The Hockey Writers released a list of the five best offenses in the NHL heading to the 2024-25 season. There were some obvious names on the list, including the Edmonton Oilers (No.1) and Vancouver Canucks (No. 5). There were also some surprises, such as the New Jersey Devils being ranked (No. 4) and not the Colorado Avalanche. Not surprisingly, the Vegas Golden Knights weren't on that list despite having Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, and Noah Hanifin.
One would say the Golden Knights would barely be in the top ten if they were lucky. No longer having prominent names like Jonathan Marchessault and Chandler Stephenson hurts the ranking. Of course, it doesn't help that losing lower-line scoring such as Michael Amadio and William Carrier leaves a void. Therefore, not being ranked is justified.
However, there are some things they can do during the regular season to remedy this issue. In fact, there are some viable ways the Golden Knights can tackle the offensive deficit. The problem is salary cap space is tight, with Vegas sitting at -$3,639,983 of non-LTIR space. That leaves some pressing questions.
Could they make a big move and trade for somebody? Perhaps getting that big name and offloading a defenseman will help the team. Maybe it's staying healthy for most of the year and avoiding injuries. Seeing players like Stone and Eichel play for a whole season could solve matters. Here are some ways the Golden Knights can climb the rankings.
The Vegas Golden Knights must get a big name to complement Jack Eichel
This has been mentioned numerous times, specifically with the Mitch Marner and Patrik Laine rumors swirling around. The Golden Knights desperately need a complementary winger for Jack Eichel after Marchessault left the team. It would improve them by leaps and bounds, giving the Massachusetts native a sidekick on the right wing.
But this would be more complicated than what appears on the surface. Aside from the salary cap issues, the Golden Knights would part with prospects and draft picks in a Laine trade. Considering the farm system doesn't have much bite to it (aside from names like Trevor Connelly and Carl Lindbom), it would make matters tough for Kelly McCrimmon.
As for Toronto, they're looking to clear up salary cap space themselves, sitting at $1,275,333 in non-LTIR space. The Golden Knights would have to part with some names to even out the trade, i.e. Shea Theodore and Brayden McNabb. The circumstances would need to be right for this move to happen, adding two departing defensemen and Robin Lehner's LTIR amount.