This upcoming offseason is set to become the most important in Vegas Golden Knights history. There's a certain player named Jonathan Marchessault who's the centerpiece of Vegas's offseason plans (more on that later). While everything will revolve around last season's Conn Smythe winner, other pressing concerns persist for the Golden Knights.
For example, how will they address the outgoing forwards? Who will they pick in the NHL Draft to fill their farm system? Which free agents are a good fit in Vegas? All these questions will loom large for hockey fans in Las Vegas, where they're going all-in on their Stanley Cup contention window. It seems like a tightrope for Kelly McCrimmon and company to walk, especially with an airtight salary cap.
However, other news bits are floating around, including the possibility of Mitch Marner coming to Sin City. These rumors add another layer of drama to the Jonathan Marchessault situation, leaving fans to further speculate if he'll return. Of course, they don't want to see the "Golden Misfit" leave town, which would leave fans in utter shock.
With all that comes an offseason primer that has plenty to talk about. That includes an upcoming NHL Draft, enticing free agents, and potential trade targets. Let's get down to business and look at what the Vegas Golden Knights should prepare for in the upcoming weeks.
Targets for the Vegas Golden Knights
The most obvious target for the Vegas Golden Knights should be Jonathan Marchessault. There are non-competitive reasons for his return, such as the fanbase loving him and his charity work. However, Marchessault brings more to the table than simply being an all-around good guy.
Last season's Conn Smythe winner is also a proficient sniper, scoring timely goals for the Golden Knights. He set a career-high in that category this season with 42, bolstering his value as one of the top free agents in the offseason. Therefore, he'll have a hefty price tag to return to Vegas, making matters tough for a team with little wiggle room.
There are plenty of cheaper options to fill the lower lines, though. Free agents like Dakota Joshua and Warren Foegele can come in and score for Vegas. However, the focus will primarily be on Jonathan Marchessault, who wants to return to Las Vegas for an encore. It's only a matter of whether Kelly McCrimmon can make the necessary moves to open up enough cap space.