Golden Knights Season Preview: Relies on strong defense, Hertl's scoring prowess

Squad overview

Make the cut

Tanner Pearson is attending training camp as part of a professional tryout contract. He appeared in 644 regular-season NHL games and won the Stanley Cup with the Los Angeles Kings in 2014. Last season he played 54 games with the Montreal Canadiens and scored 13 points (five goals, eight assists). Injuries have sidelined Pearson the past two seasons and limited him to 68 games, but he told reporters at the start of training camp that that is all behind him. He's vying for a likely spot on Las Vegas' fourth line as a replacement for William Carrier, who signed with the Carolina Hurricanes. Brendan Brisson, Jonas Rondbjerg and Zach Aston-Reese are also competing for roster spots, although these are limited.

The most fascinating addition

Holtz was traded by the New Jersey Devils before he had a chance to fulfill his potential as the No. 7 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft. Vegas acquired 22-year-old forward and goaltender Akira Schmid, the likely No. 3 pick, on June 29 for forward Paul Cotter and a third-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. Holtz scored 16 goals and had 28 points in 82 games with New Jersey in the last season. He's likely eligible for a third-line role with the Golden Knights, but that means he'll get a chance to play with either Hertl or William Karlsson at center. There is optimism that Holtz's big shot with the quick release will pay off for Vegas.

Biggest potential surprise

Olofsson comes to Vegas on a one-year contract after an offseason with the Buffalo Sabres. Last season he scored 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in 51 games. But Olofsson scored 28 goals in 75 games in the 2022/23 season. More importantly, he is reunited with Eichel. They played together with the Sabers and Eichel was Olofsson's regular center during the 2019–20 season and part of the 2020–21 season. Olofsson scored 20 goals in 54 games in 2019-20, while Eichel scored 36 goals in 68 games. The Golden Knights hope their chemistry returns.

Ready to contribute

In any case, it appears that Brisson has done everything asked of him since turning pro at the end of the 2021-22 season, recording eight points (three goals, five assists) in seven games for the Henderson Silver Knights of the American Hockey League. achieved. Brisson has 83 points (40 goals, 43 assists) in 117 AHL games, including 38 (19 goals, 19 assists) in 52 games last season. He also scored eight points (two goals, six assists) in 15 games with Vegas last season. But Brisson is exempt from waivers, meaning he will have to outplay an NHL veteran to earn a spot on the roster outside of training camp. In fact, his waiver status bodes well for Pearson's chances of making the team. Regardless of whether he's on the inaugural squad or in the AHL, Brisson hopes he gets his chance with the Golden Knights this season, and if he performs well, he could force them to keep him in the NHL.

Fantasy sleeper

Hanifin, D (average draft position: 111.4) – After being acquired from the Calgary Flames before the NHL trade deadline last season, Hanifin scored 17 points (four goals, 13 assists) in 26 games, including eight in the Power play combined the Golden Knights during the regular season and playoffs. Hanifin scored a career-high 13 goals last season and was productive on the first power play unit of the postseason with high-scoring forwards Eichel, Hertl and Mark Stone, giving the defenseman a high fantasy ceiling for an entire season bestowed. – Pete Jensen