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Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2019-20 season was going to be known as "The Year of the Salary Cap Dance", for the Vegas Golden Knights. Since acquiring some big-ticket players (and contracts) the team found themselves up against the cap, going as far as selling off assets to become compliant. Even as the season began, two-way players were sent up and down, to manage the cap on off days.
Luckily for the team, some affordable players are now on their roster that play big roles. With free agency presenting new opportunities each summer, the team will have to be smart about where their money goes and how it’s allotted. In this article, there is a case made for three impending free agents, which will give the Golden Knights some talent, flexibility, cap relief, and longevity.
Chandler Stephenson (C/LW/RW):
Chandler Stephenson quickly opened some skeptical eyes (USA Today Sports)
Chandler Stephenson has been a Godsend since his arrival in Vegas. The versatile forward was traded to the Golden Knights on Dec. 3, for a lowly fifth-round draft pick and has provided that hypothetical value and then some. When the hypothetical offseason eventually rolls around, retaining the Restricted Free Agent’s rights should be at the top of General Manager Kelly McCrimmon’s to-do list.
Stephenson was a guy the team had their eye on for a while. Dating back to his days as the General Manager of the Washington Capitals, George McPhee knew the kind of impact Stephenson could have. His speed, ability to play all three forward positions, and his competence in all situations made him a perfect depth piece for the Golden Knights. When they eventually cut ties with Cody Eakin, a staple in their lineup since inception, it was clear that they had confidence in guys like Stephenson to ease the blow. It’s safe to say Stephenson’s play upon arrival may have sealed Eakin’s fate.
Don’t just take my word for Stephenson’s importance to the team. In the approximately four months since the trade, the Golden Knights sport a league-best Corsi For % (all situations) of 55.85% versus their ninth-ranked 51.39% B.S (before Stephenson). That’s just one stat, but below you’ll find many others that have been positively impacted by No. 20.
Point Percentage: 63.4% (6th NHL)
Goals For: 136 in 41 games played - 3.32 goals per game (6th NHL)
xGoals For %: 56.22% (1st NHL)
Scoring Chances For %: 57.19% (1st NHL)
High Danger Chances For %: 56.72% (1st NHL)
Stats courtesy of Natural Stat Trick
While not a point producer in the mold of Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty, Stephenson has shown scoring touch, a ton of speed, and a well-rounded game that benefits the Golden Knights at both ends. Prior to the trade, he posted a modest three goals and one assist in 24 games played. He’s topped those numbers – 8 goals, 14 assists, 22 points in 41 games - and clearly fits into the Golden Knights’ style of play.
His cap hit is miniscule - $1.05 million AAV - and while his production is important and very valuable across the league, it doesn’t typically translate into high dollar amounts. At just 26-years-old, Stephenson’s status as an RFA also plays into the team’s hand. Expect an affordable, bridge-type deal for Stephenson. Something around two years, $1.5 million AAV sounds doable. Together with Nic Roy and Cody Glass, the trio gives the Golden Knights some much-needed center depth in the bottom six. Not to mention another newcomer who should be brought back next season.
Nick Cousins (C/LW/RW):
Nick Cousins has plenty of experience and grit (USA Today Sports)
I know, I said “not to mention”, but it’s hard to ignore Nick Cousins. For a 26-years-old player, it’s hard to believe he has already logged big NHL minutes for four different organizations. Over parts of six seasons, the 2011 third-round draft pick has played 324 games. He cracked the league with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2014, howled with the Arizona Coyotes from 2017-2019, visited Montreal as a Canadien, and eventually landed in Vegas at the 2019-20 trade deadline.
While he hasn’t had much time to make an impression, Cousins has flashed just what he brings to the table in his seven games as a Golden Knight. Head Coach Pete DeBoer has given Cousins PP time, PK work, and moved him up and down the five-on-five lines. Cousins is a nice blend of puck skill and chippy play. Think of Jonathan Marchessault, when trying to gauge what type of player Cousins is. Marchessault is a more decorated scorer, but both are talented forwards who can chirp with the best of them while balancing that chip on their shoulder.
In his short time with the Golden Knights, Cousins has posted a goal and two assists in seven games. He’s mainly played on the third and fourth lines, but has the ability to fill in as a top-sixer in the same ways Stephenson does. Cousins is effective at both center and wing and is another versatile, affordable asset the Golden Knights shouldn’t take for granted. Expect him back next season at a cap hit like his expiring $1 million deal.
Robin Lehner (G):
Nobody sports the Warrior brand quite like Robin Lehner (USA Today Sports)
Making the case for a Robin Lehner return comes down to a lot of things, but on-ice ability isn’t one of them. The netminder has posted exceptional numbers for multiple teams over his career and should be a bona fide starting goalie in the NHL. Off-ice issues combined with bad teams in front of him have led Lehner to numerous NHL cities. Bouncing from Ottawa to Buffalo to Long Island, Chicago, and now Vegas can not be easy on the much maligned netminder, but he’s always responded well.
Winner of the 2018-19 Bill Masterton Trophy as the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey, Lehner has been working to prove all his doubters wrong. Aside from a career-worst season (2017-18 in Buffalo) Lehner has always posted solid numbers. A career .918 save percentage speaks volumes when taking his previous teams into account. Lehner is a great goaltender, especially when he’s healthy, and he’s 3-0-0 as a Golden Knight.
Upon accepting his Masterton Trophy, Lehner gave a heartfelt speech, speaking to the mental health issues he has suffered throughout his life. His announcement received an audibly loud applause from guys he’s made career out of stifling. They all knew his story, they knew his battle, they supported him.
This battle has gone back as far as his childhood, which only speaks to the immense talent and drive the Swedish goaltender has. He became an elite goaltender and made it in the best hockey league in the world, all while battling his inner demons. He thanked both Lou Lamoriello and Barry Trotz, for “thinking about the human first”. He went on to thank NHL physicians, “I’m here because of you guys”. The full acceptance speech is below. Don’t take for granted how hard that must have been for the goaltender.
Another factor in the pending UFA’s return is the existence of Marc-Andre Fleury and his $7 million cap hit. Currently, Lehner makes a solid $5 million, the 14th-highest AAV of all NHL goalies. Assuming the Golden Knights extended Lehner at the same AAV, they’d have $12 million of a projected $83 million salary cap in goal. Sure, the position is important, but is it 14.5% of the salary cap important?
Fleury is the face of the franchise. Dating back to the days before the Expansion Draft, owner Bill Foley and Co. were building this team around Fleury. His face, his play, and his track record were the selling points to the fans. The fact he’d lost his long-time job – starting goaltender in Pittsburgh since 2001 – to Matt Murray no longer mattered, so long as Vegas got their franchise goalie.
A reinvigorated Fleury arrived in Vegas and looked reminiscent of the guy Pittsburgh fans grew to love, the Stanley Cup winner. Now at 35-years-old, the man needs help. He can’t carry the load himself and the brass was reluctant to roll with a young backup in Malcolm Subban. Now with a backup on the other end of the spectrum, a legitimate tandem, the team must decide if they can afford that tactic.
Lehner’s ability (should be) unquestioned. He has a legitimate case to be the 1a to Fleury’s 1b, based on recent history. Fleury has two more seasons left on his $7 million per year deal, with a modified No-Trade Clause, further complicating matters. With Stephenson and Cousins representing affordable return options and Zach Whitecloud and Nic Roy already accepting team-friendly deals, the opportunity is there.
It is very possible that Lehner returns and the Vegas Golden Knights enjoy one of the best goalie tandems in the NHL. With more rest and some internal competition, Fleury should and most likely will perform better. Bringing Lehner back seems like a no-lose scenario, it’s just going to cost a few bucks.
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