Vegas Hopes to be Next Pacific Team with Championship

After last seasons unceremonious sweep in the 1st round of the playoffs by the Dallas Stars, the Vegas Golden Knights have had a relatively quiet off-season thus far.  Other than a trade for Chris Tanev from the Columbus Blue Jackets, and a minor trade for Karson Kuhlman, GM Tom Jervis seems content to run it back with most of the same roster intact.  It seems young stars Ben Jones and Pavel Dorofeyev will start the season in the AHL, in hopes of further development.  But it may not be long before they are called up as re-enforcements if the Golden Knights get off to a slow start.  The team will need to have a deep playoff run if they are to stay together.  With many aging veterans and a couple key expiring contracts, this should prove to be a defining year for the Knights.  Will they be able to break through?  Or will another early exit show that this squad is flawed, and a rebuild should begin?  With their top defenseman all becoming free agents in the same off-season (2025) they may not have a choice.