Paul Delos Santos and Max Miller discuss whether or not the Golden Knights are legit Stanley Cup contenders? The Vegas Golden Knights will kick off their regular season against the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at T-Mobile Arena What are the chances that the Golden Knights can repeat as Stanley Cup Champons? Here’s five reasons why they can do it, and one reason why they won’t. REASON NO. 1 – THE BAND IS BACK TOGETHER The Vegas Golden Knights lost Reilly Smith, but that’s the biggest loss the team suffered in the offseason. Sure, it’s a big one emotionally, but in terms of production, they chose Ivan Barbashev, who’s in his prime, over Smith, who’s on the tail end. Other than that, the Golden Knights return all the key pieces that won the Cup. The team is good five-on-five ad rolls deep. There’s no reason why this group couldn’t string it together again and win the Stanley Cup. REASON NO. 2 – BARBASHEV CONTINUES STRONG INFLUENCE IN VEGAS Ivan Barbashev played a big role in the run to the Stanley Cup. He helped Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy solve who will play on the first line with Jack Eichel and Jonathan Marchessault. A full season of Barbashev could mean big things. He was close to a point-per-game player in the postseason, scoring 18 points in 22 playoff games for Vegas. If he does that type of production, he will be one of Vegas’s top scorers. There’s no reason why he couldn’t either. He has Eichel’s vision and Marchessault taking up attention on other wing. It will leave plenty of opportunity for Barbashev to get his points. REASON NO. 3 – ‘PLAYOFF JACK’ SHOWS EICHEL CAN BE ELITE Jack Eichel was incredible in the Stanley Cup playoffs and almost claimed the Conn Smythe by simply being a point-per-game player and defensive stalwart. Eichel may never score in bunches like the guy he’s constantly asked about, Connor McDavid, but his game allows him to be a presence both offensively and defensively. If the Eichel that showed up in the playoffs – a point per game version of himself – shows up during the regular season, Vegas has a good shot at once again raising the Stanley Cup. REASON NO. 4 – MARK STONE IS HEALTHY It might only be October, but Mark Stone is healthy. He’s such a driver on second line with Chanlder Stephenson that Stone simply makes the team better by just being there. Stone hasn’t played in more than 65 games since the pre-COVID era (2016-17). That said, if Stone is healthy for 70-82 games, it gives Vegas a boost both on its lines and on its special teams. Stone, when healthy, is a Selke Trophy-caliber player and plays like one every time he steps on the ice. REASON NO. 5 – SECOND YEAR UNDER BRUCE Naturally, one thing that will work in favor of Vegas is that they’re going to be in the second year of the system with Bruce Cassidy. They won the Stanley Cup and still can learn a lot under Cassidy, whose Xs and Os knowledge is one of the big reasons why they raised the Cup. If Vegas makes its improvements under Cassidy in its areas of weakness – mainly on special teams – it gives Vegas a solid chance to repeat. ONE REASON WHY THEY WON’T One trend that the Vegas Golden Knights will look to be like the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020-21 to win back-to-back Stanley Cups. It’s hard to compare the teams, however. The Lightning won in the unique COVID years. Since 1990, only four teams have done the back-to-back. The Golden Knights will have to overcome the short offseason, catch some breaks in injuries, and play their best hockey in May and June again. That’s a tough ask. Make sure you bookmark THN’s Vegas Golden Knights site [http://thn.com/vegas] for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. A look at the Vegas Golden Knights initial 2023-24 roster [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights/news/a-look-at-the-vegas-golden-knights-initial-2023-24-roster] Golden Knights name Eichel and Karlsson as assistant captains [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights/news/golden-knights-name-eichel-and-karlsson-as-assistant-captains] Five Vegas Golden Knight home games to circle [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights/news/five-vegas-golden-knight-home-games-to-circle] Five big questions heading into the Vegas Golden Knights 2023-24 regular season [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights/news/five-big-questions-heading-into-the-vegas-golden-knights-2023-24-regular-season] PREVIEWING THE PACIFIC: Edmonton Oilers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights/news/previewing-the-pacific-edmonton-oilers] The Neutral Zone Podcast is live! Join Max Miller, The Hockey News San Jose Sharks site editor and Paul Delos Santos as they discuss the two teams and the rest of the Pacific Division. Listen below: Follow Paul Delos Santos on X: @PaulDelos_ [http://twitter.com/pauldelos_]
