Golden Knights season preview: New coach aims to replace Dorofeyev's output

The 2026-27 NHL regular season begins Sept. 29. Leading up to the season opener, NHL.com is identifying six things to watch for each team. Today, the Vegas Golden Knights.

Last season: 39-26-17, first in Pacific Division; lost in Stanley Cup Final

Coach: Ryan Craig (first season)

Biggest challenge

Mitigating the loss of their top goal-scorer. Forward Pavel Dorofeyev led Vegas with 72 goals over the past two seasons, including 33 on the power play. But he was a pending restricted free agent due for a significant raise and wouldn’t have fit in the top six in a healthy lineup, so the Golden Knights traded him to the New York Rangers, who signed him to a seven-year, $77 million contract ($11 million average annual value). There are reasons to think Vegas can replace his production: The Golden Knights signed forward Victor Olofsson to a one-year, $1.075 million contract July 2. Center William Karlsson and captain Mark Stone are healthy after missing 68 and 22 games last season, respectively. Forwards Mitch Marner and Brett Howden developed chemistry in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, when Marner led the playoffs with 29 points (10 goals, 19 assists) and Howden led it with 14 goals. Center Jack Eichel will be put in a position to shoot more on the power play. Craig plans to involve the defense more in the offense.

How they make playoffs

Stay healthy and energized. Vegas has failed to qualify for the playoffs only once in nine seasons since entering the NHL in 2017-18. That was in 2021-22, when it was plagued by injuries. The Golden Knights were in danger of slipping out of the playoffs last season, when they lost their spirit and energy, according to general manager Kelly McCrimmon. After replacing coach Bruce Cassidy with John Tortorella with eight games to go in the regular season, they got out of their funk, rediscovered their swagger and came within two wins of a championship. If they stay healthy and respond to Craig in his first season as an NHL head coach, they should make the playoffs. In Vegas, it’s about building your game for what matters most. The goal remains the Stanley Cup.

Most intriguing addition

Olofsson scored 13 goals last season -- 11 in 60 games for the Colorado Avalanche and two in 18 games for the Calgary Flames. But he had 15 goals in 56 games for the Golden Knights in 2024-25, and he set an NHL career high with 28 goals in 75 games for the Buffalo Sabres in 2022-23. The 31-year-old likely will play a third-line role. If he can score in the 20-goal range, that will help offset the loss of Dorofeyev.

Biggest potential surprise

Adin Hill, who started 14 games when Vegas won the Cup in 2023, didn’t play a minute in the playoffs last season. He had struggled in the regular season, going 10-9-6 with a 3.04 goals-against average, an .871 save percentage and one shutout. Carter Hart, who had played under Tortorella with the Philadelphia Flyers from 2022-24, seized the net after the coaching change and never gave it back. But McCrimmon has said Hill is a good goalie who had a bad season, and Craig has said each will play early this season. Especially with the schedule growing from 82 games to 84, Hill should have an opportunity to bounce back and surprise some people.

Ready to contribute

The Golden Knights showed what they think of forward Braeden Bowman when they signed him to a six-year, $20.4 million contract Sept. 10. The contract has a $3.4 million average annual value and starts next season. Bowman, who was an undrafted free agent, is entering the final season of a two-year, entry-level contract. The 23-year-old had 26 points (eight goals, 18 assists) in 54 games for Vegas and 26 points (12 goals, 14 assists) in 20 games for Henderson of the American Hockey League last season.

Fantasy sleeper with EDGE stats

Ivan Barbashev, F: He quietly set an NHL career high in points (61) last season and could take on an even bigger offensive role this season with Dorofeyev since traded to the Rangers. Barbashev is likely to play in the top six with exposure to a high-upside center in Eichel, Karlsson or Tomas Hertl and could also see more power-play time with Dorofeyev’s departure from last season’s five-forward first power-play unit; Vegas could also move defenseman Shea Theodore back onto the first unit. Per NHL EDGE stats, Barbashev ranked highly among forwards in high-danger goals (16; 92nd percentile) and high-danger shots on goal (64; 88th percentile) last season. He also brings strong category coverage in fantasy leagues counting hits (137 last season) and plus/minus (plus-20) and is a perennial bargain based on average draft position (146.6). -- Pete Jensen

Projected lineup

Ivan Barbashev -- Jack Eichel -- Mark Stone

Brett Howden -- William Karlsson -- Mitch Marner

Victor Olofsson -- Tomas Hertl -- Braeden Bowman

Alexander Holtz -- Nic Dowd -- Marc Gatcomb

Brayden McNabb -- Shea Theodore

Noah Hanifin -- Rasmus Andersson

Parker Wotherspoon -- Jeremy Lauzon

Carter Hart

Adin Hill