The Vegas Golden Knights made some additions this season like any other team, and none of them seemed that significant at first glance other than head coach Bruce Cassidy. They were coming off of an injury-riddled season where the team missed the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. Knowing Vegas and the moves they make to win each season, that wasn’t going to fly. They ended up coming back stronger than ever, winning their division and finishing with the most points in the Western Conference, then going on to win the Stanley Cup. That wouldn’t have happened without the additions they made, so let’s take a look at the best one.
Bruce Cassidy
In Vegas, coaches, like players, aren’t safe if they don’t perform. While Pete DeBoer is a very strong head coach, the Golden Knights made a switch during the 2022 coaching carousel that couldn’t have worked out any better. Cassidy has a reputation of not being a players coach, but he has a certain expectation for his players to get the job done. He was endorsed by Boston Bruins’ captain Patrice Bergeron when he told Mark Stone to get Vegas to hire him.
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In year 1 and 2, he doesn’t wear on his players as much, but over time, the feeling is that his methods start to work less effectively. He was a great coach in Boston until he was let go, only to lead the Golden Knights to a Cup in his first year as coach. Whatever happens from here, the coaching change made a big difference in how the team is structured and plays and Vegas’ name is etched on the Stanley Cup forever. Cassidy might not be a finalist for the Jack Adams Award, but that shouldn’t take away from his impact on the team.
Adin Hill
Acquired for a fourth round pick in 2024, Adin Hill ended up being one of the most valuable players this season for the Golden Knights. He might have taken a backseat to Logan Thompson early in the season and then served as the backup to Laurent Brossoit to begin playoffs, but Hill took over and played amazingly, stealing games and posting an 11-4 record, .932 save percentage, and two shutouts. It was his first postseason games and he rose to the occasion. Despite only starting 25 games during the regular season, Hill was the most stable thing about the Golden Knights’ net this season.
Ivan Barbashev
I didn’t consider the Golden Knights adding Ivan Barbashev a huge addition at the time of the trade considering he was playing second/third line minutes in St. Louis, but given a chance to play with better players and higher up in the lineup, he didn’t disappoint. Vegas knew what they were doing by adding him as they only had to give up a prospect in return for a cheap winger who plays a playoff-type brand of hockey.
Barbashev is physical, big, and has won a Cup already. He also has a strong 2021-22 season to his name that proves he can score and put up points. He contributed seven goals and 18 points in 22 playoff games for his first major playoff performance.
Jonathan Quick & Teddy Blueger
Both Jonathan Quick and Teddy Blueger were really just shots in the dark for a couple of draft picks to give the Golden Knights depth. Quick started nine games during the regular season for them and was acquired at a time where the team needed some goaltending depth. He didn’t play in the playoffs, but still got his name on the Cup. Blueger on the other hand did suit up in the playoffs, but just for six games, totaling 24 with the Golden Knights. Neither of these players should be considered the best addition.
So of Cassidy, Hill, and Barbashev, who was the Stanley Cup winning Golden Knights’ best addition this season? While there are very good cases for all three, goaltending was a huge factor in why Vegas hoisted the Cup, so my pick is Hill.
