How do the Vegas Golden Knights return to the mountaintop?
After a disappointing second-round exit in five games to the Edmonton Oilers this past postseason, the Knights must reload this offseason and attack this loaded Western Conference.
While it was not the result they had anticipated, the Oilers are a phenomenal team, and this recent letdown should not deter their goals or confidence.
According to NHL Analyst Nick Kypreos, Nicolas Roy could be a cap casualty this summer.
Roy joined Vegas for the 2019-20 season and has been an effective bottom-six forward ever since. Over the last four seasons and 284 games, Roy has recorded 57 goals, 141 points, 147 penalty minutes, and was a key depth piece on their 2023 Stanley Cup-winning team.
The 28-year-old is a solid, responsible defensive forward and plays the heavy, physical game necessary to thrive in the playoffs. He also has two years left on his $6 million total contract.
While under-the-radar pieces like Roy are crucial to championships, he is one of the more expendable pieces on this Knights roster.
Vegas’ core of Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, William Karlsson, Shea Theodore, Noah Hanifin, and Alex Pietrangelo are all locked up for at least a few more seasons. This should give them enough time to legitimately compete for the Cup.
However, despite the Knights’ promising future, they are looking to make a splash, potentially a Mitch Marner-sized splash. They only have a little over $7.61 million in cap space and will need to get creative with their money.
Unfortunately, Roy may have to pay the price.
