Rising Stars: How the Vegas Golden Knights young players are shaping up

Believe it or not, the Vegas Golden Knights have some young studs in their lineup. How are these players shaping up?

One shocking aspect of the Vegas Golden Knights this season has been how successful the younger players have been. Sitting atop the NHL hierarchy with a points percentage of .716 means one group can’t do it all. With a team that’s heavily invested in older two-way forwards such as Mark Stone and William Karlsson, the youth movement is a welcome surprise.

For example, nobody expected Brett Howden to score 15 goals halfway through the season. Yet here we are, seeing the 26-year-old get bumped to the second line. He’s on pace to score 33 goals in 2024-25, blowing past his previous career-high of… nine (2019-20 and 2021-22).

Looking like Justin Bieber isn’t his only talent for the Golden Knights. It’s also elevating his game alongside Keegan Kolesar, making the lower lines more viable. That’s how Howden got a new five-year contract extension worth $12.5 million, after all.

Being a speedy forward isn’t the only positive attribute for the Golden Knights, though. It’s also other young stars carrying the load for the team. It’s why they’re fourth in goals per game with 3.51. Jack Eichel isn’t the only superstar running the show, you know.

So here’s a toast to the New Year’s and enjoy more Golden Knights hockey. In the meantime, let’s examine how some young players are shaping up. Are they successful like Pavel Dorofeyev? Are they struggling like Alexander Holtz? Are some in the middle and are just there?

Nicolas Hague

So far, Nicolas Hague has had an interesting season. He sustained a lower-body injury against the Ottawa Senators on October 25. The 26-year-old has played 26 games, scoring two goals and two assists in 2024-25. However, his bread and butter isn’t from being an offensive juggernaut.

It comes from contributing to the defensive game, blocking shots (28) and laying out hits (35). Hague has been the prototypical defenseman for the Vegas Golden Knights, blocking shots and clogging lanes. He’s a bigger body (6’6″, 230 lbs) who can disrupt the play, creating turnovers along the way.

If that defensive game gets stronger throughout the season, the Golden Knights will reap the rewards. The blue line struggled to defend anybody this season, leaving scoring opportunities in front of the net. However, Hague can lead the charge, adding more meat to the defenseman group. That will be crucial for the Golden Knights to win their second Stanley Cup, especially with the goaltending unit improving.

Keegan Kolesar

Keegan Kolesar has been one of the most pleasant surprises for the Golden Knights this season. He scored nine goals (career-high), improving his overall offensive game. Like Brett Howden, Kolesar earned a nice contract extension (three years, $7.5 million) during the regular season.

Obviously, the physical side of Kolesar is helping the Golden Knights (109 hits, tied for 19th in the NHL). However, the 27-year-old continues to grow his game, becoming a more dynamic player in the lower units. As he enters his prime, he’ll become a more viable asset as a checking winger. That will help Vegas bring more toughness and grit, making them better as the game goes on.

Pavel Dorofeyev

What else is there to say about Pavel Dorofeyev? The Russian winger has 13 goals, on pace for 29 goals. He’s part of the wave of players shooting towards career-highs, becoming more dynamic with each passing game.

He’s also adding more meat to the power play, scoring five goals on the unit. The 24-year-old has developed a nasty shot, combining his excellent handles to create an offensive weapon. In turn, the Golden Knights have found their step on the power play, tied for seventh in the NHL (25%).

People were worried about who would replace Jonathan Marchessault’s production after he left for Nashville. While the “Original Misfit” is singing “Rocky Top” with the Tennessee Volunteers, the Golden Knights have some options. One might say Pavel Dorofeyev. Another might say Mark Stone. However, it’ll be a combination of these players leading the way, giving the team more offensive bite.