Expectations can be funny things. Fans for teams like the Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers, and Vancouver Canucks expect their franchises to compete for a Stanley Cup this season, boasting some of the best hockey players around. That includes Jack Eichel, Quinn Hughes, Leon Draisaitl, and Connor McLovesblacklicorice-I mean, Connor McDavid.
There are plenty of reasons to believe these teams will be competitive, whether it's boasting the best top-six forward group in the world or being strong down the middle. These franchises want to rule the world (as does everybody else), yet only one can hoist the Stanley Cup come June. Who will be the lucky franchise to do so?
Better yet, what are the expectations for the Golden Knights? How well will they do in a Pacific Division that's still developing, but getting better? First, let's examine Vegas's work from last season and how they did. The team's expectations will also be looked at after winning the Stanley Cup a year prior.
Everyone expected the Golden Knights to compete for a Stanley Cup. They had everything, including a top line of Eichel and Jonathan Marchessault, and one of the best blue lines in the NHL. There wasn't any reason why they couldn't repeat as Stanley Cup champions.
But the main problem was the team being tired and injured. They were eliminated by the Dallas Stars in the first round in seven games, leaving them to lick their wounds. That same Stars team would be eliminated by the Oilers in the Western Conference Final. Talk about the pain of coming up short on expectations.
What about now for the Vegas Golden Knights?
The one thing the Vegas Golden Knights have that the Edmonton Oilers don't is that solid, well-rounded defense. Sure, Edmonton's blue line has names like Darnell Nurse and Evan Bouchard. These players will be the glue for the Oilers defensively. However, the Golden Knights are able to do more things with their more players in the group, whether it's backchecking or acting as an attacking wingman.
As for the Vancouver Canucks, they don't have the playoff experience the Golden Knights do. Last season, they struggled to get past the Nashville Predators (before they got Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault to pick up some cowboy boots). While they did take Edmonton to seven games without Thatcher Demko, they're still raw as a playoff team. The Golden Knights still have key pieces from their Stanley Cup run, including Jack Eichel and Mark Stone.
Still, there are still pluses for the Canucks and Oilers that Vegas doesn't have. For Vancouver, they have a solid starting goaltender in Thatcher Demko (despite being hurt) and world-beating offensive options. For Edmonton, there's Leon Draisaitl and Connor McHolysocks-I mean, Connor McDavid. Having the two best players in the world gives you a chance at the Stanley Cup, as was proven last year. They're expected to be the Stanley Cup favorites again because of their top six.
What about the rest of the Pacific Division, sans the Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers?
Aside from the Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers, there isn't much competition for the Vegas Golden Knights in the Pacific Division... at least, on paper. The Calgary Flames, San Jose Sharks, and Anaheim Ducks are in the midst of rebuilding. The Seattle Kraken and Los Angeles Kings are fringe playoff teams that are, well, bland.
The Kings can frustrate you with their defensive formations and that's it. Meanwhile, the Kraken have a younger, inexperienced core, as proven by Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues. That should bode well for Vegas to get a playoff spot... on paper.
Besides, none of these aforementioned teams have superstars like Quinn Hughes, Elias Pettersson, or Connor McScaredofketchup-I mean, Connor McDavid. Therefore, it stands with good reason that the Vegas Golden Knights will compete with the Canucks and Oilers for the Pacific Division throne. So what is the expectation for Vegas?
Honestly, Golden Knights fans should expect to be the third-place team in the Pacific Division. Currently, they're set to make the playoffs, with the divisional final being their ceiling. However, if they get a big name at the trade deadline (maybe Frank Vatrano or another big-name winger or goaltender?), that could move the needle.
The expectation will be in the Western Conference Final or even the Stanley Cup Final with a huge name on board. Of course, Jack Eichel and the Golden Knights have dealt with lower expectations before. Fans remember how that went after they missed the playoffs a season prior.