The Hockey Writers recently published a list of the top five NHL offenses heading into the 2024-25 season. Unsurprisingly, the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks made the list, ranking first and fifth respectively. However, there were some surprises, such as the New Jersey Devils being ranked fourth, while the Colorado Avalanche did not make the cut. Also absent from the list were the Vegas Golden Knights, despite having stars like Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, and Noah Hanifin.
Given their current lineup, the Golden Knights might struggle to even crack the top ten in offensive rankings. The departure of key players like Jonathan Marchessault and Chandler Stephenson, along with the loss of secondary scorers such as Michael Amadio and William Carrier, has significantly impacted their offense. As a result, their omission from the list is understandable.
To address this offensive shortfall, the Golden Knights could consider several strategies during the regular season. However, their tight salary cap situation—currently at -$3,639,983 in non-LTIR space—poses significant challenges.
One option is to make a major trade to acquire a high-impact player. Rumors have linked the Golden Knights to players like Mitch Marner and Patrik Laine, which would provide a much-needed complementary winger for Jack Eichel, especially after Marchessault’s departure. However, executing such a trade would be complicated by salary cap constraints and the need to part with prospects and draft picks, which could weaken their farm system.
Toronto, also facing cap issues with only $1,275,333 in non-LTIR space, might be open to a trade involving players like Shea Theodore and Brayden McNabb from Vegas. Such a move could also involve adding the LTIR amount of Robin Lehner to make the trade feasible.
In summary, while the Golden Knights have several potential avenues to bolster their offense, executing these moves will require careful management of their salary cap and assets.
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