The Vegas Golden Knights reached the 2026 Stanley Cup Final, won the Pacific Division, and still entered the summer with major choices to make. Their 39-26-17 regular-season record showed the club remained among the NHL’s elite, but Carolina beat Vegas in six games for the Cup.
Online sports betting sites and markets still place the Golden Knights in the league’s top tier for 2026–27. Vegas has generally sat between 9–1 and 11–1 to win the 2027 Stanley Cup, behind clubs such as Carolina, Florida, and Colorado. The odds reflect a roster that remains dangerous, even after several painful departures.
Pavel Dorofeyev’s Departure Changes The Equation
The largest move came on June 26, when Vegas traded Pavel Dorofeyev to the New York Rangers. Dorofeyev posted career highs with 37 goals, 27 assists, and 64 points in all 82 games last season. He added 12 goals in the playoffs, second on the Golden Knights behind Brett Howden’s 14.
Vegas received the No. 26 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, the No. 92 pick, and a conditional 2028 first-round selection. That return gives general manager Kelly McCrimmon added flexibility, but replacing Dorofeyev’s scoring will not be simple.
The Golden Knights also moved forward Keegan Kolesar to Detroit and traded defenseman Kaedan Korczak to Pittsburgh for Parker Wotherspoon. Goaltender Akira Schmid went to Florida for a 2028 third-round pick, while Colton Sissons signed with Toronto in free agency.
Those exits stripped away useful depth. Kolesar brought physicality and penalty-killing value. Schmid won 16 games in 2025–26 and gave Vegas a reliable option behind Adin Hill. Dorofeyev, however, leaves the largest hole. His finishing ability helped turn close games into wins.
New Faces And A Familiar Coach
Vegas answered with a mix of experience and internal development. Victor Olofsson returned on a one-year deal after splitting last season between Colorado and Calgary. The 31-year-old recorded 13 goals and 31 points in 78 games. He also knows the organization well, having scored 15 goals in 56 games for Vegas during the 2024–25 season.
Olofsson can help on the power play and should get a chance to play higher in the lineup. He does not need to duplicate Dorofeyev’s 37-goal season on his own. Vegas needs production spread across its top nine, especially from Tomas Hertl, Ivan Barbashev, and Alexander Holtz.
Wotherspoon adds a different element on defense. The 28-year-old set career highs with 30 points and a plus-17 rating in 80 games for Pittsburgh. He also blocked 112 shots. His arrival gives the Golden Knights another dependable option behind Shea Theodore, Noah Hanifin, and Brayden McNabb.
Marc Gatcomb joined in free agency to add edge to the bottom six. He logged 192 hits over the past two seasons with the New York Islanders. Vegas has long valued role players who can play fast, finish checks, and handle difficult defensive assignments.
The most important new face may be behind the bench. Ryan Craig replaced John Tortorella on June 17 after coaching Henderson for three seasons. Craig knows the organization’s standards. He spent six years as a Golden Knights assistant and was part of the staff that won the franchise’s first Stanley Cup in 2023.
The Path Back To The Final
The Golden Knights still have their foundation. Jack Eichel remains the centerpiece after another strong season. Mark Stone brings leadership and playoff experience when healthy. William Karlsson, Hertl, Barbashev, Howden, and Mitch Marner give Vegas multiple scoring options.
The blue line also remains built for playoff hockey. Theodore drives offense from the back end, while Hanifin and McNabb provide balance. Adin Hill has already shown he can handle the pressure of a Cup run. Vegas will need him to stay healthy over an 82-game schedule.
The concern is whether the club has enough finishing without Dorofeyev. Vegas scored by committee during its run to the Final, but its best teams have always paired depth with elite top-line production. Eichel and Stone must carry that burden, while Olofsson and younger players such as Trevor Connelly need to contribute.
Connelly offers an intriguing internal solution. The 20-year-old produced 14 goals and 49 points in 46 games for Henderson last season. A strong training camp could put him in a position to challenge for NHL minutes.
Vegas does not need a dramatic overhaul. It needs its stars healthy, its new pieces settled, and its scoring spread across the lineup. The Golden Knights have already proven they can reach the Final. Their offseason moves will determine whether they can finish the job next spring.
