) better than Jonathan Marchessault
This season, Jonathan Marchessault has reverted back to his playmaking self with the Nashville Predators. He has 30 assists entering Monday, beating last season's total of 27. However, his goals aren't even half of his 42 from 2024-25.
Compare that to Pavel Dorofeyev, who's taken on the "Misfit's" sniper role well. He has 30 goals in 2024-25, with 12 on the power play. Mind you, he's not the passing playmaker that the 34-year-old is (16 assists this season). However, he's replaced his predecessor's scoring without an issue, making him a reliable offensive weapon.
But what do those stats look like from a side-by-side comparison (stats courtesy of MoneyPuck)?
Player | Goals | Assists | Points | Blocked shots | Takeaways | Giveaways | Shooting percentage | Corsi | Fenwick |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jonathan Marchessault | 19 | 30 | 49 | 22 | 9 | 81 | 9.7% | 58% | 56% |
Pavel Dorofeyev | 30 | 16 | 46 | 35 | 19 | 43 | 14.2% | 58% | 60% |
Shooting-wise, the players are identical sans the shooting percentage. However, it's the overall offensive game that gives Dorofeyev the edge here. He takes better care of the puck and has a faster shot. But it isn't just the offensive statistics that tell the story, though.
Pavel Dorofeyev is a better fit for the Vegas Golden Knights system
Let's look at the blocked shots and takeaways for a second. You'll notice the Russian winger has a distinct advantage in both categories. That's a testament to Pavel Dorofeyev being better suited for Bruce Cassidy's style.
He generates turnovers and can get sticks out for takeaways. He's also apt at blocking shots when needed, making him ideal for the two-way game. Compare that to Marchessault, who's vastly limited in his role. He's 5'9", weighs 185 lbs., and is 34 years old. What role will a 34-year-old winger take on aside from being a sniper?
When you have a 24-year-old who's 6'1" and weighs 194 lbs., it's easier to fit him into the system. With the Predators forward, he was confined to being a sniper with a good shot. Yet even that role has been taken over by a bigger, younger player. It only validated Kelly McCrimmon's decision to let the "Misfit" walk after contract negotiations broke down.
Do fans (such as myself) miss Jonathan Marchessault? Absolutely. He was an integral part in making the Vegas Golden Knights a hockey powerhouse. However, the NHL is a cutthroat business where cheaper, younger alternatives are a must. It makes that decision much easier with Dorofeyev's uprising in 2024-25. It's like they're in it to win Stanley Cups and the fans are onboard.