Golden Knights betting: Despite so many changes, 100 points is worthy goal

By Jonathan Davis, VSiN September 22, 2026 - 2:06 pm With the NHL season set to open in less than a week on Sept. 29, Jonathan Davis has released his squad previews on VSiN.com. Below is his analysis of the Vegas Golden Knights for the 2026‑27 campaign. **Key Additions:** Ryan Craig (head coach), Parker Wotherspoon, Victor Olofsson, Marc Gatcomb **Key Departures:** John Tortorella (head coach), Bruce Cassidy (head coach), Pavel Dorofeyev, Akira Schmid, Cole Smith, Kaedan Korczak, Colton Sissons, Keegan Kolesar, Ben Hutton **Overview** For the third time in nine seasons, the Vegas Golden Knights advanced to the Stanley Cup Final, only to fall in six games to the Carolina Hurricanes. The franchise has accumulated 76 playoff victories and 15 playoff series wins since its inaugural 2017‑18 season—more than any other NHL team over that span. The Knights have never avoided publicity. Their decision to dismiss head coach Bruce Cassidy with just eight games remaining in the regular season and replace him with John Tortorella shocked many observers. Under Tortorella, Vegas posted a 7‑0‑1 record to close the regular season, carrying that momentum into the postseason. The team eliminated the Utah Mammoth and the Anaheim Ducks before sweeping the Presidents’ Trophy‑winning Colorado Avalanche. Ultimately, the Hurricanes prevailed in the Final. Although Tortorella’s stint produced impressive results, the organization opted not to extend his contract, choosing instead to promote Ryan Craig. Craig previously guided the Henderson Silver Knights, the club’s top minor‑league affiliate, for three seasons and had served as an assistant coach with the Golden Knights. **Offense** Vegas finished the previous campaign with 264 goals, ranking 14th league‑wide and just four shy of the top‑10 mark. Departing forward Pavel Dorofeyev, who contributed 37 goals and led the team with 20 power‑play tallies, signed as a free agent with a New York‑based club. To offset that loss, the Knights reacquired Victor Olofsson, who notched 15 goals in 56 games during the 2024‑25 season with Vegas. In the prior year, split between Colorado and Calgary, Olofsson totaled 13 goals. Brett Howden emerged as a postseason scorer, tallying 14 goals in 22 playoff games after managing only 12 during the regular season. Howden had recorded 23 goals in the 2024‑25 campaign. **Defense** Shea Theodore established himself as the team’s primary blueliner last season, taking a significant step forward. Had Vegas captured the Stanley Cup, Theodore would have been a legitimate candidate for playoff MVP. Rasmus Andersson, obtained from Calgary, returns after agreeing to a seven‑year, $59.5 million contract in the summer. At age 35, Brayden McNabb continues to defy expectations; his 142 blocked shots in 63 games led the squad, and he remains effective in a shutdown role while also contributing on the penalty kill. The defensive corps is rounded out by Noah Hanifin, Jeremy Lauzon and newcomer Parker Wotherspoon. **Goaltending** Adin Hill arrived at training camp last season out of shape, a factor that contributed to his worst statistical line: a 3.04 goals‑against average and an .871 save percentage. Hill subsequently surrendered the starting position to Carter Hart, who started five of the final six regular‑season games and appeared in all 22 playoff contests. The organization anticipates a “healthy competition” between Hill and Hart for the No. 1 goaltending role heading into camp. A 50/50 split