Jump to content

Vegas Golden Knights

This is a good article. Click here for more information.
Page semi-protected
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Vegas Golden Knights
2024–25 Vegas Golden Knights season
A Black and gold shield and white borders. Inside the shield, a Golden barbute helmet with a V-shaped opening.
ConferenceWestern
DivisionPacific
Founded2017
HistoryVegas Golden Knights
2017–present
Home arenaT-Mobile Arena
CityParadise, Nevada
Three hockey uniforms. The first is the home uniform, with the Golden Knights' logo on a gold jersey with red, white, and grey stripes, grey shorts, and a grey helmet. The second is the road uniform, with the Golden Knights' logo on a white jersey with red, gold, and grey stripes, grey shorts, and a white helmet. The third is the alternate uniform, with the Golden Knights' logo on a dark grey jersey with red, gold, and black stripes, black shorts, and a grey helmet. The socks on all three match the stripes on and color of the jerseys.
Team colorsSteel grey, gold, red, black[1][2]
       
MediaKMCC (TV)
KKGK (Fox Sports 1340/98.9) (English radio)
KENO (Deportes Vegas 1460) (Spanish radio)
Owner(s)Black Knight Sports and Entertainment (Bill Foley) (majority)[3][4][5]
Adrienne Maloof (minority)[6]
General managerKelly McCrimmon
Head coachBruce Cassidy
CaptainMark Stone
Minor league affiliatesHenderson Silver Knights (AHL)
Tahoe Knight Monsters (ECHL)
Stanley Cups1 (2022–23)
Conference championships2 (2017–18, 2022–23)
Presidents' Trophy0
Division championships3 (2017–18, 2019–20, 2022–23)
Official websitenhl.com/goldenknights

The Vegas Golden Knights are a professional ice hockey team based in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. The Golden Knights compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference. Founded in 2017 as an expansion team, the team is the first major sports franchise to represent Las Vegas. The franchise is primarily owned by Black Knight Sports and Entertainment, a consortium led by Bill Foley, with Adrienne Maloof holding a minority stake. Their home games are played at T-Mobile Arena on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada.

One of the few expansion franchises to experience immediate success, the Golden Knights qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs in their first four seasons and reached the Stanley Cup Finals in their first season. Their 13 playoff wins en route to the 2018 Stanley Cup Finals are the most for a team during their inaugural postseason run.[7] In 2023, the club returned to the Stanley Cup Finals and won their first Stanley Cup championship, defeating the Florida Panthers in five games.

History

Background and establishment

The NHL has had a presence in Las Vegas since 1991; that year, the city hosted the first outdoor game between two NHL teams – a preseason exhibition between the Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers outside Caesars Palace. The Kings would subsequently organize "Frozen Fury" – a series of annual preseason games in Las Vegas against the Colorado Avalanche. The NHL Awards ceremonies have been held in Las Vegas since 2009.[8] In 2009, the media speculated about a plan involving Hollywood producer Jerry Bruckheimer to move the Phoenix Coyotes to Nevada.[9]

Rumors of a Las Vegas expansion team surfaced again in August 2014, pointing to a new indoor arena on the Strip (built as a joint venture between Anschutz Entertainment Group, owners of the Los Angeles Kings, and MGM Resorts International) as the potential home arena,[10] although these rumors were denied by the league.[11][12][13] In November 2014, an unconfirmed report stated that the league had selected billionaire businessman Bill Foley and the Maloof family (former owners of the National Basketball Association's Sacramento Kings, and founders of the Palms Casino Resort) to lead the ownership group for a Las Vegas expansion team.[14][15] In December 2014, the NHL's board of governors decided to allow Foley to hold a season ticket drive to gauge interest in a Las Vegas team, though league commissioner Gary Bettman also asked the media not to "make more out of this than it is".[16][17] The season ticket drive began in February 2015, with interested parties placing ten percent deposits for the 2016–17 season.[18] The drive drew 5,000 deposits in its first day and a half, and reached its goal of 10,000 deposits by April 2015.[18][19]

In June 2015, the league officially opened the window for prospective owners to bid on expansion teams.[20] By this point, Foley had secured more than 13,200 season-ticket deposits.[21] Two expansion applications were submitted: Foley's application for a Las Vegas team, and a bid from Quebecor to revive the Quebec Nordiques at a new arena in Quebec City.[21] Both Las Vegas and Quebec were invited to move into Phase II of the league expansion bid in August 2015, which involved providing additional details about the Las Vegas market to the league.[22] Later in the same month, both bids proceeded to Phase III, which involved a review of ownership financials.[23]

At the league owners' meeting on June 22, 2016, in Las Vegas, the Las Vegas expansion bid was approved by a unanimous vote, with play to begin in the 2017–18 NHL season.[24][25] The team became the first major professional sports franchise to be based in Las Vegas, and the first NHL expansion team since 2000.[26] Foley committed to pay the league's $500 million expansion fee[27] and began the process of hiring the team's principal staff and determining its official identity. Foley announced that former Washington Capitals general manager George McPhee would be the franchise's first general manager.[28] On November 22, 2016, the name was revealed as the Vegas Golden Knights.[29]

Start of operations and the inaugural season (2017–2018)

On March 1, 2017, the team completed its expansion fee payments and filings, making it eligible to formally begin operations such as free agent acquisition, and participation in league meetings.[30] Five days later, the Golden Knights made their first personnel move by signing Reid Duke to a three-year entry-level contract.[31][32]

The team announced inaugural head coach Gerard Gallant on April 13, 2017.[33] Over the next two months, the Golden Knights developed their farm system, announcing affiliations with the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League and the Quad City Mallards of the ECHL.[34][35]

The team participated in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft on June 21, 2017, selecting an available player from all 30 teams in the NHL. The draft picks were announced at T-Mobile Arena during the NHL Awards ceremony. Some notable selections included goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury from the Pittsburgh Penguins and winger James Neal from the Nashville Predators.[36][37] At the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Cody Glass was the first player selected by the Golden Knights.[38] The Golden Knights played their first game on October 6 against the Dallas Stars with Neal scoring the franchise's first two goals en route to their first victory.[39]

Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury in February 2018.
Goaltender Malcolm Subban in February 2018.
Marc-Andre Fleury (left) and Malcolm Subban (right), prior to games against the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins in February 2018, respectively. During October 2017, the Golden Knights were forced to start four different goaltenders due to injuries.

The team's inaugural home game at T-Mobile Arena was played on October 10, 2017, hosting the Arizona Coyotes as the second game of a home-and-home series. In the aftermath of the October 1 mass shooting, the pre-game ceremonies honored the victims of the attack, and the team issued an appeal for donations to its charitable arm.[40] With their 5–2 win, the Golden Knights increased their unbeaten streak to start the season to 3–0, an NHL record for an expansion team.[41][42][43] The Golden Knights are the first team in NHL history to start their inaugural season winning eight of their first nine games.[44] During their tenth game, goaltender Oscar Dansk was injured becoming the third Golden Knights' goaltender to be injured during the season after losing starters Fleury and the recently acquired Malcolm Subban, forcing the team to start a fourth goaltender in 11 games with Maxime Lagace.[45]

Fifteen games into the season, Vadim Shipachyov became the first player to retire from the NHL as a Golden Knight when he decided to return to the Kontinental Hockey League.[46] In December, the Golden Knights set another NHL expansion team record of six straight wins, a record they previously missed when they lost their tenth game of the season, and established a new NHL record with eight straight wins.[47][48][49] On February 1, 2018, the Golden Knights set the expansion team record for wins in a debut season with 34 wins after only 50 games,[50] and then on February 21, 2018, set a record for most points by an expansion team in the inaugural season with 84.[51] Clinching a berth for the 2018 playoffs on March 26, the Golden Knights became the first team since the Edmonton Oilers and Hartford Whalers in the 1979–80 season to make the playoffs in their inaugural season in the league.[52] On March 31, the Golden Knights clinched the Pacific Division title, becoming the first true expansion team in the four major sports to win its division in its inaugural season (not counting all-expansion divisions, as was the case in the 1967–68 season).[53] Vegas' inaugural season was widely considered the most successful of any North American expansion team,[54][55][56] with much attention given to the breakout seasons of their expansion draft selections,[57] dubbed the "Golden Misfits."[58]

On April 11, the franchise won its first playoff game in a 1–0 victory over the Los Angeles Kings in the first game of the series.[59] Six days later on April 17, the franchise earned their first playoff series win against the Kings, winning the fourth game by a 1–0 score, which also became their first playoff series sweep. The Golden Knights became the first team in NHL history to sweep their first playoff series in their inaugural season.[60] On May 6, 2018, the Golden Knights defeated the San Jose Sharks four-games-to-two, becoming the third team in NHL history to win multiple playoff series in their inaugural season, and advanced to the Western Conference finals.[61] On May 20, Vegas defeated the Winnipeg Jets to win the Western Conference finals in five games, becoming the third NHL team to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals in its inaugural season, after the Toronto Arenas in 1918 and the St. Louis Blues in 1968.[62] The Golden Knights were defeated in the Stanley Cup Finals by the Washington Capitals in five games;[63] despite this loss, the team won 13 postseason games that year, breaking the record for the most wins by an expansion team in their first playoff appearance.[7]

Continued contention and first Stanley Cup championship (2018–present)

Fleury, forward Max Pacioretty, and defenseman Colin Miller during a game against the Washington Capitals in October 2018
Fleury, Max Pacioretty, and Colin Miller during a game against the Washington Capitals in October 2018.

Prior to the 2018–19 season, the Golden Knights acquired winger Max Pacioretty from the Montreal Canadiens and signed free-agent center Paul Stastny,[64][65] filling the roster holes left by the free-agency departures of James Neal and David Perron.[66][67] Additionally, Vegas acquired future captain Mark Stone from the Ottawa Senators at the trade deadline,[68] subsequently signing him to an eight-year extension.[69] Despite dropping to 93 standings points from the prior season's 109, the Golden Knights returned to the playoffs as the third seed in the Pacific Division. They ultimately suffered their first-ever first-round elimination, losing to the San Jose Sharks in seven games after leading the series 3 games to 1.[70] Game seven was particularly notable; after taking a 3–0 lead into the third period, Cody Eakin delivered a cross-check to Sharks captain Joe Pavelski, resulting in a controversial 5-minute major penalty call that saw the Sharks score four goals and take a 4–3 lead.[71] The Sharks would eventually win the game, after a late game-tying goal by Jonathan Marchessault for Vegas followed by Barclay Goodrow's series winner in overtime.[70]

In May 2019, Vegas modified their front-office staff, with the promotions of George McPhee from general manager to president of hockey operations and assistant general manager Kelly McCrimmon to general manager.[72] During the remainder of the off-season and 2019–20 season, the Golden Knights' roster experienced considerable turnover. In June, original Golden Knights Erik Haula and Colin Miller were traded to the Carolina Hurricanes and Buffalo Sabres,[73][74] respectively, with recently signed KHL standout Nikita Gusev also sent to the New Jersey Devils.[75] The team additionally acquired center Chandler Stephenson from the Washington Capitals in early December 2019.[76] After an up-and-down start resulting in a 24–19–6 record and capped by a four-game losing streak, the team fired head coach Gallant, replacing him with recently fired former Sharks head coach Peter DeBoer on January 15, 2020.[77]

During the following month in the lead-up to the trade deadline, Vegas further acquired defenseman Alec Martinez from the Los Angeles Kings,[78] forward Nick Cousins from Montreal,[79] and goaltender Robin Lehner from the Chicago Blackhawks,[79] as well as trading original Golden Knights Cody Eakin and Malcolm Subban to the Winnipeg Jets and Chicago.[80][79] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NHL regular season was suspended on March 12, 2020,[81] and officially concluded on May 26;[82] Vegas, holding the 3rd-best points percentage in the Western Conference, automatically qualified for the restructured playoffs, playing in a round-robin to determine the top four seeds in the Western playoff bracket.[82] After sweeping the round-robin round over the Dallas Stars, St. Louis Blues, and Colorado Avalanche, Vegas earned the first seed,[83] proceeding to defeat Chicago in the first round in five games.[84] In the second round, Vegas defeated the Vancouver Canucks in seven games, despite once again having previously led the series 3–1.[85] Their playoff run would end in the Western Conference Finals, however, as the Golden Knights lost to Dallas in five games.[86]

Prior to the shortened 2020–21 season, Mark Stone was named the first captain in franchise history.[87] Additionally, alternate captain and team leader Deryk Engelland retired, stepping into a front-office role with the team.[88] The Golden Knights further overhauled the roster in the off-season, notably signing defenseman Alex Pietrangelo to a seven-year contract,[89] as well as trading Paul Stastny to Winnipeg and original Golden Knight Nate Schmidt to Vancouver.[90][91] The shortened schedule saw a temporary realignment where teams only played against their own division in the regular season, with Vegas being placed in a new eight-team West Division.[92] The Golden Knights ultimately finished second in both the division and league; despite being tied in points with the Colorado Avalanche, the Avalanche had five more regulation wins than Vegas.[93] In first round of the playoffs, Vegas was forced to a game seven for the third consecutive year after leading 3–1, but defeated the Minnesota Wild thanks in part to a hat trick from trade-deadline acquisition Mattias Janmark.[94][95]

In the second round, the Golden Knights defeated the Avalanche in six games despite initially going down 2–0;[96] however, Vegas' playoff run would again end one round short of the Stanley Cup Finals, as the Golden Knights were then upset by the Montreal Canadiens in six games in the Stanley Cup Semifinals.[97] Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury was named the winner of the Vezina Trophy as the league's best goaltender at season's end, with he and Lehner also sharing a William M. Jennings Trophy win for allowing the fewest goals against of any team.[98]

The 2021 off-season began with a swap of former first-round picks, as Vegas acquired Nolan Patrick from the Philadelphia Flyers as part of a three-team trade that sent Cody Glass to the Nashville Predators.[99] Vegas also acquired forward Brett Howden from the New York Rangers,[100] later sending Ryan Reaves to the Rangers in a separate trade.[101] Most controversially, Fleury was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks for minor-league forward Mikael Hakkarainen due to salary-cap constraints.[102][103] Vegas later traded for Ottawa Senators forward Evgenii Dadonov,[104] as well as signing Laurent Brossoit to back up Robin Lehner.[105] Approximately one month after the start of the 2021–22 season, Vegas acquired star center Jack Eichel from the Buffalo Sabres, in exchange for Alex Tuch, Peyton Krebs, and two draft picks.[106] During the course of the season, the Golden Knights suffered a rash of injuries across the roster,[107] with a total of 478 man-games lost;[108] owing to this, Ben Hutton,[109] Michael Amadio,[110] Adam Brooks,[111] and Derrick Pouliot were signed or claimed off waivers for depth,[112] while rookies such as Jake Leschyshyn, Jonas Rondbjerg, and Logan Thompson received significant playing time. The trade deadline also witnessed a voided trade, as an attempt to send Dadonov to the Anaheim Ducks fell through due to non-compliance with his no-trade clause.[113] Due in part to the injuries, as well as lackluster play, the Golden Knights ultimately missed the playoffs for the first time in team history,[107] finishing three points behind the Nashville Predators in the Western Conference.

2022–23: Stanley Cup champions

During the 2022 off-season, Vegas fired head coach DeBoer,[114] replacing him with former Boston Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy one month later.[115]

Goaltender Adin Hill during a game against the Seattle Kraken in October 2022.
Goaltender Laurent Brossoit during a game against the Seattle Kraken in April 2023.
Adin Hill (left) and Laurent Brossoit (right) during games against the Seattle Kraken in October 2022 and April 2023, respectively. The two would combine to start all 22 of Vegas' 2023 playoff games, with Brossoit starting the first eight and Hill the final 14, including the entire 2023 Stanley Cup Finals.

Besides the hiring of Cassidy, the Golden Knights experienced comparatively few changes during the off-season; most notably, Mattias Janmark left in free agency, while Max Pacioretty and Dylan Coghlan were traded to the Carolina Hurricanes,[116] and Evgenii Dadonov was traded to the Montreal Canadiens.[117] The team also signed veteran forward Phil Kessel to a one-year contract.[118] Change did occur in the goaltender's net, however; with starting goaltender Robin Lehner ruled out for the season due to hip surgery,[119] and backup Laurent Brossoit set to miss time due to surgery of his own,[120] the team turned to rookie Logan Thompson as starter.[121] Additionally, the Golden Knights acquired Adin Hill from the San Jose Sharks to serve as Thompson's backup.[122]

The Golden Knights began the 2022–23 season leading the Pacific Division, losing just two games during the month of October, and holding a 17–6–1 record at the end of November.[123] However, the team slowed down afterwards, posting a combined 12–12–3 record through December and January, including a 1–5–2 slump in the eight games prior to the All-Star break.[124] The Golden Knights recovered after the break, however; despite a variety of injuries sidelining Thompson, Hill, and a returning Brossoit for varying periods,[125] the Golden Knights went on a tear through the final three months of the season, finishing out 22–4–5.[126][127] In addition, the team acquired forwards Ivan Barbashev and Teddy Blueger at the trade deadline for scoring depth,[128][129] as well as longtime Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick to address the multitude of goaltender injuries.[130] During this period, the Golden Knights also became the first team to win four consecutive games with four different starting goaltenders,[125] as rookie Jiri Patera became the fifth goaltender to start for Vegas during the season.[131] After clinching a playoff berth on March 30, 2023,[132] Vegas defeated the Seattle Kraken in their final regular season game on April 13, narrowly beating out the Edmonton Oilers for both the Pacific Division championship and first seed in the Western Conference.[133]

The Golden Knights with U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House following their Stanley Cup victory in 2023.

In the playoffs, the Golden Knights faced off against the Winnipeg Jets in the first round, in a rematch of the 2018 Western Conference Final; after a 5–1 loss in game 1,[134] the Golden Knights won four straight to win the series in five games.[135] Proceeding to the second round, Vegas defeated the division rival Oilers in six games,[136] despite an injury to Brossoit in game 3 necessitating Hill taking over as goaltender.[137] The Western Conference Final saw a rematch of the 2020 series, as the Golden Knights faced the Dallas Stars once again; avenging their prior loss, Vegas won the series and their second Western Conference championship in six games,[138] despite Dallas forcing two additional games after Vegas led the series 3–0.[139] The Golden Knights ultimately faced the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Finals.[138] Vegas won the Finals in five games, including a dominant 9–3 victory in game 5, to win their first Stanley Cup championship,[140] as well as Las Vegas' first championship in any of the "big 4" North American sports leagues.[141] Jonathan Marchessault, who led the team in playoff goals, would win the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player during the playoffs.[142] Additionally, the Golden Knights fulfilled the prediction of owner Bill Foley, who had previously stated the franchise's goals were "playoffs in three, cup in six," with the 2022–23 season being the franchise's sixth.[143] The Knights became the youngest team to win the Stanley Cup since the NHL's first major expansion in 1967, beating the previous record set by the Philadelphia Flyers, who won the Cup in 1974, their seventh season.[144]

The Golden Knights entered the 2023–24 season retaining the majority of their Cup-winning roster,[145] agreeing to extensions with Barbashev,[146] Hill,[147] and Brayden Pachal several weeks after the Finals.[148] However, Blueger, Brossoit, and Quick departed in free agency, while original Golden Knight Reilly Smith was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins, ending his six-year tenure with the franchise.[149] For the second consecutive season, Vegas started the season at the top of the Pacific Division, going 11–0–1 over their first twelve games, with no regulation losses in October;[150] their seven-game season-opening win streak set the record for the longest season-opening winning streak of any defending champion, surpassing the record of five previously set by the 1985–86 Edmonton Oilers and 1920–21 Ottawa Senators.[151]

The team again faltered in the months afterward, though, with another rash of injuries between November and February resulting in the NHL debuts of Lukas Cormier,[152] Mason Morelli,[153] and 2020 first-round pick Brendan Brisson.[154][155] January also saw the Golden Knights compete in the 2024 NHL Winter Classic on New Year's Day, facing off against Seattle at T-Mobile Park in their second outdoor game; Vegas ultimately lost 3–0, becoming the first team to be shut out in the Winter Classic.[156] Business changes also occurred mid-season, as the Maloof family sold the bulk of their shares to majority owner Foley in early January, with only Adrienne Maloof maintaining a minority stake.[6] After a short winning period in late January that featured Hill's return from a two-month injury,[157][158] as well as Pachal's loss to the Calgary Flames on waivers,[159] the team celebrated its first 1,000th-game ceremony on February 12, 2024, as defenseman Alex Pietrangelo played his 1,000th NHL game.[160] However, the team slumped heavily after the All-Star break, recording a 2–8–1 record between February 12 and March 7,[161] endangering their playoff chances.[162] In an attempt to bolster the roster, the Golden Knights acquired Noah Hanifin,[163] Tomas Hertl,[164] and Anthony Mantha at the trade deadline,[165] later signing Hanifin to an eight-year extension to begin the following season;[166] this was followed by a 6–0–1 surge through late March,[167] culminating in the Golden Knights clinching a playoff berth on April 12.[168] As the second wild card, Vegas again faced off against the Central Division champion Dallas Stars in a rematch of the past year's Western Conference Final; despite winning the first two games of the series, the Golden Knights would ultimately lose the series in seven games, ending their title defense in the first round.[169]

Team identity

Logos, colors, and uniforms

A four-pointed red star, with a white and gold inner border and black outer border. Underneath the star are two crossed swords with gold hilts and a black outline.
The team's secondary logo

The team's primary logo is a barbute helmet, superimposed on a black and gold shield, with a V-shaped opening.[170][171] The secondary logo is two crossing swords behind a red star, designed to resemble the star found on the landmark Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign.[171]

The team's primary color is steel gray, which is said to represent "strength and durability".[1][171] The other team colors are gold, red (found in the Las Vegas skyline and at Red Rock Canyon), and black (for "power and intensity").[1][172]

The first uniforms in Golden Knights team history were unveiled publicly on June 20, 2017. Home uniforms are steel gray with black, gold and red stripes, while road uniforms are white with steel gray, gold and red stripes. Shoulders feature the alternate swords logo.[173] On October 2, 2020, the Golden Knights introduced a gold alternate uniform, essentially a palette swap of the road uniforms with gold and white switching places.[174] On February 11, 2021, the Golden Knights debuted shiny gold helmets as an alternate to their home gray helmets.[175] Starting with the 2022–23 season, the gold uniforms became the primary, while the gray uniforms became the alternate.[176]

The Golden Knights also released a special "Reverse Retro" alternate uniform. Because the Golden Knights did not have a long NHL history to draw from, their retro design was inspired in part by Manon Rhéaume, the first female NHL player, who played for the now-defunct International Hockey League's Las Vegas Thunder. The uniform employs a red base and features the "crossing swords" logo in front.[177] Their second "Reverse Retro" uniform was a faux-back design from 1995, featuring a black base and a diagonal "VEGAS" wordmark inspired by various vintage hotels in the strip. The wordmark also has a glow-in-the-dark feature when shown in a dark background.[178]

Two ice hockey players, a skater and a goaltender, in off-white jerseys with a grey "V" crest, gold shoulders/stripes, and grey equipment. Both are wearing off-white, grey, and gold toques. The skaters has his back to the camera, while the goaltender faces it.
Jiri Patera (left) and Dysin Mayo (right) wearing the Golden Knights' faux-back uniforms prior to the 2024 NHL Winter Classic.

For the 2024 NHL Winter Classic, the Golden Knights wore faux-back 1917 vintage white uniforms with heritage gold stripes, gray pants and helmets. The crest is a stylized gray "V" with petal accents and gold trim.[179] Prior to its official unveiling on November 22, 2023, the uniform was accidentally leaked to the public four days earlier during an All Elite Wrestling event, with AEW host Renee Paquette wearing the uniform during the Full Gear pay-per-view.[180]

Name

The team's name includes "Knights" as a homage to the Black Knights of the United States Military Academy, Foley's alma mater, and because knights were, according to Foley, "the epitome of the warrior class".[170][181] Foley had hoped to name his team the Black Knights, but dropped that plan after encountering resistance from federal officials. Foley was unable to call the team the "Vegas Knights" because the London Knights owned the "Knights" name in Canada.[181][182][183]

"Golden" was included in the name because gold is, as Foley stated, the "No. 1 precious metal", and because Nevada is the largest gold-producing state in the country.[171][181] "Las" was omitted from the team's name because, according to Foley, residents tend to refer to the city simply as "Vegas", and because a four-word name would have been too long.[171][2]

The United States Army opposed the team's trademark registration because their exhibition parachute team uses the same nickname;[184] they dropped their opposition after negotiating a trademark coexistence agreement with the team.[185] An objection was also raised by the College of Saint Rose because its sports teams use the same name; the Vegas team's initial trademark application was denied as a result, but was later approved on appeal.[186] The team did clear the name with Clarkson University, which also uses the name Golden Knights.[187]

Mascot

A humanoid Gila Monster with a bumpy yellow head and wide smile.
The team's mascot is a Gila monster named Chance.

The Golden Knights' mascot is a Gila monster named Chance. He was unveiled at the team's second home game on October 13, 2017.[188][189] The team opted against using a knight for a mascot because it found that knight mascots used by other teams were not very child-friendly.[190] However, the team's pre-game show often includes a skating knight.[191]

Team information

Broadcasting

Television

The Golden Knights' designated television market includes Nevada, Idaho, Montana, and Arizona, and formerly included Utah and Wyoming. In May 2023, amid plans by Warner Bros. Discovery to exit the RSN business, the Golden Knights announced an agreement with the E.W. Scripps Company and its newly established Scripps Sports division, under a multi-year deal beginning in the 2023–24 NHL season. Scripps' Laughlin station KMCC will serve as flagship station of the Golden Knights' television network. KMCC is a sister station to Las Vegas ABC affiliate KTNV-TV, which may also air selected Golden Knights games by virtue of the NHL's broadcast television rights with ABC, and has previously aired simulcasts of Golden Knights preseason games with ATTSN.[192][193] The Golden Knights also launched an in-market streaming service, KnightTime+, to carry the games. The service costs $69.99 a season or $6.99 a game.[194]

Outside of Las Vegas, the Golden Knights' regional television network includes other Scripps stations, outside one station in Reno;[194]

From its inaugural season through 2022–23, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (ATTSN) was the regional television rightsholder for all Golden Knights games not broadcast exclusively by the NHL's national television partners.[198][199][200] Golden Knights games on KMCC, and formerly on ATTSN, are called by former Boston Bruins radio announcer Dave Goucher on play-by-play, and Shane Hnidy, who previously worked color for the Winnipeg Jets on TSN.[201]

Radio

The team has a three-year radio deal with Lotus Broadcasting.[202] Lotus airs the team's games on its Fox Sports Radio affiliate, KKGK 1340/98.9.[202] KKGK fronts a network of nine stations across Nevada, California, Arizona, and Utah.[203]

One game a week is also aired on KENO 1460, a Spanish-language sports radio station, making the team one of only three in the NHL to offer Spanish-language broadcasts.[204]

Minor league affiliates

On May 16, 2017, the Golden Knights entered a multi-year affiliation agreement with a minor league team, the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League. Like most NHL–AHL affiliation arrangements, the Golden Knights were able to transfer players to and from the Wolves.[34] Although the Wolves were the Golden Knights affiliate, the two teams do not share the same ownership. In addition to the Wolves, the Golden Knights were affiliated with the Quad City Mallards of the ECHL for the 2017–18 season,[35] however, the Mallards ceased operations after the one season.[205]

On August 21, 2018, the Golden Knights entered a one-year affiliation agreement with the Fort Wayne Komets of the ECHL for the 2018–19 season.[206]

On February 6, 2020, Spurs Sports & Entertainment announced the sale of the San Antonio Rampage franchise to the Golden Knights organization. It was later announced on February 28, that the Rampage franchise was approved to relocate to the Henderson/Las Vegas area by the AHL. On May 28, the name of the relocated franchise was revealed to be the Henderson Silver Knights, mimicking the logo style and aura of their parent club. The shield-shaped logo features a silver-colored Destrier, with eyes that are the same color gold used in the logo for the Golden Knights.[207] The Silver Knights began play in the 2020–21 season at Orleans Arena, while Dollar Loan Center was under construction.[208]

On May 19, 2022, the Golden Knights announced a one-year affiliation agreement with the expansion Savannah Ghost Pirates of the ECHL, through the 2022–23 season.[209]

On July 16, 2024, the Golden Knights announced a multi-year affiliation agreement with the expansion Tahoe Knight Monsters of the ECHL, resulting in Nevada hosting both of the franchise's minor-league affiliates.[210][211]

Season-by-season record

This is a partial list of the last five seasons completed by the Golden Knights. For the full season-by-season history, see List of Vegas Golden Knights seasons.

GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime Losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against

Season GP W L OTL Pts GF GA Finish Playoffs
2019–20 71 39 24 8 86 227 211 1st, Pacific Lost in conference finals, 1–4 (Stars)
2020–21 56 40 14 2 82 191 124 2nd, West Lost in Stanley Cup semifinals, 2–4 (Canadiens)
2021–22 82 43 31 8 94 266 248 4th, Pacific Did not qualify
2022–23 82 51 22 9 111 272 229 1st, Pacific Stanley Cup champions, 4–1 (Panthers)
2023–24 82 45 29 8 98 267 245 4th, Pacific Lost in first round, 3–4 (Stars)

Players and personnel

Current roster

Updated November 19, 2024[212][213]

No. Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace
49 Russia Ivan Barbashev C L 28 2023 Moscow, Russia
68 United States Callahan Burke RW R 27 2024 Boxborough, Massachusetts
16 Russia Pavel Dorofeyev C L 24 2019 Nizhny Tagil, Russia
9 United States Jack Eichel (A) C R 28 2021 North Chelmsford, Massachusetts
14 Canada Nicolas Hague Injured Reserve D L 25 2017 Kitchener, Ontario
15 United States Noah Hanifin D L 27 2024 Boston, Massachusetts
48 Czech Republic Tomas Hertl C L 31 2024 Prague, Czech Republic
33 Canada Adin Hill G L 28 2022 Comox, British Columbia
26 Sweden Alexander Holtz F L 22 2024 Saltsjö-Boo, Sweden
21 Canada Brett Howden C L 26 2021 Oakbank, Manitoba
17 Canada Ben Hutton Injured Reserve D L 31 2021 Brockville, Ontario
71 Sweden William Karlsson (A) C L 30 2017 Märsta, Sweden
55 Canada Keegan Kolesar RW R 27 2017 Brandon, Manitoba
6 Canada Kaedan Korczak D R 23 2019 Yorkton, Saskatchewan
3 Canada Brayden McNabb D L 33 2017 Davidson, Saskatchewan
11 United States Mason Morelli C L 28 2023 Minot, North Dakota
70 Canada Tanner Pearson LW L 32 2024 Kitchener, Ontario
7 Canada Alex Pietrangelo (A) D R 34 2020 King City, Ontario
46 Denmark Jonas Rondbjerg RW L 25 2017 Hørsholm, Denmark
10 Canada Nicolas Roy RW R 27 2019 Amos, Quebec
35 Russia Ilya Samsonov G L 27 2024 Magnitogorsk, Russia
22 Canada Cole Schwindt C R 23 2024 Breslau, Ontario
61 Canada Mark Stone (CInjured Reserve RW R 32 2019 Winnipeg, Manitoba
27 Canada Shea Theodore D L 29 2017 Langley, British Columbia
2 Canada Zach Whitecloud D R 27 2018 Brandon, Manitoba


Team captains

Mark Stone was named the Golden Knights' first captain in 2021.

Head coaches

General managers

Other personnel

Team and league honors

Awards and trophies

Stanley Cup

Clarence S. Campbell Bowl

Conn Smythe Trophy

Jack Adams Award

Lady Byng Memorial Trophy

Mark Messier Leadership Award

NHL General Manager of the Year Award

Vezina Trophy

William M. Jennings Trophy

NHL Second All-Star Team

First-round draft picks

Retired numbers

The number 58 was retired by the team on March 31, 2018, in honor of the 58 victims killed in the October 2017 Las Vegas shooting.[218]

The team is also not able to issue the jersey number 99 to any of its players as it was retired league-wide in honor of Wayne Gretzky at the 2000 NHL All-Star Game.[219]

Statistics and records

Regular season scoring leaders

Forward Jonathan Marchessault during a game in February 2018.
Jonathan Marchessault leads the franchise all-time in games played, goals, assists and points.

These are the top-ten point-scorers in franchise history.[220][221] Figures are updated after each completed NHL regular season.

  •  *  – current Golden Knights player

Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games Played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; P/G = Points per game

Individual records

Source:[221][222][223][224]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Introducing the Vegas Golden Knights". VegasGoldenKnights.com. NHL Enterprises, L.P. November 22, 2016. Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved November 23, 2016. The team's colors – steel grey, gold, red and black – reflect the community and the focus of the team:...
  2. ^ a b Kimelman, Adam (November 22, 2016). "Vegas Golden Knights official team name". NHL.com. NHL Enterprises, L.P. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
  3. ^ "Our Team". VegasGoldenKnights.com. NHL Enterprises, L.P. Archived from the original on September 5, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  4. ^ Ewing, Mark (July 16, 2017). "Bill Foley And The National Hockey League's Newest Franchise, The Vegas Golden Knights". Forbes. Archived from the original on June 18, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  5. ^ "Bill Foley Announces Formation Of The "Foley Entertainment Group"". www.nhl.com. NHL Enterprise. July 1, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  6. ^ a b "Some Maloof siblings sell stake in VGK to Foley". Sports Business Journal. January 12, 2024. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Vegas Golden Knights". Archived from the original on August 30, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  8. ^ "2009 NHL Awards heads to Las Vegas for first time". NHL.com. NHL Enterprises. March 13, 2009. Archived from the original on August 2, 2017. Retrieved March 14, 2009.
  9. ^ "Hollywood aspirations for NHL". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. Archived from the original on April 14, 2016. Retrieved September 17, 2017.
  10. ^ Mitanis, Marcus (February 19, 2016). "T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas to Open Spring 2016". Skyrisecities. Archived from the original on July 30, 2017. Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  11. ^ Brewer, Ray (August 27, 2014). "NHL says no credibility to report of Las Vegas expansion team". Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on August 30, 2014. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
  12. ^ "NHL denies expansion report, including a second team in Toronto". Toronto Star. August 27, 2014. Archived from the original on August 28, 2014. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
  13. ^ "Gallagher: Bettman has changed his tune on NHL expansion". The Province. Archived from the original on August 28, 2014. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
  14. ^ Kosman, Josh; Brooks, Larry (November 12, 2014). "NHL picks owners for likely Vegas team". New York Post. Archived from the original on November 13, 2014. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  15. ^ "Maloof family joins effort to land Las Vegas NHL team". Las Vegas Review-Journal. November 12, 2014. Archived from the original on September 8, 2017. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  16. ^ "NHL gets serious about Las Vegas; can Canadiens redefine themselves?". Sports Illustrated. December 9, 2014. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  17. ^ "NHL allows Las Vegas to explore expansion interest". The Canadian Press. Archived from the original on December 9, 2014. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  18. ^ a b Snellas, Alan (February 12, 2015). "NHL ticket drive already halfway to goal". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on September 8, 2017. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  19. ^ Snellas, Alan (April 11, 2015). "Businessman behind NHL drive has blue-jeans, relaxed approach". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on July 7, 2015. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  20. ^ Johnston, Chris (June 24, 2015). "NHL to announce opening of expansion process". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  21. ^ a b "N.H.L. Receives Expansion Bids From Las Vegas and Quebec City". New York Times. July 21, 2015. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  22. ^ McLaren, Ian (August 5, 2015). "Las Vegas group invited to participate in Phase 2 of NHL expansion application process – NHL on The Score – Scores, standings, news, leaders". TheScore.com. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
  23. ^ Gretz, Adam (August 21, 2015). "Quebec City, Las Vegas move on to third phase of expansion process". CBS Sports. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  24. ^ Carp, Steve (June 22, 2016). "Las Vegas awarded NHL expansion team". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on September 8, 2017. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  25. ^ Rosen, Dan (June 22, 2016). "Las Vegas awarded NHL franchise". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on December 2, 2020. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  26. ^ Klein, Cutler (June 22, 2016). "From six teams to 31: History of NHL expansion". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on August 27, 2016. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  27. ^ Heitner, Darren (June 22, 2016). "The NHL Leads the Way in Bringing Pro Sports to Las Vegas". Inc.com. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
  28. ^ "McPhee named GM of Las Vegas expansion team". July 13, 2016. Archived from the original on July 14, 2016. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
  29. ^ "Vegas Golden Knights reveal name, logo". NHL.com. November 22, 2016. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  30. ^ Carp, Steve (March 1, 2017). "Golden Knights make final payment to NHL ahead of trade deadline". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on November 22, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  31. ^ "Golden Knights Sign Reid Duke To Entry-Level Contract". National Hockey League. March 6, 2017. Archived from the original on September 9, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
  32. ^ "Reid Duke becomes Vegas Golden Knights' first signing: Three odd facts to know". CBSSports.com. Archived from the original on March 7, 2017. Retrieved March 6, 2017.
  33. ^ a b "Golden Knights Name Gerard Gallant Head Coach". National Hockey League. April 13, 2017. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved April 13, 2017.
  34. ^ a b Carp, Steve (May 16, 2017). "Golden Knights' AHL affiliate to be Chicago Wolves". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on October 1, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  35. ^ a b Gotz, Ben (June 1, 2017). "Golden Knights form partnership with ECHL's Mallards". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on October 1, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  36. ^ DeLuca, Dave (June 22, 2017). "NHL Expansion Draft: Results, picks for first Vegas Golden Knights roster". The Sporting News. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  37. ^ Lawless, Gary; Evans, Pat (June 18, 2018). "A Look Back At The Golden Knights Expansion Draft". NHL.com. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  38. ^ Kimelman, Adam (June 23, 2017). "Cody Glass first pick made by Golden Knights". NHL.com. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  39. ^ Shapiro, Sean. "Neal, Fleury help Golden Knights win first game, defeat Stars". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on October 7, 2017. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
  40. ^ "Golden Knights opt for #VegasStrong on boards over ads in home opener". National Hockey League. October 10, 2017. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
  41. ^ Tucker, Cam (October 9, 2017). "Golden Knights win emotional, historic home opener". NBCSports.com. Archived from the original on October 11, 2017. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
  42. ^ "Golden Knights strike balance between respect, celebration in opener". Sportsnet.ca. Archived from the original on October 11, 2017. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
  43. ^ "Vegas Golden Knights make history with big win in emotional home opener". USA Today. October 11, 2017. Archived from the original on October 12, 2017. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
  44. ^ Kreda, Allan (October 30, 2017). "Next Challenge for the Golden Knights: A Long Eastern Road Trip". New York Times. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  45. ^ "Vegas Golden Knights goaltenders just can't stop getting injured". CBS Sports. October 31, 2017. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
  46. ^ Lawless, Gary (November 9, 2017). "Ship Sailing Back To Russia". NHL.com. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  47. ^ Compton, Brian (October 30, 2017). "Tavares helps Islanders end Golden Knights winning streak". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
  48. ^ "Golden Knights enter the record books again after overtime win". Yahoo Sports. December 29, 2017. Archived from the original on December 29, 2017. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  49. ^ "Are the Vegas Golden Knights the best expansion franchise ever?". ESPN. January 5, 2018. Archived from the original on January 6, 2018. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  50. ^ "Golden Knights set expansion team record for wins in debut season". ESPN. February 2, 2018. Archived from the original on February 2, 2018. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  51. ^ "Tuch gets tiebreaker in 2nd, Golden Knights beat Flames 7–3". ESPN. February 21, 2018. Archived from the original on February 22, 2018. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  52. ^ Kaplan, Emily (March 27, 2018). "Vegas first to clinch playoff berth in inaugural season since '79–80". ESPN. Archived from the original on March 27, 2018. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  53. ^ Schoen, David (March 31, 2018). "Golden Knights win, 3–2, clinch Pacific Division title". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on April 5, 2018. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
  54. ^ Mark Anderson Las Vegas Review-Journal (September 19, 2020). "Golden Knights' successful start historic even beyond NHL". Archived from the original on July 14, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  55. ^ McGrath, Ben (May 29, 2018). "The Pure Delight of the Vegas Golden Knights, the Most Successful Expansion Team Ever". The New Yorker. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  56. ^ "Vegas Golden Knights: The Most Successful Expansion Team in NHL History". BSA. June 8, 2018. Archived from the original on June 27, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  57. ^ "What the Golden Knights' success tells us about the NHL". ProHockeyTalk. NBC Sports. May 21, 2018. Archived from the original on July 14, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  58. ^ LeBrun, Pierre (May 30, 2018). "LeBrun: The origin of the 'Golden Misfits' nickname and the group chat that stoked Vegas' special bond". The Athletic. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  59. ^ Webster, Danny (April 12, 2018). "Golden Knights shut out Kings in first playoff game". NHL.com. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  60. ^ Harris, Beth (April 18, 2018). "Golden Knights make history by sweeping Kings". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on April 18, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  61. ^ Dubow, Josh (May 7, 2018). "Vegas Golden Knights cash Round 3 ticket". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on May 8, 2018. Retrieved May 7, 2018. Vegas become just the third team in NHL history to win multiple series in its first season.
  62. ^ "Golden Knights advance to Stanley Cup Final, eliminate Jets in Game 5". National Hockey League. May 20, 2018. Archived from the original on March 6, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  63. ^ "Capitals capture 1st Stanley Cup with 4–3 win over Golden Knights". abc7.com. June 7, 2018. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  64. ^ "Golden Knights Acquire Max Pacioretty From The Montreal Canadiens". NHL.com. September 10, 2018. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
  65. ^ "Vegas Golden Knights Sign Forward Paul Stastny". NHL.com. July 1, 2018. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
  66. ^ "FLAMES SIGN JAMES NEAL". nhl.com. July 2, 2018. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
  67. ^ "Blues sign Perron to four-year deal". NHL.com. July 1, 2018. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
  68. ^ "Vegas Golden Knights Acquire Mark Stone From The Ottawa Senators". NHL.com. February 25, 2019. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  69. ^ "VGK Sign Forward Mark Stone To Eight-Year Contract Extension". NHL.com. March 8, 2019. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  70. ^ a b Satriano, David (April 23, 2019). "Sharks rally for OT win against Golden Knights in Game 7". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on September 24, 2022. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
  71. ^ Schrock, Josh (April 25, 2019). "NHL apologizes to Vegas for bad penalty call in Game 7 loss to Sharks". NBC Sports. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  72. ^ a b "Kelly McCrimmon named General Manager of the Vegas Golden Knights". National Hockey League. May 2, 2019. Archived from the original on May 16, 2019. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
  73. ^ "Haula traded to Hurricanes by Golden Knights". nhl.com. June 27, 2019.
  74. ^ "Miller traded to Sabres by Golden Knights". nhl.com. June 28, 2019.
  75. ^ "Gusev traded to Devils by Golden Knights". nhl.com. July 29, 2019.
  76. ^ "Stephenson traded to Golden Knights by Capitals". nhl.com. December 2, 2019.
  77. ^ a b c "Golden Knights fire coach Gerard Gallant, hire Peter DeBoer". Sports Net. January 15, 2020. Archived from the original on January 15, 2020. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
  78. ^ Battaglino, Mike (February 19, 2020). "Martinez traded to Golden Knights by Kings for two draft picks". nhl.com.
  79. ^ a b c "Lehner traded to Golden Knights, Blackhawks get Subban". nhl.com. February 24, 2020.
  80. ^ "Eakin traded to Jets by Golden Knights for draft pick". nhl.com. February 21, 2020.
  81. ^ "NHL statement on coronavirus". NHL.com. March 12, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  82. ^ a b Gulitti, Tom (May 26, 2020). "NHL plans to return with 24 teams competing for Stanley Cup". NHL.com. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  83. ^ Gretz, Adam (August 9, 2020). "NHL Return to Play: Final Round-robin standings". NBC Sports. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  84. ^ Morreale, Mike G. (August 18, 2020). "Golden Knights top Blackhawks in Game 5, win Western First Round series". NHL.com. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  85. ^ "Golden Knights outlast Canucks in Game 7, advance to Conference Final". Sportsnet. September 4, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  86. ^ Satriano, David (September 15, 2020). "Stars defeat Golden Knights in OT in Game 5, reach Stanley Cup Final". NHL.com. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  87. ^ a b Cotsonika, Nicholas J. (January 13, 2021). "Stone named first captain of Golden Knights". National Hockey League. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  88. ^ Emerson, Justin (December 22, 2020). "Golden Knights leader Deryk Engelland retires from hockey". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved June 23, 2023. One of the original Golden Knights, the unofficial captain of the team's miracle run to the Stanley Cup Final and a Las Vegas local has called it a career.
  89. ^ "Golden Knights Sign Defenseman Alex Pietrangelo To Seven-Year Contract". Vegas Golden Knights. October 12, 2020.
  90. ^ "Stastny traded to Jets by Golden Knights". nhl.com. October 9, 2020.
  91. ^ "Schmidt traded to Canucks by Golden Knights for draft pick". nhl.com. October 12, 2020.
  92. ^ "NHL teams in new divisions for 2020-21 season". NHL.com. December 20, 2020. Archived from the original on December 23, 2020. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  93. ^ "Colorado Avalanche clinch Presidents' Trophy, West Division title". SportsNet.ca. May 13, 2021.
  94. ^ Webster, Danny (May 29, 2023). "Golden Knights defeat Wild in Game 7, advance to Stanley Cup Second Round". NHL.com. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  95. ^ "Janmark traded to Golden Knights by Blackhawks in three-team deal". nhl.com. April 12, 2021.
  96. ^ Webster, Danny (June 11, 2021). "Golden Knights eliminate Avalanche with Game 6 victory". NHL.com. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  97. ^ Brehm, Mike (June 25, 2021). "Canadiens defeat Golden Knights in overtime in Game 6, reach first Stanley Cup Final since 1993". USA Today. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  98. ^ Campbell, Tim (June 29, 2021). "Fleury of Golden Knights wins Vezina Trophy as best goalie in NHL". NHL.com. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  99. ^ Marron, Brandon (July 17, 2021). "Ellis goes to Flyers, Patrick reportedly to Golden Knights in 3-team trade". thescore.com.
  100. ^ "Rangers acquire Goodrow from Lightning, trade Howden to Golden Knights". nhl.com. July 17, 2021.
  101. ^ "Reaves traded to Rangers by Golden Knights". nhl.com. July 29, 2021.
  102. ^ "Fleury traded to Blackhawks by Golden Knights". nhl.com. July 27, 2021.
  103. ^ "Assessing the flurry of cost-cutting moves by Golden Knights". Las Vegas Review-Journal. August 5, 2022. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
  104. ^ "Dadonov traded to Golden Knights by Senators". nhl.com. July 28, 2021.
  105. ^ "Vegas Golden Knights Announce Roster Transactions". Vegas Golden Knights. July 28, 2021.
  106. ^ "Vegas Golden Knights Acquire Forward Jack Eichel from the Buffalo Sabres". NHL.com. November 4, 2021. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  107. ^ a b Cotsonika, Nicholas J. (April 28, 2022). "Golden Knights eliminated from playoff contention; injuries costly". NHL.com. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  108. ^ Granger, Jesse (April 28, 2022). "Golden Knights miss the playoffs for the first time: What went wrong and how can they fix it?". The Athletic. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  109. ^ "Vegas Golden Knights Sign Defenseman Ben Hutton To One-Year Contract". Vegas Golden Knights. October 28, 2021.
  110. ^ "Vegas Golden Knights Claim Forward Michael Amadio Off Waivers". Vegas Golden Knights. October 30, 2021.
  111. ^ "Vegas Golden Knights Claim Forward Adam Brooks Off Waivers". Vegas Golden Knights. November 17, 2021.
  112. ^ "Vegas Golden Knights Sign Defenseman Derrick Pouliot to One-Year Contract". Vegas Golden Knights. March 17, 2022.
  113. ^ "Dadonov Trade Canceled". media.nhl.com. March 23, 2022. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  114. ^ a b "Vegas Golden Knights Announce Changes To Coaching Staff". NHL.com. May 16, 2022. Archived from the original on August 12, 2022. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  115. ^ a b "Vegas Golden Knights Name Bruce Cassidy as Team's Head Coach". NHL.com. June 14, 2022. Archived from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  116. ^ "Pacioretty traded to Hurricanes by Golden Knights". nhl.com. July 13, 2022.
  117. ^ "The Canadiens trade Shea Weber to Vegas in exchange for Evgenii Dadonov". NHL.com. June 16, 2022. Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  118. ^ "Vegas Golden Knights Sign Forward Phil Kessel to One-Year Contract". NHL.com. August 24, 2022. Archived from the original on August 25, 2022. Retrieved August 24, 2022.
  119. ^ Webster, Danny (August 11, 2022). "Golden Knights' Lehner to have hip surgery, miss next season". Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on August 26, 2022. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  120. ^ MacIntyre, Iain (June 2, 2023). "How journeyman Adin Hill soared from fourth-stringer to Stanley Cup Final starter". Sportsnet. Archived from the original on June 6, 2023. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  121. ^ Myers, Tracey (August 25, 2022). "Thompson expected to start season as Golden Knights' No. 1 goalie". NHL.com. Archived from the original on October 13, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  122. ^ "VGK Acquire Goaltender Adin Hill From the San Jose Sharks". NHL.com. August 29, 2022. Archived from the original on August 30, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  123. ^ Merz, Craig (November 28, 2022). "Golden Knights outlast Blue Jackets in seven-round shootout". NHL.com. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  124. ^ Gorman, Denis P. (January 28, 2023). "Varlamov, Islanders defeat Golden Knights in OT". NHL.com. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  125. ^ a b "Golden Knights overcome goalie injuries to lead West". Sportsnet. March 29, 2023. Archived from the original on June 12, 2023. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  126. ^ Gotz, Ben (June 17, 2023). "Family affair: Knights celebrate Cup with kids, parents, loved ones". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved June 28, 2023. The fathers' trip after the All-Star break was one of the turning points of the season. The Knights' 2-0 swing to Minnesota and Nashville kicked off a 22-4-5 closing stretch that earned the team the top seed in the Western Conference.
  127. ^ Granger, Jesse (June 15, 2023). "The Stanley Cup is difficult to win — so how did the Golden Knights make it look easy?". The Athletic. Retrieved June 28, 2023. After the All-Star break, the Golden Knights went 22-4-5 to win the Pacific Division and the Western Conference.
  128. ^ "Vegas Golden Knights Acquire Barbashev from Blues". nhl.com. February 26, 2023. Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  129. ^ "Blueger traded to Golden Knights by Penguins". nhl.com. March 1, 2023. Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  130. ^ "Quick traded to Golden Knights day after being acquired by Blue Jackets". nhl.com. March 2, 2023. Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  131. ^ Gotz, Ben (March 12, 2023). "3 takeaways from Golden Knights' win: 2 rookies get NHL firsts". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  132. ^ "Golden Knights clinch playoff berth with Predators loss to Penguins". NHL.com. March 30, 2023. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  133. ^ Delos Santos, Paul (April 14, 2023). "Golden Knights defeat Kraken, win Pacific Division, Western Conference". NHL.com. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  134. ^ Delos Santos, Paul (April 18, 2023). "Wheeler, Jets defeat Golden Knights in Game 1 of Western 1st Round". NHL.com. NHL Enterprises, L. P. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  135. ^ Delos Santos, Paul (April 27, 2023). "Golden Knights defeat Jets in Game 5, win Western 1st-Round series". NHL.com. NHL Enterprises, L. P. Archived from the original on April 28, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  136. ^ Moddejonge, Gerry (May 14, 2023). "Marchessault hat trick helps Golden Knights eliminate Oilers in Game 6". NHL.com. NHL Enterprises, L. P. Archived from the original on May 15, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  137. ^ Moddejonge, Gerry (May 8, 2023). "Golden Knights defeat Oilers in Game 3, take lead in Western 2nd Round". NHL.com. NHL Enterprises, L. P. Archived from the original on May 9, 2023. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  138. ^ a b Baird, Taylor (May 29, 2023). "Golden Knights shut out Stars in Game 6, advance to Stanley Cup Final". NHL.com. NHL Enterprises, L. P. Archived from the original on May 30, 2023. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  139. ^ Delos Santos, Paul (May 27, 2023). "Stars avoid elimination again, defeat Golden Knights in Game 5". NHL.com. NHL Enterprises, L. P. Archived from the original on May 28, 2023. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  140. ^ Rosen, Dan (June 13, 2023). "Golden Knights win Stanley Cup with Game 5 victory against Panthers". NHL.com. NHL Enterprises, L. P. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  141. ^ Santoro, Joe (June 6, 2023). "Santoro: A Knights' win would be state's biggest". Nevada Appeal. Archived from the original on June 6, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  142. ^ Clark, Ryan S. (June 13, 2023). "Knights' Jonathan Marchessault wins Conn Smythe as playoff MVP". ESPN. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  143. ^ Cotsonika, Nicholas (June 14, 2023). "Vegas backs up owner's 'silly statement' by winning Cup within 6 seasons". NHL.com. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  144. ^ Butler, Alex (June 14, 2023). "Golden Knights become fastest NHL expansion team to win Stanley Cup". UPI. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  145. ^ Granger, Jesse (May 13, 2024). "Golden Knights offseason roster primer: Who stays, who goes?". The Athletic. Retrieved May 13, 2024. Following their Stanley Cup win, the team had only a few contracts expire, which meant almost no roster turnover before the 2023-24 season... Vegas essentially ran it back with the same team.
  146. ^ "Barbashev signs 5-year, $25 million contract to stay with Golden Knights". NHL.com. June 28, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  147. ^ "Hill signs 2-year, $9.8 million contract to remain with Golden Knights". NHL.com. June 30, 2023. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  148. ^ "VGK Sign Defenseman Brayden Pachal to Two-Year Contract Extension". NHL.com. June 28, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  149. ^ "Smith traded to Penguins from Golden Knights". NHL.com. June 28, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  150. ^ Delos Santos, Paul (November 5, 2023). "Golden Knights shut out Avalanche to extend point streak to 12". NHL.com. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  151. ^ Miles, Bruce (October 22, 2023). "Golden Knights overcome Bedard goal, top Blackhawks to stay undefeated". nhl.com. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  152. ^ Ramirez, W.G. (January 7, 2024). "Eichel, Roy each score twice, Golden Knights top Islanders 5-2". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  153. ^ Goldman, Chelena (February 19, 2024). "Morelli has 2 points in NHL debut, Golden Knights shut out Sharks". NHL.com. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  154. ^ Hill, Adam (January 14, 2024). "First-round pick to make debut with Golden Knights on Monday". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  155. ^ Lawless, Gary (January 21, 2024). "Lawless: Assessing the Injuries". NHL.com. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  156. ^ Baker, Geoff (January 1, 2023). "Kraken's Joey Daccord shines in shutout win over Vegas in NHL Winter Classic at T-Mobile Park". The Seattle Times. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  157. ^ Rosner, Stefen (January 23, 2024). "Golden Knights hand Islanders 1st loss under Roy". NHL.com. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  158. ^ Robinson, Alan (February 9, 2024). "Golden Knights score 3 in 1st period, hold off Coyotes". NHL.com. Retrieved May 13, 2024. ...the Golden Knights (31-15-6), who have won seven of their past nine (7-1-1)
  159. ^ "Flames Claim Brayden Pachal". Calgary Flames. February 4, 2024.
  160. ^ Ramirez, W.G. (February 12, 2024). "Golden Knights honor Alex Pietrangelo for playing in his 1,000th game". Associated Press. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  161. ^ Delos Santos, Paul (March 8, 2024). "Canucks hand slumping Golden Knights another loss". NHL.com. Retrieved May 13, 2024. ...Vegas (33-23-7), which is 2-8-1 in its past 11 games.
  162. ^ Bourne, Justin (March 15, 2024). "Can Golden Knights avoid disastrous playoff miss?". Sportsnet. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  163. ^ "Hanifin traded to Golden Knights by Flames for draft picks, Miromanov". NHL.com. March 6, 2024.
  164. ^ "Hertl traded to Golden Knights by Sharks for Edstrom, 1st-round pick". nhl.com. March 8, 2024.
  165. ^ "Mantha traded to Golden Knights by Capitals for 2 draft picks". March 5, 2024. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
  166. ^ "Hanifin signs 8-year, $58.8 million contract with Golden Knights". NHL.com. April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  167. ^ Delos Santos, Paul (April 3, 2024). "Golden Knights score 4 in 1st, defeat Canucks to extend point streak to 7". NHL.com. Retrieved May 13, 2024. ...Vegas (42-25-8), which extended its point streak to seven games (6-0-1).
  168. ^ Delos Santos, Paul (April 12, 2024). "Golden Knights ease past Wild, clinch final playoff berth in West". NHL.com. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  169. ^ Delos Santos, Paul (May 6, 2024). "Golden Knights eliminated from playoffs after failing to capitalize at home". NHL.com. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  170. ^ a b Prewitt, Alex (January 9, 2017). "All In: Behind the scenes with the Golden Knights, Vegas's first major league franchise". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on January 26, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  171. ^ a b c d e Keefer, Case (November 23, 2016). "How Bill Foley and his staff picked Vegas Golden Knights as NHL team name". Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on October 1, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  172. ^ Cotsonika, Nicholas J. (November 22, 2016). "No more worries, for now, for Vegas Golden Knights". VegasGoldenKnights.com. NHL Enterprises, L.P. Retrieved July 1, 2024. On the video screen behind him was the logo, a helmet with an opening in the shape of a 'V' for Vegas, and the colors: steel gray for strength and durability; gold for the precious metal found in Nevada; red for the Vegas skyline, desert and canyons, also symbolic of the readiness to serve; and black for power and intensity, according to the team.
  173. ^ Cotsonika, Nicholas (June 20, 2017). "Golden Knights 'now part of the League' with uniform unveiled". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on April 18, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  174. ^ Webster, Danny (October 2, 2020). "Golden Knights unveil sparkling all-metallic third jersey". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  175. ^ O'Leary, Dan (February 12, 2021). "Golden Knights debut super shiny gold helmets". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on February 17, 2021. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
  176. ^ "VGK Announce Gold Jerseys as Home Jersey & Theme Knights for 22–23 Season" (Press release). Vegas Golden Knights. September 20, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  177. ^ "Reverse Retro alternate jerseys for all 31 teams unveiled by NHL, adidas". National Hockey League. December 1, 2020. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  178. ^ "NHL Reverse Retro jerseys for all 32 teams unveiled by adidas". NHL.com. October 20, 2022. Archived from the original on October 20, 2022. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  179. ^ "Winter Classic jerseys for Kraken, Golden Knights unveiled". NHL.com. November 22, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  180. ^ Hecken, Phil (November 18, 2023). "Looks Like the Vegas Winter Classic Jersey Has Leaked". Uni-Watch. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  181. ^ a b c Katsilometes, John (November 23, 2016). "Knight moves: Foley picks a precious metal and drops 'Las' in new name". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on October 1, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  182. ^ Payne, Marissa (December 1, 2016). "Despite U.S. Army's concerns, NHL expansion team's owner sticking by nickname choice". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on October 1, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  183. ^ Sadler, Emily (August 5, 2016). "Las Vegas' NHL name search complicated by London Knights". Sportsnet.ca. Sportsnet. Archived from the original on February 5, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
  184. ^ Brewer, Contessa (January 12, 2018). "US Army files complaint about the colors and team name of NHL's Vegas Golden Knights". CNBC. Archived from the original on January 12, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  185. ^ Hill, Adam (July 19, 2018). "Golden Knights, Army reach trademark coexistence agreement". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on July 27, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  186. ^ Carp, Steve (August 9, 2017). "Vegas Golden Knights get approval for name trademark". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on August 16, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  187. ^ Stevens, Matt (January 12, 2018). "Vegas Golden Knights, Named to Avoid Trademark Dispute, Face Trademark Dispute". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on January 25, 2018. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  188. ^ "Get To Know Chance, The Golden Knights New Mascot". National Hockey League. October 13, 2017. Archived from the original on February 1, 2018. Retrieved October 26, 2017.
  189. ^ "Vegas Golden Knights reveal Chance as team's mascot". Las Vegas Review-Journal. October 13, 2017. Archived from the original on October 15, 2017. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  190. ^ Granger, Jesse (October 20, 2017). "Golden Knights are looking for a standout fan experience at T-Mobile". Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
  191. ^ "Golden Knights pregame show, explained: Detailing the elaborate spectacle at T-Mobile Arena". Sporting News. May 19, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  192. ^ "VGK and Scripps Partner on Multi-Year Agreement to Air NHL Team's Games". NHL.com. May 4, 2023. Archived from the original on May 4, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  193. ^ Winslow, George (May 5, 2023). "Scripps Inks Multiyear Deal to Air Vegas Golden Knights NHL Games". TVTechnology. Archived from the original on May 5, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  194. ^ a b "How to Watch the Vegas Golden Knights". NHL.com. September 24, 2023. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  195. ^ "Vegas Golden Knights, fresh off winning Stanley Cup, bring annual bus tour through Bozeman". MontanaSports.com (MTSPX). August 24, 2023. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  196. ^ "VGK, Scripps Sports Announce Broadcasts in Phoenix, Tucson". NHL.com. September 26, 2024. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  197. ^ Cruz, Martha (September 26, 2024). "Puck drops in Phoenix: Golden Knights games to hit Arizona TV markets this season". News 3 Las Vegas. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  198. ^ "Golden Knights officially announce TV deal with Root Sports". Las Vegas Review-Journal. May 23, 2017. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  199. ^ "Root Sports to become official television home of the Vegas Golden Knights" (Press release). AT&T SportsNet. May 23, 2017. Retrieved September 19, 2017.
  200. ^ Granger, Jesse (May 22, 2017). "Root Sports to be TV home of Vegas Golden Knights". Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on October 4, 2017. Retrieved September 19, 2017.
  201. ^ "Golden Knights name first TV, radio broadcasters". Las Vegas Sun. August 15, 2017. Archived from the original on August 31, 2017. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
  202. ^ a b "Golden Knights, Lotus Broadcasting happy with partnership". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on August 17, 2017. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  203. ^ "Broadcast Affiliates". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on May 24, 2018. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
  204. ^ "By broadcasting select games in Spanish, Golden Knights aim to reach new demographic". Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on April 19, 2017. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  205. ^ Metcalf, Bobby (March 13, 2018). "Quad-City Mallards to cease operations at end of season". Quad City Times. Archived from the original on May 29, 2018. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  206. ^ "Fort Wayne Komets Named Golden Knights ECHL Affiliate". National Hockey League. August 21, 2018. Archived from the original on August 21, 2018. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  207. ^ Futrell, Ron (May 28, 2020). "It's Henderson Silver Knights!". KLAS. Archived from the original on May 13, 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  208. ^ "Vegas Golden Knights And City Of Henderson Issue AHL Update". NHL.com. May 13, 2021. Archived from the original on March 12, 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  209. ^ "VGK Announce ECHL Affiliation Relationship With Savannah Ghost Pirates". NHL.com. May 19, 2022. Archived from the original on May 19, 2022. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  210. ^ "Vegas Golden Knights Announce Multi-Year Affiliation Agreement with ECHL's Tahoe Knight Monsters". NHL.com. July 16, 2024. Archived from the original on July 17, 2024. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  211. ^ Gotz, Ben (July 16, 2024). "Knights get new ECHL affiliate owned by former Heisman Trophy winner". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on July 17, 2024. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  212. ^ "Vegas Golden Knights Roster". National Hockey League. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  213. ^ "Vegas Golden Knights - Transactions". CBS Sports. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  214. ^ "George McPhee named GM of Las Vegas expansion team". The Washington Post. July 13, 2016. Archived from the original on August 3, 2017. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  215. ^ 2017–18 Vegas Golden Knights Media Guide (PDF). Vegas Golden Knights. p. 6. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 8, 2017. Retrieved May 26, 2019.
  216. ^ Emerson, Justin (May 2, 2019). "McCrimmon named Golden Knights GM; McPhee staying as president of hockey ops". Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on May 26, 2019. Retrieved May 26, 2019.
  217. ^ a b Doherty, Kean (May 22, 2018). "How The Vegas Golden Knights Became The Best Story In Hockey". SportsBreak. Retrieved August 25, 2018.[permanent dead link]
  218. ^ Granger, Jesse (March 31, 2018). "Golden Knights retire jersey No. 58 to honor shooting victims". Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on April 1, 2018. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
  219. ^ "Perfect setting: Gretzky's number retired before All-Star Game". CNN Sports Illustrated. Associated Press. February 6, 2000. Archived from the original on November 12, 2013. Retrieved June 9, 2014.
  220. ^ "Vegas Golden Knights all-time player list". hockeydb.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  221. ^ a b "Vegas Golden Knights Skater Records". National Hockey League. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  222. ^ "Vegas Golden Knights Goaltender Records". National Hockey League. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  223. ^ "Vegas Golden Knights Playoff Skater Records". National Hockey League. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  224. ^ "Vegas Golden Knights Playoff Goaltender Records". National Hockey League. Retrieved June 23, 2023.