There's no such thing as an everlasting party. You must turn out the lights at some point and go home. The Vegas Golden Knights learned that the hard way in 2025-26, especially against playoff-position teams. Sunday's game against the Edmonton Oilers is a perfect example of this.
The Oilers doubled up the Golden Knights 4-2 in yet another underwhelming performance. It was a game that Vegas simply couldn't finish their scoring chances against a weakened Edmonton defense. Suddenly, Golden Knights fans were wondering if the party was finally over.
That also means that some key personnel are feeling their seats getting warm. Somebody must take the fall for the Golden Knights for this abomination of a season. Could it be Bruce Cassidy? Perhaps it's Kelly McCrimmon? Regardless, Golden Knights fans are starting to point fingers and it isn't pretty.
So, let's try and keep this party running. How can the Golden Knights continue to be the bane of everyone's existence? What can McCrimmon do to keep Vegas's machine oiled and running?
How the Vegas Golden Knights can fix their current problems for the long-term?
How do you keep the party going when the sun is rising? You look at what's wrong with the system. People want to blame the goaltending for being absolutely horrid this season. That part is true, considering that the following netminders have been below average for the Golden Knights.
But what if I told you that the goaltending problem stemmed from a bigger symptom? For example, the Golden Knights have dealt with a lack of reliable back-end defensemen and forwards. Without players taking away high-danger chances and space, that has left opponents to feast on the goaltending.
Names like Nicolas Hague and Zach Whitecloud come to mind here. Of course, the blue line's dynamic has drastically changed without Alec Martinez and Alex Pietrangelo around. However, one can't deny that completely gutting the stay-at-home department has drastically hurt the Golden Knights here.
Who could fill the void for Vegas?
Andrew Peeke is one option that makes sense. He's a right-handed shot who's also edging on 28 years old. The Boston Bruins defenseman also averages 2.1 defensive point shares in an 82-game setting, making him perfect for the defensive system.
You can also look at Timothy Liljegren as another viable name. He fits the same mold as Peeke in many respects: young, right-handed, and a defensive player. He averages three defensive point shares in 82 games and can even add some scoring. He averages 19 assists in an 82-game setting. Heck, Logan Stanley is available if the Golden Knights want to add youth.
Of course, this will involve exploring big names being traded. Mark Stone will be tough to move because of a no-trade clause. But names like Ivan Barbashev, William Karlsson, and even lower-line stars like Brett Howden and Keegan Kolesar could be looked at. Why?
Well, you gotta decide on who you're re-signing. Pavel Dorofeyev is due to get an expensive contract, as is Rasmus Andersson. Keeping both requires extensive restructuring, meaning key pieces are out the door. Whatever the case, Kelly McCrimmon better hit a home run because the sun is rising quickly.