Sometimes, good problems arise from specific situations. That can range from having a month's worth of Arby's fries to watching two hated rivals battle for the last playoff spot. You know neither has a snowball's chance in the devil's playground of winning it all.
One can look at Noah Hanifin's situation with the Vegas Golden Knights and say the same thing. Last season, he scored 10 goals and 29 assists, with two goals and eight assists coming on the power play. He's not being noticed, yet that's a good thing. All the talent on the Golden Knights takes the pressure off of him.
Overall, it was a good showing despite some bumps in the road. The Boston native emerged as a solid two-way defenseman, scoring goals and using his size to suffocate opponents. However, it's not the way you think.
He blocked 106 shots in 2024-25, making him one of the most underrated defenders for Vegas. The former first-round pick proved you can use your size for other avenues, specifically on the blue line.
So, let's look at what's in store for Jack Eichel's best buddy. What can Golden Knights fans expect from the tall defenseman? Will he become visible to the average fan, or will he be relegated to being the team's resident version of John Cena?
What fans can expect from Noah Hanifin in 2025-26
Hanifin has a hard shot that he can deploy at any time. It makes him a potent offensive weapon, putting his opponents on his heels. He's also an excellent special teams player, specifcally as a power play facilitator.
However, not all is perfect in Hanifinland. Last season, the Boston native had a career-high 112 giveaways. It was the first time the defenseman went over 100 giveaways in that category, too.
Therefore, he must take better care of the puck next season. He must also become a physical presence in the game. Learning how to play better away from the puck will help him grow as a player, giving him more opportunities on the top pair.
Still, there are some things to love about his game. First, he's constantly improving his play. It doesn't matter if it's his hockey IQ or taking away passing and shooting lanes. Growing as a player will get him recognized by the fans.
Currently, Hanifin had a similar gimmick to Cody Rhodes pre-American Nightmare. He's recognized as "Jack Eichel's best friend" rather than being a good all-around defenseman. A breakout 2025-26 campaign will change all that, putting him on the radar for many fans.
Wouldn't that be eye-catching?