Looking ahead for the Golden Knights: Big piece needed on D

As each NHL team is eliminated from playoff contention -- either mathematically or by losing in the postseason -- we'll take a look at why its quest for the Stanley Cup fell short in 2018-19, along with three keys to its offseason, impact prospects for 2019-20 and a way-too-early prediction for what next season will hold.

What went wrong

For all the incredible milestones the Vegas Golden Knights reached in their inaugural season, there's one they missed out on: playing in, and winning, a Game 7. They've played in one now, having gone the limit with the San Jose Sharks. They still haven't won one.

But if the question is "what went wrong," then the answer is "it went seven games." The Knights had a chance to knock out the Sharks in Game 5 after turning goalie Martin Jones into a slice of Swiss cheese in three straight wins. They lost. They had a chance to eliminate the Sharks in Game 6 in front of a raucous crowd in Vegas. They poured 58 shots on Jones in that game, and lost on a double-overtime shorthanded goal. Then in Game 7, they were up 3-0 early in the third period, only to wind up on the losing end in overtime. The Knights had the Sharks on the mat and allowed them to get a boot on the bottom rope to break the pin.

To the Knights' credit, they played through adversity this season, from losing top defenseman Nate Schmidt for a quarter of the season to suspension to injuries impacting much of the roster. Their 93-point season defied some predictions of a sophomore slump. But after bringing in high-profile veterans like Max Pacioretty, Paul Stastny and Mark Stone -- and inking them to multiyear deals -- a one-and-done postseason probably isn't going to sit well with owner Bill Foley.

Keys to the offseason

Re-sign William Karlsson. The Knights and Karlsson ended up with a one-year bridge contract worth $5.25 million after his stunning 43-goal campaign in the franchise's inaugural season. The waiting game paid off, as his numbers dropped down to more realistic standards (24 goals, 32 assists in 82 games). One constant, however: his Selke Trophy-level defensive prowess, as the 10th-best forward in takeaways during the regular season. He's a restricted free agent eligible for arbitration. This should get interesting.

Add a big piece on defense. Most Stanley Cup champions have had that foundational defenseman to tie the blue line together, from Duncan Keith to Drew Doughty to most recently John Carlson. The Golden Knights have a collection of solid defensemen but haven't had one with more than 41 points in the regular season or one who has skated more than 23 minutes per game on average in their two seasons of existence.

That's one reason GM George McPhee went hunting for Erik Karlsson last season. One wonders if the Knights see this as a missing piece, and whether there could be a player they could target.

Address the bottom six. Based on contractual obligations alone, the Knights look set in their top two lines until 2021. But some tweaks to the bottom six could be beneficial. Alex Tuch is maddeningly inconsistent but a good anchor around whom to build a third line. The Knights have some truly beloved grunts, too. But there's always room for improvement, especially in the speed category. Nikita Gusev, their 26-year-old KHL import, is a wild card.

Impact prospects for 2019-20

Nikita Gusev, RW/LW, age 26: Gusev's expiration date as a prospect has basically passed, but it appears he is finally ready to make his NHL impact after years of dominating in the KHL. He is an elite-level playmaker. Once he adjusts to the pace, he should be able to produce in the NHL. He had the most productive season of his career in 2018-19, registering 82 points in 62 games. He also was over a point per game in the playoffs. The Golden Knights are looking really good for next season already with the amount of returnees. Having a player of Gusev's caliber to join the roster is just icing on the cake at this point.

Cody Glass, C, age 20: This season was plagued by injuries a bit, but when healthy, Glass was exceptional. He is a high-end playmaking center who can really drive the pace. The issue at this point is that the Golden Knights don't have a ton of room on the roster. Glass is going to have to battle for a roster spot. It helps that he comes cheap, still on his entry-level contract. If Vegas needs to squeeze some mileage out of the lineup, Glass could be a good option to turn to. He's the club's best prospect, though, so they shouldn't worry about rushing him either.

Realistic expectation for 2019-20

To challenge for the Stanley Cup, as long as Marc-Andre Fleury remains a viable championship-level goalie and Vegas continues to maximize its leverage as a place players want to live and a franchise with which they want to play.