The Vegas Golden Knights are adapting well without Chandler Stephenson

Remember when panic settled in for Vegas Golden Knights fans after losing both Chandler Stephenson and Jonathan Marchessault? It felt like the world was ending. First, you lose an "Original Misfit" with countless franchise records and a key center who plays on any line. The initial reaction felt like this.

But let's focus on the latter for a second. Stephenson has had a solid career with the Golden Knights. He scored 75 goals and 162 assists for Vegas, establishing himself as a reliable, versatile center. He could be put on any line without question, adapting well to his new linemates.

The Seattle Kraken signed him to a seven-year, $6.25 million AAV deal as a result. The goal? Have that same adaptability come into play and get the Kraken over the top.

However, it seems like that isn't the case. The Kraken were 5-8-1 entering Friday's contest, with Stephenson scoring one goal. Now, the 30-year-old wasn't known for scoring goals as much as he was setting up the attack. But a lonely goal in 14 games before facing his former team is rough.

It doesn't help that the Vegas Golden Knights were tied atop the Pacific Division with 19 points entering Friday. They've seen their top line soar, with Jack Eichel, Ivan Barbashev, and Mark Stone clicking together. The Golden Knights have watched their power play soar as well, with the unit finally passing well and getting bodies in front of the net.

How the Vegas Golden Knights aren't missing Chandler Stephenson

Believe it or not, Chandler Stephenson has been his normal self with the Seattle Kraken sans the goal scoring. He had eight assists in 14 games entering Friday's contest against the Vegas Golden Knights. That amounts to scoring 47 projected assists in a full 82-game slate, which would fall two short of his career-high.

But the Golden Knights appear set with their center situation already. When they acquired Tomas Hertl from the San Jose Sharks last March, the mission was adding more to the power play. Hertl has answered the call with three goals and three assists on the man advantage.

That's not to say that Stephenson hasn't been valuable for the Kraken on the man advantage. In fact, he has a goal and four assists heading into Friday's game. However, Hertl and Stone are creating endless scoring opportunities on Vegas's power play.

That's especially true given that Hertl is a bigger body than the six-foot center. The Czech forward can crash the net better, leaving goaltenders off-balance and vulnerable. Stone and Hertl can overwhelm their opponents, making the power play much better.

That's not the only thing, though

Having William Karlsson return from an undisclosed injury has also bolstered the center depth. The Swedish forward already has two goals and four assists in five games since he came back, giving the Golden Knights another scoring option.

There's also the emergence of Pavel Dorofeyev, who's adding goal-scoring in the top six. With a hard shot, smooth skating, and puck handling, he's becoming a lethal force in every game. Add a tough top line and the Golden Knights don't miss Stephenson much.

That explains why the Golden Knights were atop the Pacific Division with 19 points before Friday's game. Countless scoring options such as Hertl, Dorofeyev, and Eichel make the Golden Knights look like a Stanley Cup contender. The Kraken are hoping they can achieve the same success centered around Stephenson.