Who Should Be The Golden Knights Second Line Centre

Chandler Stephenson was the Vegas Golden Knights second line centre last season but with his UFA status and the high possibility of him leaving, the Golden Knights have questions they need to answer. 

The Golden Knights reportedly are open to discussing a contract extension with Stephenson but if his demands are too high the Golden Knights are prepared to move on. 

The 30-year-old is projected to earn around $5-6M annually after scoring 16 goals and 51 points in 76 games this season. Slotting in on the second line, Stephenson provides the Golden Knights with a different element. Jack Eichel is undoubtedly the team's first-line centre and go-to guy, but Stephenson's speed and playmaking are key factors to the Golden Knights' success.

If the Golden Knights are unable to work something out with Stephenson, another option is to move William Karlsson into the second-line role. 

HC Bruce Cassidy and GM Kelly McCrimmon will likely be hesitant to do this for a number of reasons. Karlsson had an excellent season in 2023-24 playing as a shutdown third-line centre. He finished with 30 goals and 60 points which were both the most he's scored since his first season in Vegas. 

His offensive output was great but what he did defensively is something the Golden Knights wouldn't want to lose by moving him to the second line. 

The Golden Knights don't have any prospects who could step into that role meaning the Golden Knights would have to look at free agency or the trade market. 

Elias Lindholm, Matt Duchene, Adam Henrique, Sean Monahan, Alex Wennberg and Jack Roslovic are some of the top-ranked UFA centremen that the Golden Knights could pursue. 

The Golden Knights' decision will be a difficult one but an important one. 

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