If the Golden Knights want to continue their historic success to start the franchise it’s going to take more help from young and/or inexperienced players than ever.

With the turnover in the roster since the final game of the playoffs last year, there are more open spots in the lineup than at any time since the Expansion season. There’s at least one spot available in the top-six, a few more down the forward lines, at backup goaltender, and a former 2nd round pick is ready and able to nick a job from a veteran on the blue line.

I think we’ve got some forwards on the wings that are ready to take on more responsibility and bigger roles. If your centers are as strong as ours are, it really helps to bring a younger player or an evolving player along. It’s the best scenario for people like that. -Kelly McCrimmon

Among that group are former draft picks Brendan Brisson and Pavel Dorofeyev along with newcomers Alexander Holtz and Victor Olofsson. All four of them have had some success in the NHL but each is still waiting for that opportunity to become an integral part of a winning team. There will probably never be a better chance for any of them as they’ll all get plenty of looks alongside superstars like Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, and Tomas Hertl.

In every case though there are question marks defensively. To remain in the good graces of Bruce Cassidy, any player must work as hard to get back above the puck as they do when they have it themselves. For all four, that will likely be the difference between spending time up VGK’s lineup or down in Henderson.

On the back end, it appears to be time for a former 2nd round pick to step into a bigger role as well.

Kaedan Korczak will be a full time NHL player this year based on what we saw from his time with our team last year. He’s more than ready to step into an NHL lineup. -Kelly McCrimmon

There’s currently a logjam on the VGK blue line with seven bonafide NHLers seemingly ahead of Korczak. But, the vote of confidence from the general manager months before training camp indicates there’s a plan for him to find his way into the lineup on an everyday basis.

Finally, the important job of backup goalie is ripe for the taking for newcomers Ilya Samsonov and Akira Schmid. Based on comments following the trade that brought Schmid to Vegas it appears Samsonov has the inside track at the position, but Schmid has had success in the NHL in the past so a good camp and preseason could see him turn the tables.

How many of these guys take a step forward and become true impact players in the NHL will likely determine how strong the Golden Knights will be this year. If a few do, they’ll quickly return to being one of the best teams in the league, if they don’t, it’s going to be difficult to find replacements as quickly as VGK will need to.