LAS VEGAS — The Vegas Golden Knights consistently operate with a “pedal to the floorboard” mentality, relentlessly pursuing elite talent to bolster their quest for the Stanley Cup. This drive was evident as their newest high-profile acquisition, Mitch Marner, hit the ice Thursday morning to commence training camp.
General Manager Kelly McCrimmon emphasized the organization`s unwavering commitment to winning: “We haven`t had a stretch in our history where you know you`re taking a step back. That`s not how we feel. We`re going to be pedal to the floorboard.”
Even prior to acquiring Marner in an eight-year, $96 million sign-and-trade agreement, the Golden Knights were widely considered strong contenders for the upcoming season. However, integrating one of the NHL’s top playmakers unequivocally positions Vegas at the forefront of the championship conversation.
Marner, along with several of his new teammates, recently attended a Las Vegas Raiders-Los Angeles Chargers game. The Allegiant Stadium big screen notably showcased three of the top five picks from the 2015 draft: Jack Eichel (No. 2), Marner (No. 4), and Noah Hanifin (No. 5)—all now united under the Golden Knights banner.
Facing high expectations is familiar territory for Marner. Having played for his hometown team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, he was immersed in one of hockey’s most fervent markets. Despite his hopes of leading his beloved team to a championship, the dream remained elusive, with the Leafs consistently failing to progress beyond the second round. As a prominent player, Marner often bore the brunt of criticism from Toronto`s passionate fan base.
In Vegas, Marner embraces the opportunity for a fresh start with a new and enthusiastic fan base, whose passion he witnessed firsthand at the Raiders game. “It’s been a lot of fun getting to know the area pretty well now,” Marner remarked. “It’s been great going out for walks — the sun, the heat, the mountains. The dog’s still getting used to it here with the heat, but it’s just been awesome.”
Both Marner and Eichel are renowned more for their playmaking abilities than their goal-scoring prowess. Last season, Marner achieved career highs with 102 points and 75 assists (ranking third in the league), complementing his 27 goals. Eichel recorded similar numbers, with 28 goals, 66 assists, and 94 points, acknowledging post-season that he likely needs to shoot more frequently.
A key strategic decision for coach Bruce Cassidy this season involves whether to deploy Marner and Eichel on the same top line or to distribute their offensive firepower across different units. If they are paired together, as they were during Thursday`s practice alongside Ivan Barbashev, at least one player will need to adopt a more assertive shooting approach.
Marner commented on their potential synergy: “We’re both going to have to shoot it. I think we’re both going to get some good opportunities. We’ve got to be comfortable in the areas to not be afraid to shoot. Barby’s going to be around the net hunting those pucks, so just try to get it around there.”
Eichel Contract Extension Remains a Priority
General Manager McCrimmon reiterated that securing Jack Eichel, who has one season remaining on his eight-year, $80 million contract, continues to be a top agenda item. “We have tremendous regard for the player and what he’s meant to our organization,” McCrimmon affirmed. “I think he feels the organization’s been very good for him as well. We’ll continue to have dialogue.”
Eichel was unavailable for media interviews on Thursday, having been held out of one of two practice sessions as a precautionary measure due to a minor tweak, according to Coach Cassidy.
Earlier in the month, during the NHL media tour, Eichel indicated his openness to continuing contract negotiations even after the season commences if a deal is not finalized beforehand. “If a contract happens organically, then it happens,” Eichel stated at the time. “Right now, you’re just focused on trying to get yourself in as good of a place as you can be to start the season and help the hockey team.”
Pietrangelo`s Continued Connection to the Team
Defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, a two-time Stanley Cup winner with St. Louis and Vegas, has been a pivotal figure for the Golden Knights, admired for both his on-ice performance and leadership. Due to a significant hip injury, he will not be playing this season, casting uncertainty over his NHL future.
Nonetheless, McCrimmon confirmed Pietrangelo`s intention to reside in Las Vegas and maintain his involvement with the club. “He’s around the facility lots,” McCrimmon noted. “He wants to stay connected, stay busy, so we expect to see him a fair bit.”
Duncan Priestley 
Neville Woodall