Vegas Golden Knights fantasy projections for 2023-24

As part of NHL.com's 32 in 32 series, the fantasy hockey staff has projections for relevant players on the Vegas Golden Knights. Players are listed in order of fantasy rank for this season.

Jack Eichel, C

NHL.com fantasy rank: 27

Reason for optimism: Eichel averaged nearly 1.00 points per game (66 in 67 games) last season and then was the leading score during the Stanley Cup Playoffs with 26 points (six goals, 20 assists) in 22 games to help the Golden Knights win their first title. Eichel also was the postseason leader in assists, was among the League leaders in plus/minus (plus-14, tied for second) and shots on goal (71, fourth), and led the Golden Knights with eight power-play points.

NHL.com point projection: 85

Mark Stone, RW

NHL.com fantasy rank: 53

Reason for optimism: Stone returned for the start of the postseason after having back surgery Jan. 31 and averaged more than 1.00 points per game (24 in 22 games), including a hat trick in the championship-clinching win against the Florida Panthers in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final. Stone has had six seasons of more than 60 points, and if he stays healthy he could have a much higher fantasy ceiling on a line with forward Chandler Stephenson (second on Vegas with 65 points last season).

NHL.com point projection: 73

Jonathan Marchessault, RW

NHL.com fantasy rank: 62

Reason for optimism: Marchessault has been a high-floor fantasy performer for Vegas but took his game to another level in the postseason with 25 points (13 goals, 12 assists) in 22 games and won the Conn Smythe Trophy as most valuable player of the playoffs. In the postseason, he led the NHL with 19 even-strength points, 80 shots on goal and a plus-17 rating, and tied Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers for the lead in goals.

NHL.com point projection: 70

Alex Pietrangelo, D

NHL.com fantasy rank: 113

Reason for optimism: Pietrangelo tied his NHL career highs in assists (43) and points (54) last season, then had 10 points (one goal, nine assists) in 21 playoff games in winning his second Stanley Cup title (St. Louis Blues, 2019). Pietrangelo and teammate Shea Theodore are ranked among NHL.com's top 30 defenseman options for this season and provide a strong foundation for goalies Adin Hill and Logan Thompson.

NHL.com point projection: 55

Ivan Barbashev, C

NHL.com fantasy rank: 129

Reason for optimism: The Marchessault-Eichel-Barbashev line was the most valuable 5-on-5 trio in fantasy playoff pools. Barbashev, acquired in a trade with the Blues before the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline, tied Carter Verhaeghe of the Florida Panthers for fourth in the NHL in even-strength points (16) during the playoffs and tied four players for ninth in assists (11). Barbashev, who had a breakout season for the Blues in 2021-22 (60 points in 81 games) playing in mostly a secondary role, could reach new fantasy heights after signing a five-year contract this offseason to stay with Vegas.

NHL.com point projection: 66

Other VGK players to consider in fantasy: Shea Theodore, D; Chandler Stephenson, C; Adin Hill and Logan Thompson, G; William Karlsson, C; Pavel Dorofeyev, LW