The Vegas Golden Knights are looking to rebound this season after an early playoff exit against the Dallas Stars last year. Head coach Bruce Cassidy, who took over in July 2022, believes the foundation for a championship team was already in place and just needed his vision. As the preseason continues, Cassidy remains optimistic, pointing to the team’s direction and depth, including strong performances like their recent 6-1 win against Colorado. With a squad packed with key players and confident goaltending, Cassidy claims the team culture is focused on success. He emphasizes that while the framework is solid, it ultimately depends on the players’ performance this season.

By the numbers

• The Golden Knights are currently 3-0-1 in the preseason.
• They improved their roster with notable changes, including Tomas Hertl replacing Chandler Stephenson.

Yes, but

While Cassidy expresses confidence in the team, potential uncertainties remain regarding their overall playoff performance given last year’s early exit.

State of affairs

• Cassidy claims the team is still aligned with his vision from two years ago.
• The goaltending situation is stable and Adin Hill and veteran Ilya Samsonov will contribute.

What’s next

The Knights will need to prove their consistent performance as the regular season approaches, focusing on executing their game strategy to dominate the division.

In short

Cassidy’s confidence in the Golden Knights reflects a strong foundation; however, the players must rise to the challenge of converting that potential into playoff success.