The Vegas Golden Knights have by no means been shy about making roster changes based mostly on chilly, laborious details. So what higher means than to rank the 2025-26 roster relative to how efficient they had been final season towards how a lot they’re making this coming season. That is about bang to your buck utilizing our Worth Ratio Energy Rankings.
I used Level Shares (PS) from Hockey-Reference alongside projected 2025-26 cap hits from Spotrac and PuckPedia to calculate how effectively every Knight delivers manufacturing relative to their wage. Consider it as a return-on-investment (ROI) rating: larger numbers imply extra wins for much less money.
For context: a Worth Ratio (VR) of ~1.0 is about common, 1.5+ is robust, and a couple of.0+ is elite. Drop beneath 0.8 and also you’re within the “want a bounce again” zone, the place your most up-to-date manufacturing has not matched the paycheck.
With this in thoughts, I grouped (most) of the Golden Knights into 4 tiers, ranging from the bottom tier, the gamers who have to step up.
The 2025-26 Golden Knights Ranked in Tiers
I broke the roster into 4 tiers utilizing Worth Ratio (Level Shares per million {dollars}) to see who’s price their weight in {dollars}. Tier 1 are the discount gems, the gamers who will command a large pay enhance of their subsequent deal in the event that they stick with it. Tier 2 are dependable and above-average contributors who’ve carried out nicely given their common annual wage. Tier 3 gamers ship roughly what their cap hits recommend. Tier 4 contracts are the heaviest, except manufacturing improves.
Associated: The NHL’s Greatest Farm Programs Ranked – 2025-26 Preseason Replace
On a final observe, I excluded Knights who performed fewer than 30 video games (in complete, not simply with the staff in 2024-25) and people on the long-term damage reserve, like Alex Pietrangelo, particularly since he could also be unofficially retired at this level.
Gamers with an asterisk (*) are these whose PS consists of stats from one other staff.
Tier 4 (Ratio ≤ 0.80): Must Bounce Again – Potential Cap Drawback Spots
Mark Stone — Worth Ratio: 0.75, Cap Hit: $9.5M, 2024-25 PS: 7.1
William Karlsson — Worth Ratio: 0.49, Cap Hit: $5.9M, 2024-25 PS: 2.9
Cole Schwindt — Worth Ratio: 0.36, Cap Hit: $825K, 2024-25 PS: 0.3
Right here’s the place issues get dicey. Mark Stone (0.75) is a franchise stud and the staff captain, however his lofty contract and damage historical past could have dragged down his effectivity. William Karlsson (0.49) will at all times be a fan favourite in Las Vegas. However his manufacturing has slid nicely beneath his $5.9M hit. Depth defensemen Ben Hutton (0.31) and new acquisition Jeremy Lauzon (0.05) additionally had robust seasons in 2024-25, however didn’t play sufficient video games to formally qualify for the rankings.
Each contending roster has just a few of those contracts, that are doubtlessly commerce bait or on the chopping block. Vegas simply has to hope some bounce again in 2025-26, particularly from Stone and “Wild Invoice” Karlsson.
Tier 3 (Ratio 0.81 – 1.19): Common Worth – Honest Offers, No Free Lunch
Jack Eichel — Worth Ratio: 1.05, Cap Hit: $10.0M, 2024-25 PS: 10.5
Brandon Saad — Worth Ratio: 1.05, Cap Hit: $2.0M, 2024-25 PS: 2.1*
Colton Sissons — Worth Ratio: 1.05, Cap Hit: $1.428M, 2024-25 PS: 1.5*
Tomas Hertl — Worth Ratio: 1.02, Cap Hit: $6.750M, 2024-25 PS: 6.9
Keegan Kolesar — Worth Ratio: 0.96, Cap Hit: $2.5M, 2024-25 PS: 2.4
Noah Hanifin — Worth Ratio: 0.94, Cap Hit: $7.35M, 2024-25 PS: 6.9
Mitchell Marner — Worth Ratio: 0.88, Cap Hit: $12.0M, 2024-25 PS: 10.0*
That is the “you get what you pay for” group. All tied at 1.05 VR, Jack Eichel, Brandon Saad, and Colton Sissons (1.05) look sturdy right here and fall simply wanting making our subsequent tier. Certain, Eichel carries a $10M tag, however his elite manufacturing retains him above water. This might change when he scores his subsequent huge deal, nonetheless. Sissons is a brand new arrival from the Nashville Predators (together with Lauzon), in a cap-clearing deal for Nicolas Hague.
Noah Hanifin (0.94) and Tomas Hertl (1.02) haven’t been unhealthy, however their cap hits are steep in comparison with their outputs. They’ll want to supply at a extra constant fee, given what Vegas paid for them.
Final and definitely not least, Mitch Marner (0.88), the Knights’ latest famous person, shall be robust to rank larger given his $12M cap hit. To his credit score, he’s coming off a profession season (102 factors) and continues to generate buzz and capital for his new staff. If my VR factored in these intangibles, he’d be ranked a lot larger.
Tier 2 (Ratio 1.2 – 1.99): Robust Worth – Unsung Heroes and Gamers that Carry
Brayden McNabb — Worth Ratio: 1.95, Cap Hit: $3.65M, 2024-25 PS: 7.1
Brett Howden — Worth Ratio: 1.92, Cap Hit: $2.5M, 2024-25 PS: 4.8
Reilly Smith — Worth Ratio: 1.50, Cap Hit: $2.0M, 2024-25 PS: 3.0*
Adin Hill — Worth Ratio: 1.41, Cap Hit: $6.25M, 2024-25 PS: 8.8
Ivan Barbashev — Worth Ratio: 1.26, Cap Hit: $5.0M, 2024-25 PS: 6.3
Shea Theodore — Worth Ratio: 1.20, Cap Hit: $7.425M, 2024-25 PS: 8.9
Zach Whitecloud — Worth Ratio: 1.20, Cap Hit: $2.75M, 2024-25 PS: 3.3
That is the spine tier, the constantly sturdy contributors who give Vegas a stable surplus. Brayden McNabb (1.95) is the poster boy right here, providing defensive stability at a mid-range value. Brett Howden (1.92) is correct there, too, displaying his worth as a bottom-six ahead who constantly punches above his contract.
Add in Adin Hill (1.41), a Stanley Cup hero nonetheless giving high-end goaltending even together with his lofty new deal, and the returning Reilly Smith (1.50), and we’re seeing why the Knights constantly end close to the highest of the common season and make deep playoff runs. Every contender wants a “function participant” able to elevating the staff past their standing.
Ivan Barbashev (1.26) and defensemen Shea Theodore and Zach Whitecloud (each at 1.20) spherical out this group, all providing greater than they price, which is essential for a staff with a number of expensive stars.
Tier 1 (Ratio ≥ 2.0): The Elite, Cut price Kings
Pavel Dorofeyev — Worth Ratio: 3.43, Cap Hit: $1.835M, 2024-25 PS: 6.3
Kaedan Korczak — Worth Ratio: 3.15, Cap Hit: $825K, 2024-25 PS: 2.6
Right here is the place you discover the gems. Within the Golden Knights’ case, two stand on the high. Pavel Dorofeyev (3.43) is the clear headliner, turning his $1.8M deal into first-line sort manufacturing. He’s the form of participant who makes the entire cap puzzle work: 35 objectives in 82 video games in 2024-25 as a breakout star. If he can maintain this up, he shall be making greater than 3 times what he’s at the moment owed.
Kaedan Korczak (3.15) isn’t far behind, giving the Knights a gradual defensive presence on a contract that prices lower than some guys’ meal stipends. He’s nonetheless slated as a bottom-pairing d-man, however will proceed making a robust case for extra ice time if he can show final season’s manufacturing was no fluke.
These are the fellows that make normal managers grin and opposing followers groan.
Conclusion: Worth Goes Past Numbers
This rating is only a tough snapshot constructed on stats and wage information. It doesn’t seize the intangibles—management, locker room presence, clutch moments—that usually matter simply as a lot. Like most energy rankings, mine just isn’t good (and can possible ruffle feathers or increase eyebrows). However this train offers a enjoyable, numbers-driven have a look at who’s delivering probably the most worth for the Golden Knights heading into this coming season.
