5 Former Golden Knights Still Making Their Mark Around the NHL

The Vegas Golden Knights have accomplished more in their first decade than many franchises manage to achieve in their entire existence. From reaching the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season to winning the championship in 2023, the Golden Knights quickly built an identity around competitiveness, depth, and a willingness to make difficult roster decisions. However, maintaining success in the NHL often means saying goodbye to players who helped establish that culture.

Over the years, several important members of Vegas’ history have moved on to new teams or retired from the game entirely. As the 2026-27 season approaches, fans will see plenty of familiar faces in different places.

Here is where five former Golden Knights are entering the next chapters of their careers.

Jonathan Marchessault Remains a Franchise Icon in Nashville

Few players represent the Golden Knights’ early years more than Jonathan Marchessault. One of the original “Misfits” from Vegas’ inaugural roster, Marchessault quickly became one of the most important players in franchise history. After joining the team as an expansion selection, he developed into one of the NHL’s most dangerous offensive players and helped establish the identity that made the Golden Knights so successful.

Marchessault became a fan favorite because of his competitiveness, offensive ability, and willingness to play with an edge. His biggest moment came during Vegas’ 2023 Stanley Cup run when he led the playoffs in scoring and won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the postseason.

After seven seasons in Vegas, Marchessault entered free agency following the 2023-24 season and signed with the Nashville Predators. His departure marked the end of an era for the Golden Knights, as one of the final remaining members of the original expansion group moved on.

While he is no longer wearing a Vegas jersey, Marchessault’s legacy with the organization is more than secure. He helped transform the Golden Knights from an expansion experiment into a Stanley Cup champion.

Logan Thompson Begins a New Chapter in Washington

Logan Thompson’s time with the Golden Knights may have been relatively short, but his rise through the organization made him an important part of Vegas’ recent history. After joining the Golden Knights as an undrafted goaltender who worked his way through the professional ranks, Thompson eventually earned an opportunity in the NHL and quickly established himself as a legitimate starter. His emergence gave Vegas another young goaltender to build around and provided the organization with a valuable option between the pipes.

Thompson’s time in Vegas ultimately came to an end when he was traded to the Washington Capitals in the summer of 2024. The move gave the Capitals a young goaltender with starting experience, while Vegas received assets as it continued to reshape its roster. Now entering another season in Washington, Thompson has an opportunity to continue establishing himself as a long-term NHL starter.

Thompson’s development is particularly interesting because he represents another example of a player who emerged from the organization’s system and went on to establish himself elsewhere. While he may no longer be part of Vegas’ goaltending picture, his path from an undrafted prospect to an NHL starter remains a notable part of the franchise’s recent history.

Chandler Stephenson Becomes a Key Part of Seattle’s Core

Chandler Stephenson’s departure represented one of the biggest changes to Vegas’ championship roster. Acquired by the Golden Knights from the Washington Capitals during the 2019-20 season, Stephenson quickly became one of the most reliable players in the organization. His speed, versatility, and two-way ability made him a perfect fit in Vegas’ system.

During the 2022-23 season, Stephenson played a crucial role in the Golden Knights’ first Stanley Cup championship. His ability to contribute in every situation made him one of the team’s most trusted forwards. However, after the 2023-24 season, Stephenson entered free agency and joined the Seattle Kraken beginning with the 2024-25 season.

While Vegas has continued finding ways to replace important pieces, Stephenson’s departure was significant because he embodied the type of player the franchise consistently valued: dependable, versatile, and capable of performing in big moments.

Keegan Kolesar Brings His Physical Style to Detroit

Keegan Kolesar was never the biggest offensive name on the Golden Knights’ roster, but his contributions helped define the team’s identity. After becoming part of the organization during its early years, Kolesar developed into a dependable bottom-six forward known for his physicality, forechecking, and willingness to compete in difficult areas of the ice.

His role was especially important on a team built around depth. Kolesar provided energy, toughness, and a physical presence that allowed Vegas’ skilled players to create offense. After several seasons with the Golden Knights, Kolesar will enter a new chapter with the Detroit Red Wings heading into the 2026-27 season.

While his departure may not receive the same attention as some of Vegas’ bigger stars, Kolesar represented the type of player who helped build the foundation of the franchise.

Pavel Dorofeyev Gets a Fresh Opportunity With New York

The trade that saw Pavel Dorofeyev sent to the New York Rangers was a different type of change for the Golden Knights. Unlike Marchessault, Fleury, Stephenson, and Kolesar, Dorofeyev was part of the next generation of Vegas players. The talented forward showed flashes of becoming a consistent offensive contributor and gave the Golden Knights another young scoring option during his time with the organization.

His offensive instincts and shooting ability made him one of the more intriguing young players in Vegas’ system, but the NHL is constantly changing, and teams must make difficult decisions to continue improving. Dorofeyev will now look to take the next step in his career with the Rangers, where he will have an opportunity to continue developing his offensive game in a new environment.

Golden Knights’ History Continues Beyond Vegas

The Golden Knights have built one of the most unique stories in modern NHL history. Their success came quickly, but maintaining that success has required constant roster evolution.

Players like Marchessault, Fleury, Stephenson, Kolesar, and Dorofeyev all played different roles in the organization’s journey, whether they were foundational pieces, championship contributors, or part of the team’s continued growth.

Although they will be wearing different jerseys—or watching from retirement—they remain important parts of the Golden Knights’ story as the franchise continues chasing more championships.