Old Friend Chandler Stephenson To Face Vegas Tomorrow
Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Chandler Stephenson was a big part of the Vegas Golden Knights organization. Through four seasons and change in a Knights sweater, he emerged as a scoring threat, accumulating 75 goals and 241 points in 351 games. He even finished a point behind Jack Eichel for the team lead in scoring during their Stanley Cup year.
But despite back-to-back 60-point seasons in 2021-22 and 2022-23, the Knights let him test the waters in free agency this offseason. He landed with the Seattle Kraken, and he’s preparing to face the Knights on Friday night for the first time since departing.
While some have had hard feelings after leaving Vegas (cough, cough, Marc-Andre Fleury), Stephenson had nothing but nice things to say about Vegas. “I’ll forever be grateful for my time there. A good group of guys, some that you win with. Those friendships carry over forever,” he told the media on Thursday.
Chandler Stephenson went dancing through the defense! 🕺
It's now 4-0 for the @SeattleKraken in the opening period! pic.twitter.com/4cpwgDULs1
— NHL (@NHL) October 29, 2024
Though, checking in on our old friend, we see that it hasn’t been a terrific start for either Stephenson or the Kraken. The team itself is 5-8-1, and Stephenson has just one goal and nine points through 14 games, despite logging 20 minutes per night. And four of those points came in just one game against the Montreal Canadiens.
It’ll be great to see Stephenson again on Friday, but as much fondness as we might have for his time here, Knights fans might spend the game breathing a sigh of relief that they aren’t on the hook for his seven-year contract.
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