5 Critical Concerns Regarding the Golden Knights for their Upcoming 2025 Season

Within two weeks, the Las Vegas Golden Knights will begin training camp for the 2024-2025 season. Although General Manager Kelly McCrimmon had an uneventful off-season in terms of signing big name players to his roster, some significant roster adjustments did occur within his roster. On July 1st, six regulars left the Knights. Forwards Jonathan Marchessault, Chandler Stephenson Anthony Mantha Michael Amadio William Carrier all took their talents elsewhere as did defenseman Alec Martinez who signed with Chicago Blackhawks. The Knights also made headlines for trading away goaltender Logan Thompson to Washington Capitals during draft day trade. To fill some of their absence, however, the Knights signed depth forwards Tanner Laczynski and Zach Aston-Reese and former Washington Capital and Toronto Maple Leaf goalie Ilya Samsonov who will serve as back-up goaltender behind Adin Hill. Knights this off-season that may provide top-six potential were former Buffalo Sabre Victor Oloffsson whom the Knights signed as a Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA). The Knights also acquired former 7th overall pick Alexander Holtz of the New Jersey Devils as well as goaltender Akira Schmid for Paul Cotter in exchange. Relating: Knights Will Need Big Contributions From Victor Olofsson And Alexander Holtz To Replace Lost ProductionThis roster may have changed little from last season but is expected to challenge for Pacific division glory this season. 1. Who Will Replace Jonathan Marchessaults Goal Scoring Production? Jonathan Marchessault was unquestionably the Knights biggest loss this off-season, so they must find someone capable of filling his goal scoring duties and producing goals on an equal or more frequent basis. Marchessault amassed 42 goals last season for the Knights – his career high mark being set during this three year span! Now with Marchessault off playing in Nashville, their goal production must come from elsewhere within their lineup to compensate. The Knights will turn to either Jack Eichel or William Karlsson to carry this burden and restore him to his prolific form from 2017-18, when he scored 43 goals during their inaugural campaign.2 Mark Stone of the Knights must remain healthy to remain an effective two-way player; unfortunately, however, during his time on IR or LTIR. Unfortunately for Vegas, however, Stone has failed to avoid injures during this season and should have had less IR/LTIR time due to being one of its captains. Stone only missed one game during 2020-2021’s 56-game covid-shortened season when only 56 games were held; otherwise he hasn’t seen at least 70 games since 2016-2017 when with Ottawa Senators; this past season alone saw Stone score nearly one point per game with 53 total scoring totals in 56 contests! Stone must remain healthy to play for an entire season. 3. Can Ilya Samsonov Find His Form Again?We discussed several weeks ago whether the Knights would see any version of Ilya Samsonov different than last season when things didn’t go quite smoothly for him in terms of form – 2017/18 wasn’t kind! Former Washington Capitals first-round draft selection Corey Crawford was placed on waivers by Toronto Maple Leafs before the new year to help find his game after struggling severely during 2016. Samsonov would eventually return, playing out the rest of the season alongside Joseph Woll (26 years old) – with Samsonov ultimately posting some of the worst statistics of his entire NHL career. Samsonov amassed an overall win-loss record of 23-7-8 and maintained an astounding save percentage of.8890 as well as goals against average of 3.13 during his time behind the goaltender’s cage. The Knights hope the version of Ilya Samsonov they select as backup to Adin Hill is similar to his performance with Washington in 19-20, when he posted a career best.913 save percentage. Related Topic: Will Golden Knights Acquire Ilya Samsonov For 2024-2025 Season? 4. Will Alexander Holtz Prove Himself on NHL Level? The New Jersey Devils had high hopes when selecting Alexander Holtz with the 7th overall selection in the 2020 NHL draft for him becoming one of their premier goal scorers on their top line alongside superstar center Jack Hughes for years. Unfortunately for the Devils, Holtz never developed in line with their expectations, leading them to make the trade last June. Holtz scored 16 goals during his inaugural full 82 game season for New Jersey Devils last season in just his second full NHL campaign; however, not enough was seen from him to warrant getting more ice time than veteran Timo Meier or younger forwards Dawson Mercer and Jesper Bratt. The Knights hope Alexander Holtz can flourish into an effective goal scorer when given more responsibility in Vegas, to pair with either Jack Eichel, William Karlsson or Tomas Hertl. Related Article: Golden Knights Hope Alexander Holtz Will Have Breakout Season With New Start 5. Can Rookie Brendan Brisson Make an Impression at NHL Level?The former Michigan Wolverine star made his NHL debut last season for the Golden Knights after impressive production with Henderson Silver Knights of AHL last season. Brisson amassed 38 points for Henderson last season and earned 15 games with the Golden Knights as an NHL prospect. Brisson is widely considered to be among the Knights best offensive prospects that may soon reach NHL maturity. Brissons’ Michigan Wolverine sophomore season saw him lead them in goals while finishing just 1 point behind Matty Beniers who went on to become one of the leagues top rookies during 22-23 with Seattle Kraken (winning Calder Trophy as league top rookie in 22-23 season ).Related: Knights’ Brendan Brisson Primed for Increased Role This Season