3 storylines for Vegas Golden Knights training camp
Good news, everyone! Training camp is coming up with hockey just around the corner. Here are three storylines to watch for.
To quote Professor Farnsworth: "Good news, everyone!"
NHL training camps are just around the corner, with the Vegas Golden Knights resuming action on September 19. Three days later, the Golden Knights will kick off preseason hockey with a game against the... San Jose Sharks. Although fans aren't going to see a controversial cross-checking major called, there will still be plenty of "friendly" rival banter.
But this isn't your average Vegas training camp this season. Sure, there are familiar faces such as Mark Stone, Shea Theodore, and William Karlsson. However, a couple of "Misfits" have left town, with William Carrier off to watch a NASCAR race and Jonathan Marchessault set to become a country musician. Fans will wonder how the absences will affect the team, specifically without the Conn Smythe winner.
While there are some noteworthy absences, there are some new additions, including Alexander Holtz and Victor Olofsson. The wing position will be vital for the team's success, especially with Marchessault's departure. With newfound youth and upside, the Golden Knights are banking on Holtz and Pavel Dorofeyev to carry the load.
But there are bigger storylines outside of the wing players. In fact, there are three things Golden Knights fans should watch for in 2024-25. These will define how successful the team will be, whether it's in the Pacific Division or the Stanley Cup playoffs. How will the team respond? What adjustments will Bruce Cassidy make? Here are three storylines that will be under a microscope this season.
What will happen with the fourth line?
Nicolas Roy and Keegan Kolesar are expected to form two-thirds of the bottom line for the Vegas Golden Knights. Roy provides a more offensively-minded aspect to the group while Kolesar brings a physical style. But there's one guy missing from the bunch: William Carrier, who's departed to the Carolina Hurricanes.
Out goes the physicality that defined Carrier's career, where he had 1,116 hits in seven years with Vegas. The "Misfit" also had a scoring acumen to his game, with his career-high of 16 goals coming in 2022-23. That leaves a major question for Bruce Cassidy to answer: Who's the third guy to accompany Roy and Kolesar?
Would it be Brett Howden as projected, who's also physical and has some offensive capabilities? Is it Zach Aston-Reese, who was brought in from the Detroit Red Wings? The direction Cassidy chooses for the bottom group will be part of how the team is formed in 2024-25, along with the forecheck. It also indicates how Vegas wants to match up with teams like Edmonton and Vancouver. Do they want to stop the offensive onslaught and go toe-to-toe on each line?
What happens with Shea Theodore and the Vegas Golden Knights?
Shea Theodore has dealt with a wave of trade rumors and proposals throughout the summer. He's been linked to numerous teams, including a Mitch Marner-centered deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, those rumors are dying each passing day, indicating the defenseman is here for the season.
Even with the trade rumors squashed, there are still questions about his future with the Vegas Golden Knights. According to Elliotte Friedman, there have been no talks of a contract extension between either party. That could mean another "Original Misfit" goes out the door next summer, leaving William Karlsson as the lone wolf.
But there could also be an incentive to bring the star blue-liner back, especially when compared to Marchessault. For one, Theodore is younger (he's 29 compared to his "Misfit" counterpart being 33). He's also bigger (6'2", 197 lbs.) and runs the power play as efficiently as Marchessault did. While there's re-signing Jack Eichel, getting Theodore back and figuring out the rest later doesn't hurt, either.
Is the power play finally turning the corner?
When Tomas Hertl joined the Vegas Golden Knights, the power play unit became more efficient. The group scored 46.7% of their man advantage opportunities since he returned. The reason? Hertl was a big body that could deflect pucks and cause redirections. He scored a power play goal and power play assist in six games, aiding the cause for the Golden Knights.
While Hertl is expected to get plenty of ice time with Mark Stone, it raises the question of how effective the power play will be in 2024-25. Has Vegas finally solved their lack of a physical presence in front of the net? Will scoring on the man advantage become easier with Noah Hanifin and Hertl playing a full season with the Golden Knights?
Mind you, a part of the power play's success in that span also stemmed from Marchessault scoring a goal and assist on the unit. Chandler Stephenson also contributed well since April 8 despite playing three games by adding two assists. Both players are gone, meaning the Golden Knights must figure out how to handle the workload, whether it's Stone or Shea Theodore.
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