Vegas Golden Knights fans have had it pretty good since the team debuted in 2017-18. Season one: Stanley Cup Finals. Season two: An epic rivalry series against the San Jose Sharks. Season three: A trip to the Western Conference finals.
One thing missing there is a Stanley Cup title, and owner Bill Foley is not content running out the same team each season. To that end, after re-signing goaltender Robin Lehner for five more seasons, the team went out and landed an elite all-around defenseman in Alex Pietrangelo -- who just so happens to be the former captain of their new West Division rival, the St. Louis Blues.
Here's everything you need to know about the Golden Knights prior to opening night:
Big question: Is function more important than fun?
The "Golden Misfits" stormed into the league in 2017-18 as a fun-love group of expansion castoffs. Vegas made the playoffs in its first three years of existence, including last summer's loss in the Western Conference finals. But the Misfits are all grown up. Coach Gerard Gallant getting fired and replaced by Pete DeBoer was the first step. Then there was the trade for Robin Lehner to supplant Marc-Andre Fleury as starting goalie, followed by the trades of center Paul Stastny and defenseman Nate Schmidt to open cap space for the signing of free-agent prize Alex Pietrangelo.
The chemistry and vibe have changed. That might not be a bad thing, but it's certainly a different dynamic in the desert.
Did realignment hurt or help?
Hurt. The Golden Knights finished first in the Pacific Division in two of their first three seasons. With Colorado and St. Louis in the West, that's more competition than they would have had if things remained status quo.
Offseason comings and goings, plus the cap situation
Pietrangelo signed a seven-year deal worth $8.8 million annually, with the full no-movement clause he wanted but didn't get from St. Louis. They acquired defenseman Carl Dahlstrom from Winnipeg in exchange for Stastny, but dumped Schmidt's salary to the Canucks for a draft pick.
Bold prediction
Robin Lehner will be a Vezina Trophy finalist. He was a finalist back in 2018-19 with the New York Islanders, and his performance behind the Golden Knights' defense was stellar after coming aboard last season. No doubt he'll split some starts with Fleury, but the coaching staff have made it clear this is Lehner's team. The "Panda" will reap the rewards.
Breakout candidate: Chandler Stephenson
The 26-year-old center earned his chance to play in between Max Pacioretty and Mark Stone because that trio showed ridiculous promise last season, scoring 80.66% of the goals at 5-on-5 in 225 minutes in the regular season. He should eclipse his 0.54 points-per-game average from last season.
Biggest strength: Top-four defense
Pietrangelo is likely to skate with Brayden McNabb. Shea Theodore, coming off a breakout performance in the 2020 postseason, is likely with Alec Martinez. That's a one-two punch that few teams in the league can match. And if Peter DeBoer decides to go "Mega Powers" style and unite Pietrangelo with Theodore? Wow.
Biggest weakness: Centers
William Karlsson is their No. 1, playing with Jonathan Marchessault and Reilly Smith. Stephenson mans the second line, while Cody Glass (who has a ton of potential) and Tomas Nosek likely fill out the lineup. The Golden Knights have a lot going for them. They're a well-constructed contender with considerable depth. But there's no Connor McDavid or Nathan MacKinnon or Ryan O'Reilly here. It's the only design flaw in the machine.
Golden Knights in NHL Rank
No. 16: Alex Pietrangelo, D
No. 23: Mark Stone, RW
No. 42: Shea Theodore, D
No. 53: Robin Lehner, G
No. 73: Max Pacioretty, LW
Prospect perspective
Pipeline ranking: 17
Prospects in the top 100: No. 50 Peyton Krebs (C), No. 70 Brendan Brisson (C/W), No. 79 Lucas Elvenes (LW), No. 84 Jack Dugan (RW)
Fantasy facts to know
The trade rumors surrounding Max Pacioretty should be of little concern to fantasy managers; if anything, the former Canadiens captain might feel additionally inspired with a little extra incentive. Finishing third in the NHL in shots this past season, Pacioretty led his own club in goals, points, and power-play points (although, to be fair, Mark Stone neared him in the latter two categories while playing six fewer games). Mildly underrated in recent seasons, the 32-year-old winger strikes as a steal in middle rounds of most drafts.
Beyond Pacioretty and Stone -- plus Vegas' thoroughly solid top line of Smith, Marchessault, and Karlsson -- I'm fascinated with what young Cody Glass brings to the Knights' lineup. Drafted sixth overall in 2017, Glass collected 12 points -- including seven on the power play -- in 39 games through his rookie season. He's worth a late-round flier for sure.
On defense, Pietrangelo steals some oxygen from Theodore as a burgeoning fantasy asset. Although Theodore still shines as a No. 2 or (if you're lucky) No. 3 defenseman. And before smothering Lehner with an unhealthy dose of fantasy love, remember, Fleury is still an active member of the Golden Knights. Even though Lehner has been outstanding these past two seasons, as long as Fleury is still on the team and playing well, we could be dealing with a goaltending timeshare during this compact season. Which tarnishes Lehner's status as a fantasy netminding asset. -- Victoria Matiash