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.