Pavel Dorofeyev is turning into the Vegas Golden Knights's future

Last season, Pavel Dorofeyev scored a team-high 35 goals. It ushered in an arrival of sorts, signifying that the Vegas Golden Knights winger has become a breakout star in the NHL. So, what can the man do for an encore?

Why, you lead the team in goals again. Simple solution. The Russian winger already has four goals this season, including three on the power play. Not only is that total good enough to top the team, it's good enough for a top spot in the NHL entering Friday. Yes, it's two games. But you must give the man his props.

Fans are starting to notice Dorofeyev's talents as an NHL star. However, the rest of the league is starting to pick up on him, even if he's not destined to score a projected 164 goals this season. That could be bad news for the league, especially with last season's second-best power play (28.3%) picking up right where it left off.

How is Pavel Dorofeyev erupting on the scene as a Vegas Golden Knights superstar?

One answer is relatively simple. Dorofeyev has found a comfortable spot on the power play and is abusing it. He's graviting past the faceoff circle and snipes his shot. Take this power play goal as a perfect example of how he's making his newfound living.

Normally, he could be found sitting atop the umbrella and firing his shot there. However, a minor adjustment in his game has proven fruitful. Suddenly, the penalty kill can't catch him in time to neutralize him, leaving the Russian star to fire his shot.

Part of this has been the unit's ability to pass the puck fluently. In turn, that creates incredible scoring opportunities for players like Dorofeyev. However, credit must go to the 24-year-old himself. Not only did he adapt when opposing penalty kills snuffed him out in his old spot, but he's flourishing in his new spot. He's abusing the play and capitalizing on the penalty kill being heavily invested in one side.

The result? More goals for Dorofeyev.

Can the Golden Knights keep Dorofeyev if he keeps up his pace?

Given that he's a restricted free agent after this season with arbitration rights, it stands with good reason that his price tag will shoot up. I mean, you don't get paid $5 million AAV just for scoring four goals per season, right? The franchise expects you to do more as a player, specifically if you want to win a Stanley Cup.

While Dorofeyev's price tag goes up like Bitcoin with each goal, fans can still confide in Kelly McCrimmon to get a deal done. After all, he's well-versed in salary cap gymnastics and offloading certain contracts.

Nicolas Hague is a perfect example of this. The defenseman was a restricted free agent last summer before being traded to the Nashville Predators. His new contract? It's worth $5.5 million AAV.

Imagine if he stuck around with the Golden Knights. Now, you don't have Mitch Marner and are having trouble giving Jack Eichel a contract extension. On top of that, you're fretting about whether you can keep a rising Russian star like Dorofeyev. Now that's something nobody wants to face.