When you lose almost half of your starting forwards from a season ago, you expect other players to pick up the slack. That means having everybody stay as healthy as possible and players on the lower units pulling their weight. Some names like Pavel Dorofeyev have done this since last season, earning themselves a top-six spot.
But for others, the pressure mounts. Names like Jack Eichel and Mark Stone have been sidelined with various injuries, ranging from knee issues to... lacerated spleens. Yeah, it sounds weird from a glance. However, health problems hampered any hopes of a Golden Knights repeat for the Stanley Cup.
This season won't be as forgiving, with a new power emerging in the Vancouver Canucks. There are also those pesky Edmonton Oilers, a group led by that Connor McDavid guy and his trusty sidekick, Leon Draisaitl. Those two look to cause trouble in the Pacific Division again.
The Golden Knights must watch for up-and-coming teams like the Seattle Kraken and Anaheim Ducks. But Vegas has a team of savvy veterans who can get the job done. That includes Eichel, Stone, and William Karlsson, seasoned forwards who can set up scoring opportunities. Speaking of which, here's who'll lead the team in assists for the 2024-25 season.
Why Jack Eichel (followed closely by Mark Stone) will lead the Vegas Golden Knights in assists in 2024-25
It's an easy bet to pick Jack Eichel to lead the Vegas Golden Knights in assists for the 2024-25 season. He's one of the top centers in the NHL, as proven by his top-ten standing in the NHL Network's 20-best centers list. Besides, he led the team in assists in 2023-24 (37), so what's not to say he'll do it again?
But what happens if he's out with another injury? What if he suffers a spleen injury of his own and misses time? That could pave the way for Mark Stone to lead the team. The Captain has produced two seasons of 40 or more assists with the Golden Knights (2019-20 and 2020-21). Therefore, fans can bet on the forward to potentially hit that mark again.
But what happens if BOTH players miss time this season? Could we see William Karlsson lead the team? The Swedish forward has shown incredible adaptability over the years, playing with any line and player. It wouldn't be surprising to see him do this here, especially with a new young winger in Alexander Holtz.
Still, all signs point to Eichel leading the Golden Knights in assists for the 2024-25 season. He's the go-to guy for many reasons, specifically with his on-ice vision and top-tier puck handling. Still, there's a good reason to bet on names like Stone, Karlsson and even a defenseman (Shea Theodore or Noah Hanifin?) to take the title.