Vegas Golden Knights: 3 Bold Predictions for 2021-22 Season

The Vegas Golden Knights have been shining bright since their first season in the NHL. The team is loaded with talent and the organization has enjoyed immense success very quickly in Vegas. Could this be the year they take a step back? Let's examine 3 bold predictions for the Vegas Golden Knights this season:

Marc-Andre Fleury Outperforms Robin Lehner

It's not often a team trades the reigning Vezina trophy winner for absolutely nothing, but that's what money will do in this business. The Golden Knights shipped Fleury to the Chicago Blackhawks, and quite frankly they traded the wrong netminder. Fleury is older, yes, but that means absolutely nothing. He's still in prime shape, at the top of his game and watch...this season it will be Fleury > Lehner when it's all said and done.

Nolan Patrick Finds His Game

The Golden Knights acquired former #2 overall pick Nolan Patrick and this will be the year his game finally takes off. Expectation is for Patrick to be given a look on the team's top-two lines and if he can find the right amount of chemistry with his line mates and stay healthy, the sky is the limit for this talented young forward. Look for Patrick to smash his nine points from last season and finish with 40-plus. 

Shea Theodore Wins the Norris

Last season Theodore started off like a house on fire and if it wasn't for a bad three week stretch in the middle of the season, he would have been right there pushing Adam Fox. Theodore plays both sides of the puck so well, he's very sound in his own end, and with his power play minutes going up, next season could be a masterpiece. Bold prediction indeed, Theodore wins the Norris.

Photo credit:  Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports