LAS VEGAS (AP) — Last season: 39-26-17, lost in Stanley Cup Final.
COACH: Ryan Craig (first season).
SEASON OPENER: Sept. 29 vs. Chicago.
DEPARTURES: F Pavel Dorofeyev, F Keegan Kolesar, F Cole Smith, D Kaedan Korczak, G Akira Schmid.
ADDITIONS: F Victor Olofsson, F Marc Gatcomb, D Parker Wotherspoon.
GOALIES: Carter Hart (11-3-3, 2.71 goals-against average, .891 save percentage), Adin Hill (10-9-6, 3.04, .870).
The Golden Knights came within two victories
of winning the Stanley Cup last season, even holding a 2-1 series lead over Carolina before the Hurricanes won the final three games. Though there are some changes — most notably Dorofeyev and his 72 goals over the past two seasons is now with the New York Rangers — most of the roster is back as the team enters its 10th season.
That includes such star players as Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner and Mark Stone. The team is under new leadership, with Craig getting the promotion from the American Hockey League. He is the third coach since late March, with the Golden Knights firing Bruce Cassidy with eight games left in the regular season and dismissing John Tortorella despite the deep postseason run. Anything less than Craig leading the Golden Knights back into title contention would be a disappointment.
The good: Any roster that includes Eichel, Marner and Stone should be a playoff contender.. Stone produced a career-high 73 points to earn a two-year extension at $18 million. All three also are a reason Vegas was sixth on the power play, converting on 24.6% of its chances. Plus, the Golden Knights were effective on the penalty kill with an 81.4% rate for seventh. Given Craig has been in the organization throughout its history, there likely won't be many changes.
The not-so-good: Goaltending again is an open question. Cassidy was all set to ride Hill, who led Vegas to the 2023 Cup title, before he was let go. Tortorella immediately went with Hart, who led a late-season surge and went 12-4 over the first three rounds in the playoffs. Against Carolina, he became the first goalie to allow four or more goals in each of the first five games in the championship round. Hart and Hill have also battled injuries. As far as the skaters, it will be difficult to replace Dorofeyev's scoring, which included 20 goals on the power play.
Forward Braeden Bowman will have plenty of eyes on him after he signed a six-year extension with an annual value of $3.4 million before he has played even a full season in Vegas. Bowman has shown promise, most notably filling for the injured Stone early last season and scoring goals in three consecutive games. The 23-year-old finished with eight goals and 18 assists in 54 games, spending the balance of the season in Henderson.
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