Accessories to the stars: Keep an eye on these four Golden Knights to emerge this season as pivotal players

Accessories to the stars: Keep an eye on these four Golden Knights to emerge this season as pivotal players By Case Keefer Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026 | 2 a.m. Jack Eichel and Mitch Marner will account for the largest share of the Golden Knights’ offense. Mark Stone and William Karlsson will contribute significantly as well, delivering strong two‑way play and leadership. The hierarchy of Vegas’ defense is equally clear. Shea Theodore will drive the bulk of the offensive output, while Brayden McNabb is assigned the role of lockdown stopper. Rasmus Andersson and Noah Hanifin tend to follow Theodore’s approach but will be asked to fill additional responsibilities. The Golden Knights’ core of established players is set, but the question remains: who will emerge as the most important complementary pieces? A notable opening exists in the scoring ranks after Pavel Dorofeyev, who led the team in goals over the previous two seasons, was traded to the New York Rangers in the offseason. Below are four players to watch who could become critical to Vegas’ success alongside its frontline stars. **Brett Howden** The sixth‑year Golden Knight is an obvious starting presence that arguably should not need qualification. Howden delivered the best hockey of his career during the past postseason, leading the squad with 14 goals and pushing Mitch Marner for the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoffs’ most valuable player. This season will determine whether that performance was a temporary spike or a sustainable improvement. It would not be unprecedented for Howden to take another step forward; he is entering his prime at 28 years old and was once a highly regarded first‑round pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning. He now appears locked onto a line with Marner and Karlsson, a position alongside two elite playmakers that he credited for much of his playoff success. **Trevor Connelly** General manager Kelly McCrimmon and head coach Ryan Craig have indicated that the organization’s top prospect will make an impact this season; it is merely a matter of when, not if. McCrimmon described the 2024 first‑round selection as “different than any other player in our organization right now (with) elite hockey sense, elite talent.” At 20 years old and weighing 161 pounds, Connelly remains a work in progress, and the club is cautious about thrusting him into heavy minutes prematurely. He spent much of training camp on the third line with Victor Olofsson and Tomas Hertl, a grouping noted for its goal‑scoring upside. Connelly performed well with the Silver Knights under Craig’s guidance last year, tallying 49 points in 46 AHL games despite being one of the league’s least experienced players. He could be poised to leave the minor leagues ahead of schedule. **Victor Olofsson** The 31‑year‑old Swedish winger experienced an inconsistent stint with the Golden Knights two seasons ago, leaving some fans disappointed when he departed in free agency. He did not remain away long, signing a second Vegas stint after playing for Calgary and Colorado the previous campaign. Dorofeyev’s exit likely proved attractive to Olofsson, whose profile matches that of a sharpshooting, offensive‑first contributor. He will be tasked with generating scoring and could slide into Dorofeyev’s former role as the first‑unit power‑play sniper, though he is expected to begin the season on the second power‑play unit. **Braeden Bowman** The Golden Knights secured Bowman’s services with a six‑year extension signed on the eve of training camp, around the same time they added two years to captain Mark Stone’s contract. The timing signals the franchise’s confidence in Bowman as a substantial part of its future. Injuries elevated him to the NHL roster a year ago, where he flashed potential with eight goals and 18 assists in 54 games. McCrimmon praised Bowman’s character, noting he “didn’t sulk” after being reassigned to Henderson at the end of the season. Bowman will have every opportunity to establish himself in the NHL and become a regular lineup fixture, possessing the upside to be a difference‑maker. This story originally appeared in Las Vegas Weekly. Photo credits: Steve Marcus (lead image and accompanying gallery images).