Vegas Golden Knights Should Take a Chance on Eeli Tolvanen – The Hockey Writers – Vegas Golden Knights

The Vegas Golden Knights don’t need to make a splash just for the sake of making one. After years of aggressive roster construction, the organization has shown it can find value in players who fit its style and fill a specific need.

Eeli Tolvanen, still available in free agency, could be an intriguing option for Vegas. He became an unrestricted free agent (UFA) after spending the previous three-and-a-half seasons with the Seattle Kraken. The 27-year-old winger is coming off a 36-point season, recording 12 goals and 24 assists in 78 games. While those numbers aren’t necessarily eye-popping, they don’t tell the entire story of what he could bring to the Golden Knights.

Tolvanen Has a Proven Shot

The biggest reason for Vegas to consider Tolvanen is his ability to create offense with his shot.

Tolvanen has always possessed a dangerous release, and that remains one of the most appealing parts of his game. Daily Faceoff ranked him among the top UFAs this summer and noted that his shot power ranked in the 92nd percentile, while also pointing to his potential usefulness on a second power-play unit.

That could be particularly useful for the Golden Knights. The team has no shortage of offensive talent, but adding another winger capable of creating offense without needing to dominate the puck could give the forward group another dimension. Tolvanen doesn’t need to be a first-line player to provide value. Alongside skilled players who can create space for him, his shot could become a significant weapon.

He Brings Some Sandpaper, Too

Tolvanen isn’t simply a perimeter shooter, one of the more underrated aspects of his game is his physicality. He recorded 187 hits for Seattle last season, ranking second among Kraken forwards and just one behind Jacob Melanson for the team lead.

The Golden Knights have built much of their identity around being difficult to play against. They want forwards who can win battles, create pressure, and contribute without the puck. Tolvanen’s physical style gives him a pathway to contribute even when his offense isn’t clicking.

That’s important for a team that expects to contend.

The Price Could Make Sense

Perhaps the biggest reason Vegas should at least explore the possibility is that Tolvanen may not require a massive commitment. His previous contract carried a $3.475 million annual cap hit, but that deal is expired.

At 27 years old, Tolvanen is still young enough to potentially have another offensive step in him, but his recent production may keep his next contract from reaching the kind of price attached to some of the bigger-name free agents.

The Golden Knights are currently dealing with significant cap constraints, so signing Tolvanen would likely require some additional roster maneuvering. But if general manager Kelly McCrimmon can create the necessary room, Tolvanen could be the type of under-the-radar addition that makes sense for this roster.

A Familiar Face in the Pacific

There is also something to be said for bringing in a player who already knows the division. With Tolvanen having spent the last several seasons in Seattle, he has plenty of experience playing against Vegas. He understands the physical demands of the Pacific Division and has already played in an environment where the expectation is to compete every night.

More importantly, Tolvanen wouldn’t need to be asked to reinvent his game, the Golden Knights could put him in a complementary role, let him use his shot on the power play, and allow his physicality to fit naturally into their lineup. While there is no guarantee he would become a 25-goal scorer, adding a sub-six-foot 27-year-old winger with a dangerous shot and versatility should be appealing for McCrimmon.