When you have a lot of roster turnover like the Golden Knights had this offseason, naturally there will be some revenge games on the schedule. In 2024-25, the Golden Knights will have several emotional, personal, and potentially vengeful games on the docket. Which makes for great drama leading into the matchup.

Former VGK Players First Return In 2024-25

• Michael Amadio (OTT): 10/25/24
• Willam Carrier (CAR): 11/11/24
• Logan Thompson (WAS): 11/17/24
• Chandler Stephenson (SEA): 12/21/24
• Alec Martinez (CHI): 2/27/25
• Paul Cotter (NJD): 3/2/25
• Jonathan Marchessault (VGK): 4/12/25

On April 12, 2025, the Golden Knights will be hosting the Central Division’s Nashville Predators… strike that, the Golden Knights will be hosting Jonathan Marchessault’s Nashville Predators. The original Misfit will make his homecoming late in the season which is a real bummer for VGK fans. On the flip side, Marchessault likely prefers the late-season emotional return to Las Vegas. This way he will be long settled into his new club without the distraction of an early T-Mobile Arena matchup with the Golden Knights.

It might not be quite the same level — particularly given Vegas’s recent track record of shipping out former franchise mainstays to remain ruthlessly competitive — but in the wake of Marchessault’s comments about how his Golden Knights tenure came to an end, his own homecoming promises to bring some fireworks of its own. Asked this week about his conversations with the Golden Knights brass before leaving the club he won a Conn Smythe with just two seasons ago, Marchessault made clear he’d wanted to stick around, but Vegas has other ideas. “They just didn’t believe in me for the remainder of my career, I guess,” the veteran said of his conversation with president George McPhee and general manager Kelly McCrimmon before he was sent packing. He’ll make his return to T-Mobile Arena on April 12, to make them believe. –Sonny Sachdeva on Sportsnet.ca

Naturally, the Golden Knights will face off against Pacific Division rival Seattle Kraken four times in 2024-25. Former VGK center Chandler Stephenson will return to Las Vegas with his new squad on December 21st. Stephenson will not yield the same lengthy ovation Marchessault will receive but it’ll certainly be a loud welcoming by fans at T-Mobile Arena. Remember, Stephenson represented the Golden Knights in the 2023 All-Star game, and was second on the team in scoring in both 2021-22 and 2022-23. In 327 games the 30-year-old center recorded 237 points in a Golden Knights uniform. He was an overall success in Vegas and would have continued to be if he had been offered a similar deal to the one he received from Seattle. Most notably, Stephenson is the only player in league history to hoist the Stanley Cup cup twice at T-Mobile Arena. So, it should be a special return for him as well.

The Golden Knights lost another original Misfit this summer to free agency. Known for his physicality, speed, and angling, William Carrier will make his first visit back to T-Mobile Arena on November 24th. Carrier first broke out on the “so-called” fourth line in 2017-18 and anchored the bottom every season afterward, which rightfully earned him a long-term deal with Carolina. There’s no doubt the fans will show their affection for Big Willy when he returns in November. Wouldn’t it be fitting if Carrier netted one of his famous wraparound attempts?

The second former Golden Knight to return to T-Mobile Arena is goaltender Logan Thompson on November, 17th. Now with the Washington Capitals, it’s almost certain Thompson will be minding net for the Caps. There were some ups and downs in his time with Vegas but overall he was well-liked among the fans (shoutout to the Big Thommy Lobby). In 2023 Thompson was named an All-Star and had his name sketched onto the Stanley Cup. Vegas will travel to Washington for the second game on the schedule, I can only imagine who will be named the Capitals starter.

Up first on the schedule is former VGK forward Michael Amadio. The 23-year-old had a major resurgence while with the Golden Knights. He hit career highs in Vegas and scored one of the most memorable goals in team history with his double overtime goal against the Winnipeg Jets. Amadio’s new club will travel to Las Vegas on October 25th.

Alec Martinez comes back in February with a new-look Blackhawks team. The veteran defenseman put his body on the line night-in and night-out for the Golden Knights since they acquired him in 2020. His return will be just a week from the 5-year anniversary of the trade with Los Angeles that brought him to Vegas.

It’s up in the air if Paul Cotter will receive a video board tribute but he’s guaranteed to get a standing ovation from VGK fans. Although his impact was limited, his thunderous body checks were what supporters loved the most from Cotter. The spitfire will try and mix it up on March 2nd, 2025 when the New Jersey make their annual trip to Las Vegas.

Are these considered revenge games? Most likely, only Marchessault will be out for blood when he returns. Besides that, each player will likely just enjoy the moment. All six should feel proud of their accomplishments with the 31st franchise.