What I'll miss about Chandler Stephenson

Chandler Stephenson has achieved some cool feats during his Vegas Golden Knights career. He's the all-time leader in shooting percentage for the franchise (15.6%) and won a Stanley Cup in 2023. He had a stellar postseason that year, scoring 10 goals and 10 assists. The center also had 49 assists during the 2022-23 regular season, falling one shy of the club record.

It's easy to see why fans would fall in love with an underrated player, especially since he was a crucial offensive piece. However, he's gone to the Seattle Kraken, where he'll catch flying salmon at Pike Place Market. It's a nice gig for the Saskatoon native, who received a good seven-year deal worth $6.25 million AAV.

That might seem like a troubling deal for the Kraken, specifically if they want to sustain long-term success. Having long contracts as an anchor is never good for any sports team since it takes up cap space and resources. However, Seattle's hoping to go all-in like the Golden Knights and revel in some Stanley Cup success.

But let's look at the other side of the coin. What will be the one thing that I'll miss about the former Golden Knights center? What did the superstar bring to the team that made them special? Let's salute this diamond in the rough and look at how he stood out.

Chandler Stephenson was a versatile player for the Vegas Golden Knights (and will be with the Seattle Kraken)

The thing that made Chandler Stephenson a unique player was his adaptability. It didn't matter if he was on the top line with Ivan Barbashev or working the third-line shift with William Karlsson. The Saskatoon native could be placed anywhere in the lineup and fit in seamlessly. Therefore, he was the optimal fit for the Vegas Golden Knights.

That versatility comes from his shooting accuracy, where he times his shots perfectly. He can shoot from the point and in front of the goaltender, making him a dangerous threat at any time. That's what will be missed with the center, specifically when the Golden Knights need a timely goal. Take this goal against the Winnipeg Jets as a perfect example.

He had a penchant for watching the play unfold, acting accordingly with a timely move. Combined with speed and agility, his scoring prowess was amplified. The Golden Knights will have more power and physical strength with Tomas Hertl taking his place. Like Stephenson, the Czech star also carries adaptability, only he'll act as an imposing figure in front of the net.

The Seattle Kraken will have the speedy forward on their team for seven years maximum. Whether that contract works for them will be determined down the road. However, his scoring prowess and hockey sense made him a threat, with fans (myself included) appreciating his work.