(Photo Credit: @_jkarsh on Instagram)
Run it back.
That’s what the Golden Knights are going to try to do next season. Not only in how the season finished but with pretty much all of the players that got it done.
Of the 27 names of players that were freshly engraved on the Stanley Cup, just five are not expected to be with the team next season. Vegas traded Reilly Smith to make room for the contracts of Adin Hill and Ivan Barbashev, Teddy Blueger, Laurent Brossoit, and Jonathan Quick signed contracts elsewhere, and Phil Kessel remains a free agent but is not expected to return to Vegas (though I wouldn’t rule it completely out).
That’s 22 of the same players, all of whom will be one year older, competing to try and turn one Cup into two and make Vegas into hockey’s most recent dynasty.
Age is an important issue for every team, but it’s especially crucial for the reigning champion. The younger the team is, the longer the window to continue winning can and should be. For Vegas, despite returning just about everyone, the age range of the team looks good for 2023-24.
It’s not an old team, it’s not a young team, so we’re in a pretty good spot. We have all our (draft) picks next year. I’d like to think we’re in pretty good shape. –George McPhee to NHL.com
On Opening Night 2022, the Golden Knights iced a 23-man roster with an average age of 27.8, the 12th oldest team in the league. By the time the playoffs rolled around, Vegas had gotten a touch older, moving to 11th, with an average age of 28.1.
To start 2023-24, they’ll be back in nearly the same place, shedding a few older guys while seeing an extra candle on every existing player’s birthday cake too.
There’s still a serious issue looking forward as the majority of the Golden Knights’ production comes from players over the age of 30, but the age dispersion of the 23 players expected to suit up when the banner is raised is well balanced.
23 or younger – Cotter, Dorofeyev, Pachal
24-26 – Eichel, Roy, Howden, Kolesar, Whitecloud, Hague, Thompson
27-29 – Barbashev, Stephenson, Carrier, Amadio, Theodore, Hill
30-32 – Stone, Karlsson, Marchessault, McNabb, Hutton, (Lehner)
33 or older – Pietrangelo, Martinez
There’s no question about it, the Golden Knights are indeed “in pretty good shape” with the roster they’ll open the season with.
Win another one, and not a soul in the world will care about what happens beyond that.
**Stick tap to NovaCapsFan.com for compiling the average ages of all teams for the last few seasons.**
Frank
They have an excellent core group that should be in contention for the next few years. Plus the FO is not shy about making the team even more competitive via trades and free agency. Don’t know if we will repeat, but we have an excellent shot and will defintely be in the hunt for the cup!
THE hockey GOD
as long as team is motivated , avoids injury bug, and avoids the stanley cup hangover; we “should” be good.
But you never know, the mental challenge of playing nearly two seasons – long inito playoff schedule can poise an issue for players who haven’t done it before. I expect some lapses. These players are not machines after all.
Jailbird
Have followed and loved this team for six years now. This current roster is well balanced and playing coach Cassidy’s style makes them compete with anyone. I expect some of the older guys will get a little “IR” rest during the year and be ready for playoff time. Seems to be the trend now. I fully expect that Hilly and LT will share the net 50/50 in the first have of season, at least, if healthy. Training camp only about six weeks away. Oh baby!
larry
Kessel remains a free agent but is not expected to return to Vegas (though I wouldn’t rule it completely out)……why would any reasonable soul NOT completely rule it out???….he is and very well remain a free agent…and ig it wasnt recognized….as soon as he FINALLY went to the bench….the Golden Knights became a four line team and…uh….Stanley Cup champions!!!
Jailbird
I imagine some team will give Phil a chance to continue his streak?