Outgoing free agents for the Vegas Golden Knights
Jonathan Marchessault isn't the only Vegas Golden Knight who's hitting free agency on July 1st. The Golden Knights have five forwards altogether becoming unrestricted free agents on that date (including Marchessault). The sudden exodus places a greater emphasis on filling in these voids, specifically through free agency.
Chandler Stephenson is another notable forward hitting free agency. The center scored 16 goals and 35 assists this season for Vegas, a down year in production from his previous campaign (16 goals, 49 assists in 2022-23). He could be a name to watch for a potential reunion if Marchessault goes elsewhere.
But some names won't return to the Golden Knights organization, including William Carrier and Anthony Mantha. For Carrier, a wave of injuries kept him off the ice during his Vegas tenure, leaving the team to search for a reliable fourth-line player. For Mantha, he was a trade deadline acquisition that didn't pan out. As for defensemen, there's Alec Martinez, who's 36 years old and will likely get a deal elsewhere.
Again, the main focus will be Jonathan Marchessault because of what he brings to the Vegas Golden Knights. Not many free agents snipe as well as the winger, with many teams seeking another reliable offensive talent. Plus, his power play acumen makes him a vital asset to the organization, bolstering them offensively. Vegas can get a good deal with Marchessault compared to bigger names like Sam Reinhart, who will likely fetch bigger deals.