(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)
Going into this season, the Golden Knights are expected to be one of, if not the most, lethal offenses in the NHL. With the addition of Mitch Marner, an already explosive offense went from dangerous to nuclear in one transaction. However, Vegas is arguably a little softer in the backend of their lineup. Without workhorse defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, the Golden Knights’ blue line will need to step up and each elevate their play. This could put more pressure on VGK goaltender Adin Hill than in previous seasons.
Adin Hill’s Support Per Season
- 2024-25: 3.34 Goals Scored (5th), 2.61 Goals Allowed (3rd)
- 2023-24: 3.21 Goals Scored (14th), 2.96 Goals Allowed (12th)
- 2022-23: 3.26 Goals Scored (14th), 2.74 Goals Allowed (11th)
Last season, the Golden Knights allowed the third-fewest goals per game and finished with the best record in the Pacific Division. Unfortunately, Vegas coughed up 3.18 goals per playoff game and were eliminated five games into the second round. Now, the 31st franchise will look to maintain last regular season’s averages with a newer look defense. Vegas’ goalie will likely have to perform to his highest abilities to make up for the lack of defensive security without a player like Pietrangelo.
Can a Stanley Cup champion be underrated? In the case of Hill, sure. The goalie who helped lead the Golden Knights to the 2023 Stanley Cup seems to get lost in the shuffle when the talk is about how good Vegas is each season. Last season he was 32-13-5 with a 2.47 goals-against average and .906 save percentage in 50 games; the 32 wins was fifth best in the NHL. Some will say he’s a product of Vegas’ defensive scheme, but I say he doesn’t get enough credit for how cool and calm he is in goal. –Bill Price on NHL.com
Indeed, being cool and calm is one of Hill’s most notable attributes. Outside of slugging some Panthers in 2023, there’s not much that rattles the big fella in net. He has found success since relocating to Las Vegas. However, based on name recognition, projections, and rankings Hill finds himself outside of the Top 10, and in some places out of the Top 30.
Of course, video game ratings can be taken with a grain of salt, but regardless, EA left Hill off of their Top 30 goalie list. It’s better not to uncover if he landed 31st or 32nd. NHL.com released their Top 10 goaltender list on Thursday, and Hill was absent on that list as well. Altogether, Vegas was left off completely on the NHL’s list of best goalie tandems.
(Courtesy: EA Sports)
Is goaltending a major concern for Vegas heading into training camp? It shouldn’t be, but with the revamped defense, Hill might need to have his best season yet. He’s a veteran presence and has played with most of the defensive unit for three seasons and 30 postseason games. Hill should receive plenty of scoring support from his offensive teammates, but will need to reciprocate by stopping the puck at the rate he did last season. I mean, last regular season.
Emmanuel
Look at his career games started stats.
Its questionable if hes even a STARTING goalie.
NAM
I don’t even think Hill is the best goalie on this team and we don’t even have an NHL level #2 yet.
According to this article we have a revamped defense that is even better, even though we lost, Petra, the best d man on the team and the only guy that looked like he was even trying in the playoffs last year. WTF kind of shit insight is this? Of course Hill is going to be great this year with the massive ungrade from Petra to Lauzon. I mean fuckin duh!
Emmanuel
Best D in franchise history & its not remotely close.
JB
The the last two seasons Petro was not the best Dman on the team! We will be better without him in the lineup. Age and injury made him a shell of what he was when we got him. I’ll admit I was never a fan of his baby Huey style of play.
Emmanuel
He was better than in 23/24.
He had a 50.8 Corsi against mostly top lines only slightly less than his career 51.9
Hardly a shell of his former self……..
ThG
JB does know shit about hockey he is just here to bash trump, what a maroon
ThG
not
Larry
I agree with you JB , and have stated so here before that we will be better defensively with Korczak in the lineup. Statistics can be presented about metrics and all, but the ultimate ‘statistic’ is the eye test, and on that #7 simply was not the same player over the last 2 years, I’m no psychologist but I think what his daughter went through changed him and affected his performance on the ice.
hdbiker7851
Not sure why you would even question why HILL is not a top ten goalie or even in the top thirty. He is probably the most inconsistent goalie in the league. He is ok when the defense and forwards are giving their all there a chance he will made the big saves – however, hoping he will come out and made the big saves when they are not is wishful thinking. They kept the wrong guy just like they did when they kept the other walrus.
Emmanuel
Tied for 16th with a .906 SP ( only 4 backups ahead of him the rest starters )
&
6th in Goals against.
I would say he is an above average starting G (9-16 best in league) who
looks better than he is with a great checking team ahead of him.
Hes only started more than 35 games once (last season)…………
……..and hes 29!
ThG
It is hard for local fan base to judge hill because they do not see how terrible the rest of nhl teams goalies are
ThG
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knights fan in minny
Good job boys take out the trash
Larry
I’m sorry but I need to take issue with something in the article, regardless to the actual number of goals scored last year we were NOT an ‘explosive’ offense, and we have certainly not suddenly become a ‘nuclear’ one by any means.
I am hopeful we may have a solid offense if all the pieces fit and we stay healthy, and that they may remember that scoring is an important aspect come playoff time as well.
VGK fan
Stated very well larry.