We haven’t had a podcast together in a while, so I haven’t been able to yell at Ken the way I normally do. I just can’t wait on this one. Look, I understand what he was trying to accomplish with the recent article about career highs and averages, but it just seems like a lot to ask.
Let’s be sensible, should the Golden Knights actually expect a combined 48 goals from newcomers Zach Aston-Reese, Alexander Holtz, and Victor Olofsson? Maybe if we add up their career highs, but that’s when expectations become unrealistic. The Golden Knights will bump into scoring woes if their replacement offense goes into below-average mode.
Aston-Reese has reached double digits once in seven seasons and hasn’t been able to crack eleven minutes of ice time since 2021. Reaching ten goals would be stunning for someone who has recorded one special teams goal in his career.
On to Olofsson. Are Golden Knights fans supposed to believe the former Sabre can match his magical 28-goal season in 2022-23? He’s reached 20+ goals three times in his career, so it’s not completely out of the question. However, it’ll take a lot playmaking from Jack Eichel, which we aren’t even sure if he’ll be playing with yet. Additionally, Olofsson’s special teams prowess has been in decline recently. The 29-year-old took only nine power play shots last year and finished the season with just three man-advantage points. For the Golden Knights to reach their goal target, they’ll need the former Sabre to find the back of the net on the regular.
Alexander Holtz has the strongest argument to match or exceed his career numbers in an elevated role with Vegas. After reaching 82 games last year, Holtz is primed to repeat the same production he provided for New Jersey. Under the right conditions, the 22-year-old should grow offensively. He’ll also have opportunities to pitch in on the power play. Eclipsing his career-high 16 goals will be something to watch. This is, of course, if he can gain favor with his head coach, something he struggled with last year in New Jersey,
Another trend that may lead to a lack of scoring is first-year player productivity under coach Bruce Cassidy. Former VGK’er Michael Amadio hit his career best with 16 goals under Cassidy in 2022-23 but that’s it. He’s the only impact player to do so. So what are the chances all three newcomers snap that concerning movement?
In the end, it’s the players already on the roster that will or won’t make up for VGK’s lost goals. Fans trust Jack Eichel, Tomas Hertl, William Karlsson, and Mark Stone to provide the big moment. The defense should add a ton as well. We pretty much know what we’re going to get from Pietrangelo and Theodore, and Noah Hanifin recorded a career high last season with 13 goals between Calgary and Vegas. Scoring 15 shouldn’t be too much to ask.
Health will play a factor but it begins and ends with the team’s veterans. It will take a village if the Golden Knights want to achieve success in 2024-25. Last season VGK recorded 267 regular season goals, nine goals more than the league average. The previous year, the Golden Knights scored 262 regular season goals and secured the franchise’s first Stanley Cup championship. We should expect another easy playoff berth if this year’s club can tally 260 or more. If they can’t, it could be another race to the finish.
