Eichel not thinking about McDavid's deal

LAS VEGAS — Here in what the team affectionately calls “The Realm,” it never changes.

Expectations are the same. The goal is simple. And that is to win the Stanley Cup. Anything less is considered failure.

As the Vegas Golden Knights embark upon their ninth NHL season (where has the time gone?), they do so with a roster they believe is good enough to compete and win a second Cup. Those who were there in 2023 haven’t forgotten when owner Bill Foley’s “Cup in Six” prophecy came true.

It’s a different look as we head into Wednesday’s season-opener against the Los Angeles Kings. Mitch Marner is ready to skate alongside Jack Eichel, the latter who has yet to sign a contract extension to remain a Golden Knight. Defenseman Alex Pietrangelo has gone on long term injured reserve and he will not be available as he tends to a wonky hip. Replacing him and the departed Nic Hague will be by committee so to speak with Kaeden Korczak, Ben Hutton and Jeremy Lauzon filling two spots.

The Knights will ride with Adin Hill as their starting goaltender with Akira Schmid backing him up. There has been widespread speculation that Carter Hart, the former Philadelphia Flyers goalie who was on trial for sexual assault in Canada but found not guilty and has been allowed to return to the NHL come December, could be signed by general manager Kelly McCrimmon. So far, there has been no deal but remember, this is a team that will do what it needs to if it can improve the lineup.

Coach Bruce Cassidy didn’t do a lot of experimenting during the preseason. He played Eichel and Marner together when he could, using Ivan Barbashev as the third member of what will be Vegas’ top line. He had Mark Stone, who had previously skated with Eichel, playing with William Karlsson and Reilly Smith. Tomas Hertl is centering for veteran Brandon Saad and most likely Pavel Dorofeyev, assuming Dorofeyev is ready to go after injuring his knee in the first preseason game and missing the last six exhibitions. If Dorofeyev can’t go, Alexander Holtz, who was in training camp on a PTO and was signed to a two-year deal Tuesday, would take his spot. Or it could be Cole Reinhardt. The fourth line has Colton Sissons, Brett Howden and Keegan Kolesar serving as Vegas’ “Identity Line.”

Dorofeyev said he felt good after Tuesday’s practice and hoped to be in the lineup against the Kings. Cassidy was a little more cautious, saying: “I anticipate he’ll play. We’ll see how he is when he wakes up (Wednesday).”

For Eichel, who is coming off a career year, which saw him rack up 94 points (28 goals, 66 assists) in 77 games, the fact he has not signed an extension is interesting, especially given what Connor McDavid did Monday in signing a two-year deal for $25 million to stay in Edmonton.

Does that impact Eichel’s negotiations with McCrimmon? Will he instruct his agent Pat Brisson to continue a dialogue with McCrimmon? Or will he shut everything down and focus on hockey, which includes his representing the United States in February’s Olympics in Italy?

When asked if McDavid’s deal will impact his negotiations with Vegas, Eichel said: “Not at all. Connor’s got the right to do whatever he wants to do.

“I talk to Pat every day. He’s in communication with the team. My job as a player is to play hockey, be a good teammate and be prepared to play (Wednesday) night. The other stuff will take care of itself.”

Cassidy said he likes all his forwards, not just Eichel and Marner.

“This could be the best group 1 through 12 that I’ve ever coached,” said Cassidy, who got to coach Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand and some other really good forwards when he was in Boston. “There’s a lot of positives with all four lines.”

That said, Cassidy doesn’t want to put added pressure on Eichel and Marner to produce.

“I’m hoping they’re dangerous whenever they’re on the ice,” Cassidy said of the Knights’ Dynamic Duo, who were featured in an NHL commercial promoting the start of the season Tuesday. “I hope they don’t put that pressure open themselves.”

Eichel, who has a Stanley Cup ring from 2023, something Marner is still looking to achieve, said he likes the construction of this year’s roster.

“It’s deep,” he said. “That’s the first thing you look at. I really like our four lines right now, our D.

“Listen, it’s hard to win in this league. We all know that. You bring some veteran pieces in to fill out your lineup. I think every line will form an identity. We have a ton of faith in our goaltenders and our defensemen. So now it’s about going out and playing and getting off to a good start, beginning (Wednesday) night.”