2024-25 will go down in the record books as one of the healthiest seasons in Golden Knights history. They made it through the entire season using six defensemen 67 games or more, and only used nine total D-men. Three players reached 82 games and 12 played at least 70.
It manifested itself in a Pacific Division championship and the most continuity the team has had in a long time. In terms of line/pair combinations, the continuity showed up on the back end. Not as much with the forwards, though.
Forward Lines Used
2024-25: 89
2023-24: 75
2022-23: 66
Defense Pairs Used
2024-25: 18
2023-24: 27
2022-23: 19
89 forward line combinations is the most VGK have used since 2021-22 when Pete DeBoer rolled out an astronomical 108 different combos. This year’s number included 40 lines that were used just once and another 26 that were featured fewer than five times.
Tanner Laczynski goes into the books as the “Nomad of the Year,” having played eight games with the Golden Knights on eight different lines. Mark Stone on the other hand participated in 66 games and also played on eight separate forward lines.
| Lines Played On | New Line (1 in X Games) | Most Common | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone | 8 | 8.3 | Barbashev-Eichel-Stone (37) |
| Barbashev | 11 | 6.4 | Barbashev-Eichel-Stone (37) |
| Eichel | 12 | 6.4 | Barbashev-Eichel-Stone (37) |
| Saad | 5 | 5.8 | Saad-Hertl-Dorofeyev (14) |
| Hertl | 13 | 5.6 | Saad-Hertl-Dorofeyev (14) |
| Kolesar | 19 | 4.3 | Pearson-Roy-Kolesar (20) |
| Dorofeyev | 19 | 4.3 | Saad-Hertl-Dorofeyev (14) |
| Pearson | 21 | 3.7 | Pearson-Roy-Kolesar (20) |
| Olofsson | 17 | 3.3 | Olofsson-Hertl-Dorofeyev (12) |
| Roy | 23 | 3.1 | Pearson-Roy-Kolesar (20) |
| Karlsson | 17 | 3.1 | Olofsson-Karlsson-Smith (10) |
| Holtz | 18 | 2.9 | Pearson-Schwindt-Holtz (8) |
| Howden | 29 | 2.8 | Howden-Hertl-Dorofeyev (10) |
| Schwindt | 16 | 2.6 | Pearson-Schwindt-Holtz (8) |
| Brisson | 4 | 2.3 | Brisson-Schwindt-Holtz (4) |
| Smith | 9 | 2.3 | Olofsson-Karlsson-Smith (10) |
| Burke | 3 | 2.3 | Pearson-Schwindt-Burke (4) |
| Rondbjerg | 6 | 2.2 | Rondbjerg-Schwindt-Holtz (6) |
| Lavoie | 5 | 1.8 | Dorofeyev-Hertl-Lavoie (3) |
| Denisenko | 1 | 1.0 | Pearson-Karlsson-Denisenko (1) |
| Morelli | 1 | 1.0 | Morelli-Schwindt-Holtz (1) |
| Korczak | 1 | 1.0 | Pearson-Schwindt-Korczak (1) |
| Hutton | 1 | 1.0 | Hutton-Schwindt-Pearson (1) |
| Laczynski | 8 | 1.0 | 8 Different Lines Once |
William Karlsson’s number jumps off the page more than any other player, having played on a new line once every three games. It can be a bit of a chicken or the egg situation, but there’s a pretty strong argument that his lack of consistent wingers played a part in the worst statistical season of his VGK career. The same can be said for players like Alex Holtz, Cole Schwindt, and even Nic Roy and Reilly Smith.
VGK used a defenseman as a forward on two separate occasions, which also slightly skews the numbers. Both times they tried it, it went poorly, so hopefully they get the hint for 2025-26 to leave guys in their natural position.
| Pairs Played On | New Pair (1 in X Games) | Most Common | |
|---|---|---|---|
| McNabb | 3 | 27.3 | McNabb-Theodore (55) |
| Pietrangelo | 3 | 23.7 | Hanifin-Pietrangelo (44) |
| Theodore | 3 | 22.3 | McNabb-Theodore (55) |
| Hanifin | 4 | 20.0 | Hanifin-Pietrangelo (44) |
| Whitecloud | 5 | 14.8 | Hanifin-Whitecloud (29) |
| Hague | 6 | 11.3 | Hague-Whitecloud (28) |
| Korczak | 6 | 6.5 | McNabb-Korczak (20) |
| Hutton | 3 | 3.3 | Hutton-Korczak (4) |
| Hagg | 2 | 1.0 | 2 Pairs Once |
The continuity on defense was astounding considering VGK’s past. And, the numbers could have been even smaller if it weren’t for some experimentation early in the season. Bruce Cassidy wanted to try Alex Pietrangelo and Shea Theodore together to open the year, and it led to a few extra combos that only got a few games together. Most of the season, and much of the playoffs, the standard group of Pietrangelo/Hanifin, McNabb/Theodore, and Hague/Whitecloud was used.
The link between D-pair continuity and team success is not hard to see. In VGK’s four Pacific Division-winning seasons, they’ve used fewer than 20 different D-Pairs. In the four years they failed to win, they used more than 20 in all but one (the 56 game season).
**To see the entire history of the VGK’s lines, click here.**


The hockey God
yes the defense is the engine on this team, they played mostly injury free; except for Petro.
Meanwhile in the real world of news:
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday that President Donald Trump will make a decision on the U.S. becoming involved in Israel’s conflict with Iran within the next two weeks.
“I have a message directly from the president, and I quote, ‘based on the fact that there’s a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks,'” Leavitt said at a White House briefing quoting Trump.
“He’s been very clear,” she added. “Iran went for 60 days when he gave them that a 60-day warning without coming to the table. On day 61, Israel took action against Iran. And as I just told you from the president directly, he will make a decision within two weeks in.”
TS
Ooh, ANOTHER RANT BY NO- NUTS!! TELL ME IT AIN’T SO, NO- NUTS— ARE Y-O-U THE DAILY RANTER T HAT YOU SPEAK.OF?? YES, BY GOLLY, YOU A-R-E! DO I GET A PRIZE??
VGK fan
Happy Juneteenth!
ThG
what’s that ?
knights fan in minny
blow it out your ass
Emmanuel
The pairing that always puzzled me is Pietro – Hanifin.
Youd figure they would be dominant but theyre a mess together.
Tim
Lots of dead weight om our team Roy big strong guy all shoe and no go.. Barbie 5 million shot in the ass gone. The Russian goalie back to ST. Petersburg or Cucamonga who cares. Nick Hague had this massive shot I haven’t seen it adios macho . Pray Petro doesn’t play next year that would be series cap money. As I’ve said for the last two years offense offense and more offense. I’m so tired of watching nothing burgers game after game .We score 3 goals and they declare a holiday enough of that shit Kelly it’s time to put a little fucking life into the team. You diehards that like low scoring games with fights good luck your just about comatose.
Bob Hobrough
dont watch mr bitter watch boring baseball instead the non athletes
Tim
Boring Baseball check the viewership for the Edmonton Florida series below the Mendoza line if you know what the Mendoza line is.
ThG
I said that a few posts back, aren’t you paying attention ?
knights fan in minny
Mendoza he pitched for the Red Sox Mr Boring Baseball
ThG
important update, those here know what I am talking about, Kash is coming FOR you, you are on the list.
NEXT
https://wltreport.com/2025/06/19/fbi-makes-first-86-47-arrest/
TS
Better lock.yourself in your basement, then!! DO NOT let CRAZY CASH IN!!
Emmanuel
Mason Marchment to Kraken for mid round picks.
30 year old late bloomer with extremely high shott % last two years.
He has regression written all over him but seems solid defensively.
This PROBABLY means theyre keeping Robertson.
Pistol Pete
The only way to acquire Robertson will be in free agency 2026. He is just too expensive trade capital wise. McCrimmon needs to hold onto prospect forwards like Connelly and Cataford in the hope they develop quickly enough to be brought up to provide homegrown depth. Also hold onto draft picks same concept.
And as far as Robertson in 2026, it we are carrying both Eichel and Marner, McCrimmon will have to decide about Dorofeyev. Hard to carry both Dorofeyev and Robertson (Pav will be cheaper; we’ll see how 2025-26 goes). Maybe if Petro is out. I’d have to run the numbers.
Pistol Pete
If Stone is questionable for 2026-27 (last contract year) that could open up space for both Robertson and Dorofeyev. It would make sense to acquire Robertson to replace Stone. A lot of sense.
Pistol Pete
But yeah if they traded Marchment that could indicate they intend to extend Robertson when he becomes eligible July 1.
I get it Emmanuel. Does seem unlikely they will ever let him slip into free agency a player like that.
Pistol Pete
So actually we will just have to see if the Stars can actually afford to extend Robertson beginning July 1.
Google AI Overview:
Based on the information available, the Dallas Stars face a significant challenge in affording to extend Jason Robertson’s contract.
Here’s why:
Cap Crunch: The Stars have limited cap space, projected at just under $5 million for the upcoming season, with only 16 players currently under contract.
Impending Qualifying Offer: Robertson’s qualifying offer for the 2026-27 season is set at $9.3 million, a significant jump from his current $7.75 million cap hit. This makes him a more expensive player to retain.
Other Key Players to Sign: The Stars need to allocate cap space to re-sign or replace several other players whose contracts expire soon, including Jamie Benn and Matt Duchene.
Recent Acquisitions and Extensions: The team’s recent acquisition of Mikko Rantanen, along with the extensions of Jake Oettinger and Wyatt Johnston, have put a strain on their cap situation.
Higher Market Value: Robertson’s projected market value is estimated to be around $10.5 million per year for a seven-year contract, which could further increase the financial burden on the Stars.
Potential Solutions to Make Room:
Trading Players: The Stars may need to trade existing players with significant cap hits, such as Matt Dumba and Mason Marchment, to free up space.
Negotiating a Lower Cap Hit: While unlikely, a friendly extension might involve Robertson accepting a contract with a lower annual cap hit compared to his projected market value.
In Conclusion:
Extending Jason Robertson’s contract will require careful financial planning and possibly some difficult decisions for the Dallas Stars. While it’s not impossible, their current cap situation makes it a challenging task.
The hockey God
watch out PP the ranting local lunatic will accuse you of talking to yourself, but guess what? All your posts and replies have same name, while the loonie boon sees multiple people as being the same person. (hearing voices in their head too, I can only imagine)
Pistol Pete
7/1/25 free agents:
Pretty thin pickins when it comes to still young elite wingers. Discounting Ehlers and Boeser there is but one and we know who it is!
https://www.spotrac.com/nhl/free-agents
Pistol Pete
A pretty contentious question and one some here would respond to with an emphatic “no”.
“Can Marner hit and forecheck effectively”?
Google AI Overview:
Yes, Mitch Marner can hit and forecheck effectively, contrary to some opinions suggesting he’s a “soft” player.
While he’s not known for being a heavily physical player, Marner’s strength on the forecheck is well-documented. He excels at pressuring defenders, forcing turnovers, and using his stick to disrupt plays. He’s even ranked fourth in the NHL in takeaways, demonstrating his ability to anticipate and steal the puck. Sources note that he “gives defenders headaches” in their own zone due to his forechecking pressure.
However, opinions regarding Marner’s physical play are mixed. Some sources suggest that his lack of physicality and struggles in the playoffs, particularly in high-stakes Game 7s, contribute to a perception of him being “soft”. One comment even states that he “won’t forecheck hard, he can’t hit because he’s 160lbs”.
It’s important to note the following:
Forechecking isn’t solely about physical contact. Marner’s forechecking is described as relying on a great stick and understanding of the game rather than being a physical, heavy forechecker.
His playmaking and defensive contributions are significant. Marner is considered a high-end playmaker and has been praised for his defensive game and intelligence on the ice.
He has shown he can adapt and play different roles. Marner has even filled in on defense in certain situations and enjoys playing on the power-play point, which requires dealing with oncoming rushes.
Ultimately, while Marner may not be known for punishing hits, his strong forechecking abilities, impressive takeaway statistics, and overall game intelligence make him an effective and valuable player who contributes in ways that don’t always involve brute force.
Emmanuel
Its “funny” how the media decides a specific player is “strong defensively/200 foot player” overnight and everyone rolls with it.
That being said takeaways ARE a big deal.
Pistol Pete
Marner’s two way game is elite.
JB
Just don’t mortgage the team to get “no show at playoffs” Marner!
Emmanuel
Leafs are forward heavy. Their core four shows up but the blue line and net is iffy to be charitable.
Pistol Pete
How do we know Marner’s underperformance in the playoffs is not particular to playing in Toronto? Matthews and Tavares have had the same issue.
Leonard Wise
I have no problem going after Marner. He’s a great player. I would feel better if Petrangelo is LTIR or they already have deals in place if not. Don’t want them to end up behind the eight ball and have to give up more assets due to desperation.
ThG
90% plus of these rogue judge rulings have been over turned, another.
LOS ANGELES, CA — An appeals court on Thursday allowed President Donald Trump to keep control of National Guard troops he deployed to Los Angeles following protests over immigration raids.
The anonymous decision halts a ruling from a lower court judge who found Trump acted illegally when he activated the soldiers over opposition from California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
The deployment was the first by a president of a state National Guard without the governor’s permission since 1965.
In its decision, the court concluded that “it is likely that the President lawfully exercised his statutory authority” in federalizing control of the guard.
It also found that even if the federal government failed to notify the governor of California before federalizing the National Guard as required by law, Newsom had no power to veto the president’s order.
The court case could have wider implications on the president’s power to deploy soldiers within the United States after Trump directed immigration officials to prioritize deportations from other Democratic-run cities.
Trump, a Republican, argued that the troops were necessary to restore order. Newsom, a Democrat, said the move inflamed tensions, usurped local authority and wasted resources. The protests have since appeared to be winding down.
The ruling comes from a panel of three judges on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, two of whom were appointed by Trump during his first term. During oral arguments Tuesday, all three judges suggested that presidents have wide latitude under the federal law at issue and that courts should be reluctant to step in.
TS
OOH, LOOKY– THE DAILY RANTER IS AT IT AGAIN!! NO- NUTS NEEDS AN INTERVENTION!!
ThG
more winning against the meandering, no policy, loser dems-lowest poll ratings in recent history.
https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/politics-and-government/nevada/nevada-supreme-court-rules-in-lombardos-favor-in-ethics-case-3387143/?fbclid=IwY2xjawLCZuNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFSdml5WmhUdjkwZzRyY3N6AR4huNp_9krJCnwUoReOQ89GSNApx8zyhtFlNQ_ib9jAWnMkc0n2Ts8dXrWe_Q_aem_mZvauLhW7I3Z0JS9MMkVrQ
ThG
Hypocrites exposed, sounds like Democrats re. As documented and recorded by Mathew. Chapter 23, in the TEMPLE during Jewish Holiday, in front of LARGE CROWDS. Jesus will judge you on judgement day.
23 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2 “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4 They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
5 “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries[a] wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6 they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7 they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.
8 “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Seven Woes on the Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees
13 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. [14] [b]
15 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are.
16 “Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gold of the temple is bound by that oath.’ 17 You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? 18 You also say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gift on the altar is bound by that oath.’ 19 You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 Therefore, anyone who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. 21 And anyone who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who dwells in it. 22 And anyone who swears by heaven swears by God’s throne and by the one who sits on it.
23 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24 You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.
25 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.
27 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
29 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. 30 And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ 31 So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Go ahead, then, and complete what your ancestors started!
33 “You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? 34 Therefore I am sending you prophets and sages and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town. 35 And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. 36 Truly I tell you, all this will come on this generation.
37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. 38 Look, your house is left to you desolate. 39 For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
TS
Ooh, ANOTHER RANT BY NO- NUTS!! And, IRONICALLY, IT’S ALL ABOUT HIMSELF!! HYPOCRITES!!TELL ME IT AIN’T SO, NO- NUTS— ARE Y-O-U THE DAILY RANTER T HAT YOU SPEAK.OF?? YES, BY GOLLY, YOU A-R-E! DO I GET A PRIZE??