Some people might not like it. However, Vegas Golden Knights fans can relate to it. The Los Angeles Dodgers have become a hated sports team in their respective leagues, winning back-to-back World Series titles on Saturday. They defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in 11 innings, 5-4, clinching their ninth World Series title in franchise history.
Sports owners were crying about the Dodgers spending money to lure the best players, calling for a salary cap. It sounds similar to other fans crying about Kelly McCrimmon's (alleged) LTIR circumvention... or something to that effect. It's amazing what consistent winning can do to other teams that haven't tasted it, eh?
But the Golden Knights have the table set for a run similar to that of the Dodgers. You see, they're comparable to Los Angeles in numerous ways. Two attractive destinations that have intelligent front offices. For every McCrimmon lies an Andrew Friedman willing to pull the trigger on a big move.
It's almost poetic. Like it's in motion.
Still, let's look at how the Golden Knights can follow a similar path to the Dodgers. It involves role players carrying the load and stepping up. That way, you can go further and win back-to-back Stanley Cups. Wouldn't that be delicious to watch?
How the Vegas Golden Knights can follow suit and become the NHL's version of the Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers are down, 4-3, in the top of the ninth. There's one out and Miguel Rojas is at the plate. Mind you, the shortstop has an average annual salary of $5.5 million, which is essentially chump change in MLB. He has a 3-2 count against Toronto Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman. That's when he blasts a homer to tie the game.
After that? Will Smith (not the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, mind you) hits World Series-clinching home run in the top of the 11th. Not Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, or Mookie Betts. All role players who stepped up when called upon for the Dodgers.
That's a similar approach that the Golden Knights must take this season and beyond. That means the lower lines must break out of their current slump and step up. That way, they can pick up the slack, similar to how the Edmonton Oilers eliminated Vegas in the second round last season. When Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl weren't as effective, the scoring depth stepped up for Edmonton, clinching the series.
The Golden Knights can take a page from the 2023 Stanley Cup run to achieve this
Kelly McCrimmon always talks about how Stanley Cup-winning teams have the depth to win it all. He mentions how every line looks good from top to bottom, with contributors at every turn. That's no different for the 2023 team that won the Stanley Cup, specifically with its top performers.
We're talking about 12 skaters hitting double digits in points. It didn't matter if it was Jack Eichel setting up scoring chances or Jonathan Marchessault clinching the Conn Smythe trophy. The Golden Knights had scoring from everyone involved.
Compare that to 2024-25, when the Golden Knights only had... one player (Jack Eichel with 10 points). There's a notable difference between the two teams, specifically when 2023 Michael Amadio matched Jack Eichel's last postseason run. When everything's clicking, magical things will happen.
Therefore, it's on the Golden Knights to make that happen this season. Then, they must do that again the next season. Your role players must step up when called upon, a la Miguel Rojas and Will Smith, to win the championships. That way, you can fuel the hatred from other teams, similar to how the Los Angeles Dodgers are doing so.