The Golden Knights are back together, and the message around TPC Summerlin on Tuesday was pretty clear: the offseason is over, and the push toward another Stanley Cup run is already underway.
Las Vegas held its annual VGK Golf Classic, the first time the full team had gathered since the loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2026 Stanley Cup Final. The event, staged to raise money for Southern Nevada organizations through the VGK Foundation, gave players a chance to reconnect before the next phase of the hockey calendar starts rolling.
Rasmus Andersson arrived in a very different frame of mind after spending much of the shortened offseason back home in Sweden. The defenseman said he used that time to get away from the grind of the game.
“It was nice to be back home in Sweden, just to try to disconnect from hockey as much as possible,” Andersson said.
Now he’s back in Las Vegas with a long-term commitment in hand. The Golden Knights signed Andersson in July to a seven-year, $59.5 million contract that keeps him with the team through the 2032-33 season.
“Ever since I got traded here, I’ve loved it,” Andersson said. “We really fell in love with the city as well. So, super excited, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
Braeden Bowman’s offseason had a different focus. For him, the work was about turning a growing opportunity into something permanent.
Bowman said he felt more comfortable at the NHL level as last season went on, and his offseason priorities were straightforward: get stronger, get faster, and be ready to claim a regular spot.
“I just focused on getting bigger, stronger,” Bowman said. “I want to make the jump and be a full-time guy, so get stronger, work on my speed and get my pace up.”
He’ll also be working with familiar company again. Bowman is set to reunite with new Golden Knights coach Ryan Craig, who previously coached him with the Henderson Silver Knights.
“He’s a great coach. He’s a great person, too,” Bowman said. “He’s honest, fair - everything you want in a coach.”
The next chapter arrives quickly. The Golden Knights’ 23-player rookie camp opens Friday in Las Vegas, and the prospects head to San Jose for the Rookie Faceoff starting Saturday.
In Other News...
Former Golden Knights Goalie Just Landed In A Familiar Rival Spot
Ilya Samsonov is back in the Pacific Division mix, this time landing with the San Jose Sharks on a one-year, two-way contract. For the Golden Knights, it is a familiar name in a familiar place, since Samsonov spent time in Vegas before moving on, and now he finds himself joining a Sharks goaltending group that already includes Alex Nedeljkovic, Yaroslav Askarov and Eric Comrie.
The move gives San Jose another experienced option for a position that can change quickly over the course of a season, especially with a roster built to sort out depth as much as upside. Samsonov brings a six-year professional track record that has included stretches in the KHL and in the NHL, but the real intrigue for Vegas fans is less about the contract itself and more about how a former Knight fits into one of the clubs divisional rivals. [Read more 🡒]
Shea Theodore Has One Big Chance To Quiet A Growing Vegas Concern
Shea Theodores value to the Golden Knights has never come from one side of the puck alone, but this past season offered a slightly different picture than the one Vegas had grown used to seeing. His offensive production dipped from the year before, even as he found a way to chip in more goals and sharpen his defensive impact, including a noticeable bump in blocked shots. In 70 games, he looked more sturdy and more responsible in his own end, which matters for a team that leans heavily on its blue line to drive play.
Still, for a player whose game is built around tilt-the-ice production from the back end, the concern in Vegas is whether the offense will fully return. The projection for next season suggests a modest bounce back, with Theodore expected to land around nine goals and 35 assists while keeping that stronger defensive profile intact. If he can thread that needle, the Golden Knights will feel a lot better about where his game is headed. [Read more 🡒]
Rasmus Andersson Faces One Big Pressure Point In Vegas
Rasmus Andersson arrived in Vegas with the kind of contract that says the Golden Knights see him as more than a depth add. The seven-year, $59.5 million extension also makes clear where the organization stands, even with some fans still voicing criticism over how he has performed in both the playoffs and the regular season. Andersson, for his part, has said he is grateful for the chance to join the team.
Kelly McCrimmons belief in him helps explain why the Golden Knights were willing to commit for the long haul. The general manager values Anderssons puck-moving ability, which fits neatly with the clubs offensive approach and gives Vegas a specific reason to bet on a player who now has to live up to a very visible investment. The pressure point is obvious, and it comes with the territory when a new arrival is handed that kind of responsibility. [Read more 🡒]