The 2025-26 NHL season starts Oct. 7. Leading up to the season opener, NHL.com is identifying six things to watch for each team. Today, the Vegas Golden Knights.

Last season: 50-22-10, first in Pacific Division; lost in Western Conference Second Round

Coach: Bruce Cassidy (fourth season)

Biggest challenge

Alex Pietrangelo played a key role on the Golden Knights’ Stanley Cup championship team in 2023 and led them in average ice time (22:24) last season. Now, the 35-year-old defenseman is out with a hip injury. Although he isn’t ruling out returning this season -- good news, considering he once said it was unlikely he’d play again -- Vegas won’t have him for the foreseeable future. That puts more pressure on the top four of Noah Hanifin , Brayden McNabb , Shea Theodore and Za

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