Puck Drop Preview: 2025-26 Vegas Golden Knights

Last Word On Hockey’s Puck Drop Previews are here for the 2025-26 season! We here at Last Word have been and will continue to give our analysis and previews from around the NHL. We will be previewing each team’s current outlook and stories to watch for the upcoming season. Lastly, we will also do our best to project how things will go for each team throughout the campaign. Today, we’re previewing the 2025-26 Vegas Golden Knights.

2025-26 Vegas Golden Knights

2024-25 Season

The Golden Knights found success once again in the 2024-25 season. The team won the Pacific Division and finished second in the Western Conference. The Knights posted an impressive home record, going 29-9-3 in front of their home fans. After advancing to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Golden Knights’ strong season ended at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers, who eliminated the Knights in five games.

Pavel Dorofeyev led the club with 35 goals. Jack Eichel led the team in assists (66) and points (94). Between the pipes, Adin Hill led with 33 wins.

2025 Off-Season

The Golden Knights had a busy summer. Old faces returned, such as Reilly Smith (an original Knight) and Brandon Saad (mid-season acquisition), who signed one-year extensions. New faces joined Vegas as well. Dylan Coghlan, Jaycob Megna, Cole Reinhardt, and Jeremy Davies joined the team on short-term contracts.

However, the biggest acquisition of the summer by the Golden Knights saw them add the biggest name in free agency. Mitch Marner joined Vegas in a sign-and-trade deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Golden Knights have never been afraid of bringing in big names, and they do so once again by bringing in Marner.

However, not all Vegas-centric news was good news. Defenceman Alex Pietrangelo will miss the entire season following hip surgery. There is a possibility that the two-time Stanley Cup Champion has played in his last NHL game.

Lineup Projections

Forwards

Pavel Dorofeyev – Jack Eichel – Mitch Marner

Ivan Barbashev – Tomas Hertl – Mark Stone

Brandon Saad – William Karlsson – Reilly Smith

Brett Howden – Colton Sissons – Keegan Kolesar

Top Six

Dorofeyev is coming off his 35-goal breakout season. It was also the first time in his career that he played all 82 games. As Dorofeyev looks to show he is a legitimate scorer in the NHL, he will be joined by Eichel and Marner on the line. Eichel made a push for 100 points last season and may do it this season, given the line he will be on. As for Marner, his two-way forward abilities will be enjoyed by all associated with the Golden Knights. His presence on the top line will not only boost the offence but also help their defence.

Barbashev scored 20+ goals last season for only the second time in his career. Despite rumours he and his contract were being shopped over the summer, Barabsev is back on the Knights and will look to use his size to create opportunities on both ends of the ice. On a team filled with stars, Barabashev could be considered an underrated member of the team. Hertl had a tremendous first full season in Vegas last year and will be looking to crack 30 goals once again. He thrived on the power play last year, scoring 14 goals. Captain Mark Stone will play the wing on the second line. Stone saw an uptick in assists in points the previous year. Like Hertl, he enjoyed success on the power play, recording 20 assists.

Bottom Six

The third line projects as a steady and balanced second-line option for Vegas, combining veteran savvy with proven two-way capability. Karlsson remains the backbone of the line, offering responsible centre play, puck distribution, and the ability to elevate his wingers. Smith already has chemistry with Karlsson and brings consistent scoring touch, strong board play, and defensive reliability. Bringing back Saad and adding him back into the mix gives the unit another proven finisher who thrives in transition and can contribute on the forecheck. While this group may not carry the same high-end flash as Vegas’s top line, its blend of experience, versatility, and two-way dependability makes it an ideal matchup line that can both generate offence and handle challenging defensive assignments.

The fourth line has the look of a classic checking and energy-driven third unit, built more around grit, defensive structure, and momentum-shifting plays than pure scoring. Sissons’ experience as a dependable two-way centre in Nashville makes him the anchor of the line. Howden complements him with responsible middle-six play and a willingness to chip in offensively when chances come. Kolesar, meanwhile, brings size, physicality, and a heavy forechecking presence that wears down the opposition. This line likely will not produce big offensive numbers. Still, its value lies in matchup flexibility and the ability to tilt the ice through energy and physicality, giving Vegas depth and balance across the lineup.

Defence

Shea Theodore – Brayden McNabb

Noah Hanifin – Zach Whitecloud

Jeremy Lauzon – Kaedan Korczak

Top Four

Theodore and McNabb are a great example of a defensive tandem that feeds off each other. Theodore supplies the mobility, puck-moving ability, and offensive instincts, often leading the rush or jumping into the play to drive scoring chances. McNabb, on the other hand, brings a stabilizing, physical presence — blocking shots, clearing the crease, and making safe outlet plays. Their skill sets complement each other well, allowing Theodore the freedom to take risks while McNabb covers defensively. This pair is particularly effective at tilting possession in Vegas’s favor, with McNabb’s steady defending enabling Theodore to be one of the Knights’ primary catalysts in transition. This pair creates many scoring chances.

Hanafin and Whitecloud offer a mix of mobility and defensive responsibility. Hanifin’s smooth skating and puck control balance out Whitecloud’s stay-at-home approach. Furthermore, Hanifin can log heavy minutes against quality opposition and contribute offensively with his breakout passing and occasional shot generation from the point. This will be especially beneficial this year with Pietrangelo out. As for Whitecloud, he thrives in a shutdown role. He is positionally sound, strong on the penalty kill, and not afraid to block shots or play physically along the boards. Together, they make a reliable second pair that can handle both defensive assignments while also generating offensive support.

Bottom Pair

The bottom pair offers a depth option designed to bring energy and physicality from the third unit. Lauzon is a defensive defenceman who leans heavily on shot-blocking, hits, and aggressive play in his own zone. Korczak is still developing into a reliable NHL defenseman with size, reach, and improving defensive awareness. This duo likely will not be leaned on for heavy minutes or offensive contributions. Still, their role is clear: provide sturdy depth, play hard in the defensive zone, and allow the top four to conserve energy for bigger matchups. If they can limit mistakes and keep shifts short, they add another layer of stability to Vegas’s defensive depth chart. With the talent that the first two pairs have, this pairing needs to hold its own.

Goaltending

Adin Hill

Akira Schmid

Despite helping Vegas win the Stanley Cup in 2023, it still took a few seasons for Hill to get into the routine of a full-time goalie with Vegas. He played in 50 games and posted 32 wins. In fact, his season was so strong that some believed he should have gotten some playing time for Team Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off. Hill will look to lead the Golden Knights once again.

Schmid only played in five games for Vegas last season. However, he does have NHL experience as a backup. Schmid should be able to hold the fort down when Hill needs a night off.

Players to Watch

Mitch Marner

Marner joins a Vegas team with Stanley Cup aspirations. Between his scoring and defensive abilities, Marner is precisely what the Golden Knights need to continue to move the needle. Marner broke 100 points last season for the first time in his career and seems likely to do it again in year one in Vegas. Furthermore, with Marner playing a key role on a Vegas team contending for a top seed in the Western Conference, this could be the year Marner finally gets his hands on the Selke Trophy.

Shea Theodore

Theodore is coming off one of his best seasons. He even earned votes for the Norris Trophy. The Golden Knights will be looking for Theodore to continue his success, especially with Alex Pietrangelo not in the equation this season. With 19 power-play points last season, Theodore will look to continue to create chances with the man advantage. With playmakers all over the ice, Theodore is a great asset who can help set up the team in the offensive zone.

Predictions for 2025-26 Golden Knights

Since joining the league, the Golden Knights have only missed the playoffs once and nearly always been a Stanley Cup contender. 2025-26 will be no exception. We expect Marner to be a massive asset to the Vegas lineup. Hill should lead the way once again in goal, likely making a case for himself for the Canada’s Olympic team.

If there is a concern for the Knights, it is if players can step up on defence in Pietrangelo’s absence. Thankfully, players like Theodore and Hanafin can help fill the void. If needed, we are sure general manager Kelly Crimmon will make a move at the trade deadline.

We expect the Golden Knights to finish atop the Pacific Division. Once the playoffs begin, it will be Stanley Cup or bust for this organization.