When you’ve acquired one of the best wingers on the planet, the expectation is that you should win the Stanley Cup. That’s how it should go, at least.
It seems that NHL.com has taken note of this and is on the Vegas Golden Knights gravy train. Five experts are picking the Golden Knights to have another big Toshiba Plaza party in June, picking them to win the Stanley Cup. Who’s jumping on the Vegas hype train heading into the 2025-26 season?
- Nicholas Cotsonika: Golden Knights over the Maple Leafs; Conn Smythe goes to Mitch Marner
- William Douglas: Golden Knights over the Panthers; Conn Smythe goes to Jack Eichel
- Dan Rosen: Golden Knights over the Devils; Conn Smythe goes to Marner
- David Satriano: Golden Knights over the Hurricanes; Conn Smythe goes to Marner
- Mike Zeisberger: Golden Knights over the Lightning; Conn Smythe goes to Eichel
Two other staff members (Brian Compton and Shawn Roarke) picked the Golden Knights to make the Stanley Cup Final. Aside from the Golden Knights, the Dallas Stars were also a popular pick with four staff members picking Dallas. It makes sense since the Stars have Mikko Rantanen and Jake Oettinger carrying the load, among others.
The expectations are heightened for the Vegas Golden Knights heading into the 2025-26 season
First, how hilarious would it be if Nicholas Cotsonika’s prediction came true? It would make a Maple Leafs fan’s head explode from the pure irony, leaving their jaws on the floor. Finally! Marner doesn’t have to worry about taking 200 more offensive zone faceoffs! That’s what Colton Sissons is for, you know.
But the reality is that the Golden Knights have all eyes watching them this season. That means people from Toronto will be watching. They want to see if Mitch Marner’s change of scenery was actually worth it after nine seasons with the Maple Leafs.
That also means people from Edmonton will be watching. You know how the old saying goes: keep your friends close but your enemies closer. Will the Golden Knights getting Marner make them a threat towards Edmonton’s Western Conference supremacy? Or will it be the same song and dance that it’s been for the past two seasons?
Heck, they’ll even watch in California, Washington state, and other parts of Canada. The Golden Knights have a big ol’ target on their backs, leaving them as the league’s top dog. That’s a lot of pressure for a club looking to win another Stanley Cup. The other Pacific Division squads have noticed and are preparing to outrun Vegas in the future.
That’s why the San Jose Sharks went through a rigorous rebuild to set themselves nicely for the future. That’s why the Anaheim Ducks got Chris Kreider and Joel Quenneville to go all-in on their group of young stars. That’s why the Seattle Kraken… well, nobody knows what the Kraken are doing.
This season won’t be easy for the Golden Knights. Heightened expectations and the season’s sheer unpredictability could derail the enitre year in a heartbeat. Still, if there’s one team that can win another Stanley Cup, it’s the Golden Knights. You better stock up on that beer for the upcoming regular season because…
