In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, Neil Smith and Vic Morren head to the desert to break down the Vegas Golden Knights, a team still in win-now mode—and not afraid to prove it

Coming off a 110-point season and a second-round loss to Edmonton, Vegas pulled off the biggest move of the offseason, acquiring Mitch Marner from Toronto and signing him to an 8-year, $12M AAV deal. The message? The Golden Knights are all-in again.

But with aging stars, injury concerns, and cap issues, is this the final swing of the sword before the dynasty window closes?

🧊 IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] 110 points in 2025, second-round exit vs. Edmonton

[00:30] Mitch Marner trade & 8-year, $12M extension

[01:00] Vegas' “go-for-it” identity: how long can it last?

[01:30] Cap trouble: $7.6M over the limit—what's next?

[02:00] Prospect pool ranked among NHL’s worst

[02:30] Additions: L’Heureux, Sissons, Jacob Magna

[03:00] Big loss: Alex Pietrangelo injury likely career-ending

[03:30] D-core still solid: Theodore, McNabb, Hanifin, Whitecloud

[04:00] Forward depth: Is Vegas actually deeper than Edmonton?

[05:00] Top-six preview: Eichel, Marner, Dorofeyev / Hertl, Stone, Barbashev

[06:00] Playoff scoring drop-off: Only 10 goals vs. Oilers

[06:30] Health concerns: Mark Stone + Jack Eichel

[07:00] Goaltending: Aidan Hill vs. the field

[07:30] Can Vegas still lead the Pacific—or is the window closing?

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Vegas always finds a way to land the big fish, and Marner is the latest proof. But cap issues loom, and depth will be tested.

The top six is elite, but the bottom six must contribute. With guys like Barbashev, Roy, and Dorofeyev, there’s promise—but also pressure.

Losing Alex Pietrangelo to a career-threatening injury is massive. Luckily, Hanifin, McNabb, Whitecloud, and Theodore make up a strong top four.

Aidan Hill isn’t flashy—but he’s got a Cup ring. With Schmid backing him up, goaltending may not win games, but it shouldn’t lose them either.

The clock is ticking. Eichel’s UFA status in 2026, Stone’s lingering injuries, and the lack of elite prospects mean the time to win is now.

🎯 FINAL WORD:

Vegas still plays with swagger. They still have the firepower. And they still believe the Stanley Cup runs through the desert.

But after a playoff flameout and another headline-grabbing offseason, this version of the Golden Knights may be their last, best chance at glory.

🔗 RESOURCE LINKS:

📺 YouTube: NHL Wraparound Channel

🐦 X (Twitter): @NHLWraparound

🎤 Neil Smith: @NYCNeil

📘 Vic Morren: Vic on LinkedIn

📸 Instagram: @NHLWraparound

🎵 TikTok: @NHLWraparound

👍 Facebook: NHL Wraparound Facebook

🏒 HASHTAGS

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