NHL
Golden Knights No Longer Golden Misfits
The defending Western Conference Champions look to build on last years magical run to the Stanley Cup Final. On paper, the inaugural season for the Knights was not supposed to happen this way. A mediocre team at best, by April, nearly every player had finished with a career best season.
Have the Golden Knights Gotten Better?
That is a difficult question to answer. Some would argue that losing veteran leadership in the form of David Perron and James Neal would be hard to overcome. Others would mention the fact that this team is gaining 53 point scoring pivot, Paul Stastny and former Montreal Canadians captain, Max Pacioretty. Certainly, re-signing goaltender Marc Andre-Fleury to a three-year, $7 million extension helps solidify the blue line. Other than the Stastny signing and Pacioretty trade, the Knights are relying on the roster to take another step forward towards winning a championship. Let’s dive into the additions and subtractions below.
Additions
On the first day of free agency, veteran center Paul Stastny signed a three-year, $6.5 million AAV deal with the Knights, bringing his 53 (16 G, 37 A) points to the second line. Nick Holden (4 G, 13 A), a veteran defenseman also signed on July 1st for two-years and $2.2 million. Two other free agent signees worth noting on July 1st were center Daniel Carr and right winger Brandon Pirri. Both added 16 points and three points, respectively.
The most notable offseason acquisition for the Golden Knights is former “Les Habs” center, Max Pacioretty. Coming off an injury-riddled, disappointing and ineffective 2017-2018 campaign, “Patches” will look to fill the role that James Neal occupied last season. Pacioretty added 17 goals and 20 assists last season for a total of 37 points.
Subtractions
The most notable subtractions from the Golden Knights this offseason comes in two free agent signings. David Perron, who added 66 points last season, returns home to St. Louis. On the first day of free agency, he inked a four-year, $4 million AAV contract. James Neal, who resurrected his career in Vegas last season with 44 points in 71 games, signed a five-year $5.75 million AAV deal with the Calgary Flames. It’s been reported that he turned down a mid-season extension that would have paid him nearly $5 million/year for five years with the Knights. The 31-year old was looking for a six-year deal.
Worth noting is Tomas Tatar (4 G, 2 A), who was picked up last year at the trade deadline, and subsequently traded to the Montreal Canadians in the offseason. Also, Luca Sbisa was not offered a contract this offseason and signed with the New York Islanders. He tallied 2 goals and 12 assists in 30 games.
Where the Vegas Golden Knights Stand
After adding up the total points for additions and subtractions, the net gain is -4. On paper, this team traded David Perron and James Neal for Paul Stastny and Max Pacioretty. Will they repeat as western conference champions this season? Only time and vulcanized rubber will tell. Many people, including myself, think this team is mediocre at best, and will require another magical season to compete in the loaded pacific division, that just gained Erik Karlsson.
After last year’s improbable run, the sky is the limit for the Golden Knights. It is this TSJ101!Sports NHL writer’s perspective that the Vegas Golden Knights will have to dominate at home like they did last year (29-10-2) in order to win back to back Pacific division crowns.
Social Media
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Photo Credit
Photo courtesy of Double G Sports
