The Vegas Golden Knights completed the most challenging gauntlet in sports in 22-23 by capturing the Stanley Cup. George McPhee and his team deserved to enjoy their championship summer before facing the cost of their conquest. Vegas will now pay the price, in terms of roster talent going into 23-24. On the positive side, the Golden Knights still have a high-end roster in the Western Conference, especially on the blue line. On the negative side, they lost a couple of valuable middle-six depth pieces who made an impact in their Stanley Cup run.

Vegas did not make any notable veteran acquisitions in the offseason as a result of their all-in commitment the last several seasons to obtain the Stanley Cup leading to being pressed up against the salary cap. They allowed Phil Kessel and Laurent Brossoit to leave in free agency. Brossoit has been an average backup goalie over the past five seasons with less starts than one would expect due to a hybrid of Vegas’ crowded goalie room, and playing behind Connor Hellebuyck in Winnipeg. Kessel was an average middle-six offensive producer for the Vegas Golden Knights last season, and posted his usual below-average defense. The team will look to replace his 36 pts in 82 games internally with players like Paul Cotter and Michael Amadio. The hardest thing to replace in regards to Kessel specifically is his availability. As the NHL’s iron man, he has played in over 1000 consecutive games, and knowing that Bruce Cassidy will not have at least one player available every night is a loss for Vegas in today’s NHL. Vegas’ primary cap casualty came in the form of trading franchise icon, and original misfit, Reilly Smith to the Penguins for a 3rd round selection in 2024. Smith provided 56 pts in 82 games last season, maintaining his status as a fringe star in the NHL while also providing average defensive value. Vegas will be challenged to replace Smith’s productivity internally, and if the team faces injury woes, they will greatly miss the depth they had in 22-23. 

McPhee had four draft selections in 2023, and shockingly among them was Vegas’ 1st round pick. The 1st rounder was spent on Frolunda forward David Edstrom. Edstrom posted 4 pts in 11 games in the SHL last season, and is a player with a lot of tools in his game. Based on the tape I have seen on Edstrom, he figures to be a viable 3rd line forward of the future for Vegas. They had two selections in the 3rd round: Mathieu Cataford and Arttu Karki. Cataford posted 75 pts in 68 games for the Halifax Mooseheads in the QMJHL. Cataford has great offensive tools and defensive skill, but looking at hockeyprospecting’s model, a player with his trajectory is uncommon to find footing in the NHL. Karki, the only defenseman that they selected, posted 39 pts in 36 games in the Finnish Junior League for Tappara. At 6’2” and 176lbs, Karki could see his game benefit as he fills into his frame, and is exposed to pro-level competition. Vegas’ last selection, Tuomas Uronen, is a gamble that could yield exceptional results. Uronen posted 43 pts in 39 games in the Finnish Junior League for HIFK last season, and will suit up for the Ottawa 67’s of the OHL next season. 

In conclusion, the Vegas Golden Knights had a tough off-season as a result of the stagnant salary cap. I would give Vegas a C for their off-season. McPhee retained as much of the cup winning roster as he could against the salary cap while maintaining the goaltending depth afforded with Adin Hill and Logan Thompson. Vegas’ draft may not yield a future star, as is uncommon in drafts following a Stanley Cup run, but it is beginning to look grim as Vegas’ prospect pool is barren, and the trade value of their roster pieces continue to age and decline. Vegas might have another Cup run in them this year, but the further one looks into the future, the bleaker the picture becomes. 

-Christian