What Should the Vegas Golden Knights Improve in the Offseason?

After failing to secure a return to the Stanley Cup Final in the playoffs, it seems that the focus for the Vegas Golden Knights now rests on their chances of actually making a big push in the offseason – making some changes in the roster, tweaking their squad, and putting up some good signings to ensure that they can find ways to win in the next season with a long wait ahead.

How the Golden Knights Disappointed in the Playoffs

The Golden Knights were left with disappointment in their first-round exit against the Stars image

We have seen a very disappointing ending for the Vegas Golden Knights after their tough campaign in the 2023-24 season – where they got eliminated by the Dallas Stars in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and it cannot be denied that there are a lot of hiccups as to how they broke down and missed their chances after what seemed to be a promising run to begin with. Now the focus moves on to how they can improve after a string of highly competitive campaigns in the past few years.

The loss to the Stars was a huge blow to their playoff run image

Losing to the Dallas Stars was a massive loss. They never saw it coming. Heading into the Playoffs, the Golden Knights were heavy favorites to be the first team to repeat as the Stanley Cup Final winner in the game since the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2020 and 2021 editions. With the way they lost to the Stars in seven games, fans and critics know well to point out a lot of massive issues that could have given them a chance to compete at the top of the league at this point – which is the same that head coach Bruce Cassidy pointed out as well.

“I think every year once you make the playoffs, you start even. I think, in general, I’ve always looked back at when you lose, as a missed opportunity,” said the Golden Knights head coach. “I’d say there’s mixed emotions at the end. I just think our whole team was mentally fried by the end a little bit. I think that’s what happens with teams that repeat and go through a season of injuries like we did, you go through some of the same things and hurdles that we had to jump over.”

Tough plays and endings led to the loss to the Stars image

Now with the offseason all theirs to make the most of, the Golden Knights are now keen to try and find ways to deliver promising wins by upgrading their respective rosters and showing how well they can respond after such a disappointing loss now more than ever.

What Should the Golden Knights Improve On?

Considering that the next season will be a campaign full of bigger expectations for the Golden Knights, this offseason should see them find ways to improve and address the big issues that played a huge role in their loss in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. So what should the Golden Knights work on in the offseason?

Add More Depth in the Forward Position

Unless massive changes are made in the attacking lane, Chandler Stephenson or Jonathan Marchessault is definitely not returning to the squad. With injuries plaguing the squad that has seriously hampered their chances from the likes of Mark Stone and William Karlsson, it seems that there will be a lot of need for depth to improve, especially if the team is going to be good in the long run.

Jack Eichel and Chandler Stephenson need boost on the forward spot image

A starting forward or even two should be a priority in the squad. The free agency will likely be a point of emphasis for the Golden Knights at this point. Jack Eichel is a prolific scorer and playmaker in his own right, but he needs a lot of passing options in the game, and that’s why it is important for the Golden Knights to improve in that department, especially if they are going to win big in the next season.

Re-signing Jonathan Marchessault is a Priority

It is obvious that Jonathan Marchessault’s re-signing is going to be the biggest priority for the Golden Knights’ offseason. The winger has enjoyed his best year since winning the Conn Smythe trophy in the previous Stanley Cup Final. Scoring 42 goals this season is a massive feat for Marchessault, all the more reason for the team to re-sign him as fast as they could. He is the best in power play for the team with eight goals and nine assists in that department. So why not bring him back?

Jonathan Marchessault is a crucial piece for the Golden Knights image

The team definitely needs a good sniper if they are going to win big in the season, and that adds more pressure into re-signing Marchessault considering the fact that he is one of the best scorers in the game. We all know how well of a deadeye scorer Marchessault has been in his stay with Vegas, and it cannot be denied that that we will be seeing more of his massive exploits if he returns to the big stage for the Golden Knights.

Giving More Exposure for Pavel Dorofeyev

It cannot be denied that the Vegas show clearly belongs to Marchessault, Stephenson, and Stone, but it also has to be taken into consideration that the Russian winger Pavel Dorofeyev deserves more minutes on the ice. He is still young, but definitely delivering some promising strides in the game, which makes him a good option to consider with the Vegas core already getting older, and the prospect is going to be an imperative option who can step up and help the Golden Knights thrive in their games.

Dorofeyev deserves a big break with Vegas image

Following a season played with 47 games on 13 goals and 11 assists, it is easy to say that he can be a massive boost if given more minutes and opportunities in the game, which will help the Golden Knights boost its offensive core given how well they need more lead stars to take the ice and improve their squad. Who knows, maybe Dorofeyev can be the biggest addition that they can use to deliver a promising performance to lift them next season.

Can the Golden Knights Make a Return to the Stanley Cup Final?

The Golden Knights have a lot of issues to address and work on in this offseason. This will be the biggest one yet for the team since joining the fray and making their presence felt as lead contenders in the game, and this is why it is easy to expect them to make the most of their deals in the market in the coming months.

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