Sunday thoughts concerning the Stanley Cup

Monday, June 24, 2024, will be a sad day for Vegas Golden Knights fans. It's game seven of the Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers, with the winner taking home the ultimate prize. Many storylines surround the game, from Connor McDavid's solid Conn Smythe case to Florida trying to fend off a potential collapse.

So why is this day sad? It's the passing of the most prestigious trophy in sports, where a new champion will be crowned. No longer will the Golden Knights be the last team to win the title. Gary Bettman will pass the trophy onto a new champion on Monday night, with a city celebrating their team's victory.

It's sad because there were many incredible storylines Vegas had of their own. That includes the community rallying around the franchise after the terrible 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas and the "Golden Misfits." The expansion team that immediately became successful captivated the hearts of many, establishing themselves as a revered staple.

But Monday will bring a different day. Will the Florida Panthers, last season's Stanley Cup Final adversaries of the Vegas Golden Knights, win their first title? Or will McDavid and the Oilers bring the Stanley Cup back to Canada and break the country's excruciating drought? Whatever happens, will supersede last year's awe-inspiring storyline of a recent expansion team finishing the job.

There were countless memories of the Vegas Golden Knights winning the Stanley Cup

Once Monday passes, the 2023-24 season will wrap up and a new champion will be crowned. While the Vegas Golden Knights will no longer be the current champions, there are countless memories that fans can look back on. There will be Phil Kessel eating hot dogs from the Stanley Cup (again). There's also the postgame celebration at Circa, bringing the trophy to the locals.

Of course, drunken speeches also rival Brett Hull's legendary piece from 2019. That one should be well-known by Golden Knights fans by now. But it wraps up a memorable season from a team that took the NHL--and sports world--by storm.

While the "Vegas Party" is over, there's a chance to bring it back to the city. The franchise has brought in two long-term pieces in Noah Hanifin and Tomas Hertl, which is the start. However, the job's not complete and with free agency looming, the next moves will dictate whether the Vegas Golden Knights are reunited with the Stanley Cup.

It doesn't have to be the end, though

But this doesn't have to end. Getting Noah Hanifin and Tomas Hertl is just the start, with the Golden Knights already considering adding Mitch Marner. There's also a possibility of trading for Linus Ullmark, which would solidify Vegas as a top contender. Whatever the case, the contention window is wide open and the team is ready to pounce.

The next two weeks will determine whether the Vegas Golden Knights get the Stanley Cup back in the future. With five forwards hitting free agency and the team locked into their current contention window, there are going to be major moves made. If Kelly McCrimmon and Vegas get this right, expect to see another adventure with the prestigious trophy soon, Hangover-style.