3 potential team MVPs for the Vegas Golden Knights in 2024-25
Who could be the biggest contributors for the Vegas Golden Knights this season? Here's a look at three names.
There's nothing more exciting than October rolling around in Las Vegas. That means the NFL season is in full swing (even if the Raiders are awful), the weather's cooler, and hockey has returned. Wait, can you repeat that last part again? I think I heard something about the NHL season returning.
That's right. The 2024-25 season will start on October 9, when the Vegas Golden Knights play against the Colorado Avalanche at T-Mobile Arena.
Hopefully, you have your TNT app downloaded or your tickets ready. Hockey season is the most glorious time for sports fans in the Las Vegas area. It means watching one of the most successful teams in the past decade take the ice, giving fans a quality product. Big names such as Jack Eichel and Mark Stone will create fantastic moments for the Golden Knights faithful, leaving them in awe.
But the 2024-25 season will also see newer faces step onto the ice for a full campaign. That includes Tomas Hertl and Noah Hanifin. These players were acquired to bolster the Golden Knights offensively, giving them more bite on even strength and the power play. The latter has been a beleaguered unit since the team began play, which should help them this year.
Let's examine who the three team MVPs will be for Vegas this season. These stars keep the team up and running, giving them much-needed star power to compete in the NHL. Without them, the Golden Knights are sunk and unable to fight for the Stanley Cup. Who are these mysterious three valuable stars for the franchise this season?
Jack Eichel
This should go without saying that Jack Eichel appears on this list. He's become the de facto face of the organization in recent months, acting as the superstar of the Vegas Golden Knights. It's something the franchise has searched for since their remarkable Stanley Cup Final run in 2017-18, where they needed someone to carry the load.
Last season, Eichel scored 31 goals and 37 assists for the Golden Knights, giving them an offensive bite. He scored 11 goals and 11 assists on the power play, strengthening the special teams unit. The former second-overall draft pick has also proven himself as a great postseason performer, scoring nine goals and 24 assists in 29 career playoff games.
It's easy to see why Eichel would earn MVP honors for the team this season. He runs the offense well and is one of the better centers in the NHL today. Few players carry the offensive acumen or skill set that the forward does. Where would the Golden Knights be if he wasn't on the team? They wouldn't be a playoff team, let alone hoisting the Stanley Cup in 2023.
Mark Stone
This list also wouldn't be complete without the Vegas Golden Knights captain, Mark Stone. The center has played a similar role to Jack Eichel offensively, only he doesn't score as many goals as the superstar center. Still, Stone makes up for it with quality two-way play, turning him into an all-around threat when healthy.
The Captain scored 16 goals and 53 points in 56 games last season, putting up solid production despite a ruptured spleen. That included 10 power play assists, where he kept the special teams unit afloat. Fans can expect a big season from Stone if he's on the ice for most (or all) of 82 games in 2024-25.
Seeing the forward play the full length of the season will be paramount to the Golden Knights exceeding expectations. Vegas lost a chunk of their scoring talent during the offseason, leaving them with less bite. But the upside is there, especially with younger players like Alexander Holtz and Brendan Brisson entering the mix. Still, that starts with Stone, who can take Vegas's offense to the next level if healthy.
Noah Hanifin
Here's a dark horse candidate for you to consider. Noah Hanifin came into the mix during last season's trade deadline, adding a solid offensive mind on the blue line. In 19 games with the Vegas Golden Knights, he scored two goals (both on the power play) and 10 assists. That gave the team much-needed strength scoring-wise while becoming into a stronger group.
He'll bring that offensive insight to the top defensive pairing, making him and Alex Pietrangelo a great duo. That should help players like Mark Stone and Jack Eichel carry the offense, whether it's on even strength or the power play. Given his ability to read defenses and properly set up a scoring play, Vegas will depend heavily on his expertise to compete.
Hanifin gave Golden Knights fans a small sample of what he can do in 2023-24. Now, he'll have the opportunity to carry the team in 2024-25 in a full campaign, where he'll become an essential part of the offense. The team will appreciate his efforts throughout the season, especially if he tallies 30+ assists during a full season. That will turn Vegas into a full-fledged threat in the NHL, where experts won't take the team for granted.
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