Preseason hockey is underway, with Vegas Golden Knights fans looking forward to the intense action. Soon, everyone's favorite players will grace the ice with their presence. That includes names like Jack Eichel, Ivan Barbashev, and Mark Stone. It's a glorious time to be an NHL fan, especially if you live in Las Vegas.
That also means professional tryouts are happening, with names like Viliam Kmec already being cut. The rosters will soon be set and the team will trot out their Stanley Cup-contending lineups against each other. Well, many of them will be contending for the Stanley Cup. You can't say that about teams like the Anaheim Ducks or San Jose Sharks. Teams like these are rebuilding for a brighter future and have no hope of winning a title now.
But that's not where Golden Knights fans are looking. They want to win now, meaning the front office and Bruce Cassidy must construct the best lineup possible. Names like Victor Olofsson and Alexander Holtz will enter the forefront, providing a different look on the wing. Will that help Vegas in 2024-25? Stay tuned, for that will come later in the show!
In the meantime, let's look at the lineup and predict the top six. These are based on what's seen from training camp and preseason, so expect some surprises... or not. It's not October 9 yet, so some predictions might fall flat. Still, let's have fun constructing the Opening Night lineup for the Golden Knights.
The top line has familiar faces with Jack Eichel and Ivan Barbashev... and one new face
Jack Eichel and Ivan Barbashev will return to the top line for another season for the Vegas Golden Knights. Eichel will be the first center while the Russian forward will occupy the left wing, marking another year the duo's been together. Last season, the pair played 668:09 TOI together according to Natural Stat Trick, with 36 goals scored and 23 allowed (61.02 GF%). Vegas's success will hinge on both superstars being present for the upcoming hockey year.
That's especially true when Barbashev didn't play alongside his fellow center. The top line only scored 26 and allowed 22 (54.17 GF%) in 475:34 TOI without Eichel. The former second-overall pick's presence is crucial to the team's success, especially if he's playing with the Russian winger. The two complement each other and have good speed on the rush, making them a formidable challenge for anyone defending them.
But Eichel will have a fellow former Buffalo Sabres star on the top unit. Victor Olofsson will occupy the right wing for the Golden Knights, despite scoring seven goals and eight assists. There are other options for the right wing for Bruce Cassidy if Olofsson doesn't work out for Vegas on the first line. That includes Mark Stone and Nicolas Roy, players who could fit in effortlessly. Their versatility offers lineup flexibility should Vegas lose one of their top line players, filling a void while they recover.
The second line of Mark Stone, William Karlsson, and Pavel Dorofeyev might be the best for the Vegas Golden Knights
When training camp started, Bruce Cassidy trotted out a second line consisting of Stone, William Karlsson, and Pavel Dorofeyev. Part of Karlsson being on the second line is based on how well he does with the Captain. The pair didn't spend much time together in 2023-24, only playing 47:07 in TOI. But in that span, it produced decent results, with the Vegas Golen Knights scoring five goals while allowing none. The team also had 37 shots while allowing 17 with Karlsson and Stone on the ice.
While that's a small sample, it shows promise that the second line can be Vegas's best. Mark Stone scored 16 goals and 37 assists in 2023-24 while Karlsson scored 30 goals and 30 assists. The Captain should occupy the right wing, with the potential to move up to the top line if something goes awry. Here, he can act as the anchor for the group, providing scoring in high-danger spots.
As for Karlsson? He'll be the second center behind Jack Eichel. However, the beauty of this lineup is Cassidy can bump up Tomas Hertl with it making minimal difference. Both Hertl and Karlsson are solid two-way players who add more to their respective lines. Therefore, he can swap one out if they're on a cold streak.
But the most underrated part of this line is Pavel Dorofeyev, who should be on the left wing. Last season, the Russian winger scored 13 goals in 47 games, providing the Golden Knights a pleasant surprise. He's expected to take the next step in the lineup, providing ample scoring as he develops further. The good news is that Dorofeyev added bulk to his frame from years prior, making him a better two-way player. Overall, this could be Vegas's best line based on the balance alone, with each player providing solid scoring and defense.