Some goal-scorers are more valuable than others. They can create points out of thin air, where it becomes magnified. In fact, their production becomes bigger in the form of adjusted points, where various factors constitute these statistics. That includes the number of games in a season and the type of era they play in.
The Vegas Golden Knights have an embarrassment of riches in this regard. Countless players have done better than what's given on the stat sheet. That includes Jack Eichel, William Karlsson, Mark Stone, and the franchise leader in everything, Jonathan Marchessault. It's good to be the king, especially when you've found countless overlooked gems in the NHL.
It's no wonder they've been an instant success in the NHL, garnering a lifetime winning percentage of .581. That includes a points percentage of .627, where they've been a surefire bet to succeed. The Golden Knights will enter their eighth season with these same expectations, where fans expect another playoff run.
Yes, certain key pieces are missing from previous playoff runs. However, the expectation is to be competitive in the NHL. That means getting more of those sweet adjusted goals, which magnify a player's importance in their given time. So who was the best player at generating goals beyond the stat sheet?
William Karlsson has the most adjusted goals in a single-season with the Vegas Golden Knights
Karlsson is well-known for being one of the most recognizable "Original Misfits" in franchise history. He also holds the Vegas Golden Knights record for most single-season goals, scoring 43 in 2017-18. The Swedish forward was a key part of that season's miracle run, where he also set the single-season points record with 78.
He also holds the single-season title of most adjusted goals with 44. William Karlsson was extremely efficient in the franchise's first season and got an extra hypothetical goal from the ordeal. Jonathan Marchessault came close to besting his fellow "Misfit" with 42 last season. That would've been another record that Nashville Thanos would've grabbed for himself, establishing himself as the franchise face.
Meanwhile, Max Pacioretty scored 37 adjusted goals twice (2019-20 and 2020-21). Reilly Smith (2019-20) and Mark Stone (2020-21) tied for fifth with 32, while Jack Eichel finished seventh with 31. Karlsson (2023-24) also tied for the eighth spot with Erik Haula (2017-18) with 30. Marchessault holds the tenth spot with 29, achieving this in 2021-22.
There's nothing like scoring an onslaught of goals for your team. The Vegas Golden Knights have established themselves as a team with balanced scoring on all lines. They've used that balance to create postseason success, where they've become a household name in the hockey world. With names like Karlsson and Stone, fans can expect more of the same in 2024-25.