Normally, I'm not a person to worry about the Vegas Golden Knights. They have all the pieces needed to win it all in 2025-26, including the person that the Toronto people refer to as "Voldemort." On top of that, you have guys coming off career years who've found their footing in the NHL.
But back to Toronto for a second. They've said plenty of things about this "Voldemort"-like character. That includes sacrificing his baby and posting his address online.
Of course, those people might be bitter that said superstar left for Las Vegas, where it doesn't snow as much (or at all, mind you). Sounds like some people need a therapy session for a relationship not working.
But I'm not worried about Canadians crossing the border and burning Sin City down. They seem like they, well, don't care too much about America right now. That's excluding the Edmonton residents with a heated (and legitimate) rivalry with the Golden Knights. They have their reasons for hating Las Vegas.
Instead, it's one particular area that changed over the summer. No longer do you see familiar faces that won the Stanley Cup. Instead, you have a couple of new names in place of these familiar faces. That's enough to have a fan worried about the team's overall structure and well-being.
The Vegas Golden Knights blue line worries me
Now, hold on for a second. I know what you're thinking.
"How can a team with names such as Shea Theodore (50 assists last season), Noah Hanifin (10 goals and 29 assists last season), and Brayden McNabb (167 blocked shots and 131 hits in 2024-25) possibly worry you?"
Well, it's a matter of trying to make the pieces fit. That's especially true when you're missing a true all-around defenseman in Alex Pietrangelo. What made the two-time Stanley Cup champion special?
For one, he served a purpose on both ends of the ice. Offensively, he could act as a facilitator, setting up solid scoring chances for his team. Scoring 148 assists during his five seasons in Vegas made him one of the most important offensive pieces on the Golden Knights.
But that's not all. He also blocked shots, blocking 720 during his five-year tenure. Even when his health deteriorated, Pietrangelo gave 100% on every play by diving in on shots and poke-checking at every opportunity.
Where will you find that same all-around greatness? Who could be the player that steps into that role and takes the reins for Vegas? Many people don't understand that Pietrangelo was integral in bringing the Stanley Cup to Las Vegas in 2023. That 100% effort on every play made him the ideal 1D blue liner for a Stanley Cup winner.
Now? You're relying on players who have niches. That's not bad, especially if you can pair two peas in a pod like Theodore and McNabb. However, it complicates things if you're solely relying on players who are either great offensively or structurally sound defensively.
In turn, that could lead to problems for Adin Hill and Akira Schmid. The goaltending relied the size that Pietrangelo and Nicolas Hague carried on the blue line in 2024-25. Without that size and that elite defenseman, that could cause problems for the netminders.
Are there pairings that could potentially work?
One pairing that could potentially be a boon (if tried) is McNabb and Kaedan Korczak. Last season, the pair played together for 26 games and posted an xGoals% of 61.6 (fourth-best in the NHL, minimum 150 minutes). According to MoneyPuck, the duo also had an xGoals% For Per 60 minutes of 3.08 (18th in the NHL).
Both blue liners play a tenacious style that puts their bodies on the line every play. This could be a great second pair if Korczak proves he can fit in with the Golden Knights consistently. Another solid pair could be Noah Hanifin and Zach Whitecloud. The pair posted an xGoals% For Per 60 minutes of 3.14 (14th in the NHL) and an xGoals% of 56.6 (tied for 35th in the NHL).
That leaves us with... Shea Theodore and Jeremy Lauzon.
Both defenders carry contrasting styles that are more extreme than Theodore and McNabb being together. One is a two-way playmaker who facilitates the play while the other checks people. A lot. However, that physicality could complement the Misfit perfectly, setting up opportunities on the rush.
The good news is that the season hasn't started yet. Therefore, these could become mere delusions of my own mind. They might even be hot takes in the spirit of a Bay Area bellhop. But it'll be something to watch for, specifically if Adin Hill and Akira Schmid aren't given the best looks up front.