Sportsnet’s first NHL power rankings of the 2026-27 season did not show much respect for the Vegas Golden Knights.
Ryan Dixon slotted Vegas 11th, even after a year in which the Golden Knights salvaged their season and finished just two wins short of their second Stanley Cup. The placement came in a ranking that put the Colorado Avalanche at No. 1, followed by the Dallas Stars, Washington Capitals, the Stanley Cup champions, the Carolina Hurricanes, and the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Vegas was the second-highest team from the Pacific Division, behind only the Edmonton Oilers at No. 9.
The Pacific Division did have some rough company near the bottom. The Seattle Kraken, Calgary Flames, and Vancouver Canucks occupied the final three spots. Even so, that didn’t make the Golden Knights’ No. 11 slot look any less surprising.
The biggest issue, according to Dixon’s breakdown, is scoring. Vegas moved on from a reliable power-play producer in a trade with the New York Rangers and lost 20 power-play goals in the process, creating an obvious question about who picks up that offense now. Jack Eichel and Mark Stone were the names raised as possible answers, but the concern remains that the team needs someone to step into that role quickly.
Goaltending is another reason the ranking came in lower than expected. Carter Hart and Adin Hill both dealt with injuries last season, and the result was a lack of steady netminding.
Hill’s injuries knocked him out of a starting job, and the shaky play in goal created problems the Golden Knights couldn’t dig out of. If Vegas wants to move up, that area has to stabilize.
Still, the Golden Knights are hardly short on talent. Dixon pointed to their depth down the middle, along with the presence of stars like Mark Stone and Mitch Marner. He also noted that the defense corps moves the puck well, which helps Vegas open up the ice.
As for how the Golden Knights can improve their standing, the path is straightforward: find a scorer, or at least a dependable way to replace the goals that left with the offseason move. The team also needs to keep a close eye on the Connor Hellebuyck situation and be ready to act if the right opening appears. Dixon said the offers so far have been “exceptionally weak,” so the key will be putting together the best possible package if Vegas decides to strike.
That kind of aggressive move would fit the way Kelly McCrimmon has operated before. He has not been afraid to make the necessary changes, even when that meant moving players like Zach Whitecloud and Nicolas Hague to help build the current contender.
In Other News...
Mark Stone Just Made His Commitment To Vegas Crystal Clear
Mark Stones latest move left little doubt about where he wants to finish this chapter of his career. The Golden Knights captain signed a two-year contract extension worth a $9 million average annual value, and the deal includes a full no-move clause, a clear sign of how firmly he is tied to Vegas as he continues as one of the franchises most important players.
Stone has been a central figure in the Golden Knights rise over eight seasons, and his value has gone well beyond the scoresheet. In a recent interview, he talked about his commitment to the team and to the Las Vegas community, reinforcing the sense that his focus remains on building with the organization rather than looking elsewhere. For a club that still leans on its leaders, that kind of certainty matters. [Read more 🡒]
Golden Knights Are Betting On A Late Bloomer On Defense
Parker Wotherspoon arrives in Vegas coming off the most productive NHL season of his career, a stretch that put him firmly on the Golden Knights radar after 80 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins. For a player who has had to climb steadily to carve out a regular role, the move represents another step in a late-blooming path that has been shaped by patience, opportunity and the chance to keep learning from veteran defensemen along the way.
Wotherspoon spoke about how his game has progressed, including the influence of teammate Erik Karlsson, and he said the welcome from his new teammates in Vegas has already been a positive one. He also sounded genuinely excited about the off-ice change, noting his enthusiasm about living in Las Vegas as he settles into a new chapter with a team that is betting his best hockey may still be ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Golden Knights Open Camp With Real Forward Line Drama
Training camp opens Thursday at City National Arena, and the Golden Knights are bringing a crowded field to the first skates, with 66 players in the mix as roles and roster spots start to take shape. The familiar names are there, too, from Jack Eichel and Mitch Marner to Mark Stone, giving the club plenty of high-end talent even before the lines are settled.
The intrigue is less about whether Vegas has skill and more about where it all fits. Early speculation points to Trevor Connelly as a possible third-line piece and Victor Olofsson on the fourth line, the kind of alignment that says plenty about how much competition there is at forward and how little is guaranteed before camp even really gets rolling. [Read more 🡒]