Karlsson, nicknamed “Wild Bill,” was one of the Knights’ immediate success stories and quickly became a fan favorite. The speedy center scored 43 goals and 78 points the team’s inaugural season after mainly being a depth player early in his career. Karlsson has remained one of the Knights’ best all-around players since. He brings tremendous defensive value and is one of the best penalty killers in the NHL.

Marchessault looms large in the Knights’ dressing room despite his short stature. The 5-foot-9 winger has been one of the team’s vocal leaders since he was selected from the Florida Panthers in the 2017 expansion draft. Marchessault is the Knights’ all-time leader in goals, assists and points but plays responsible defensively as well. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy for playoff MVP last season after scoring 13 goals during the team’s Stanley Cup run.

Roy was a surprise contributor during the Knights’ 2020 run to the Western Conference Final as a rookie. The big-bodied forward can play center or wing and has filled a variety of roles in the bottom six. He’s one of the team’s most consistent penalty killers as well. Roy’s offensive game has grown as he’s developed. He scored a career-best 41 points this season.

The Knights’ decision to trade for Stephenson on Dec. 3, 2019 is one of the best in franchise history. He was struggling to carve out a bottom-six role with the Washington Capitals when the move happened. Since then, he’s received tons of playing time in the Knights’ top six and earned a spot in the 2023 NHL All-Star game. Stephenson’s speed, vision and passing make him valuable in all situations.

Carrier, an original Golden Knight, has been a mainstay among the team’s bottom-six forwards. The speedy winger is known for his grit and tenacity more than his skill, but he scored a career-high 16 goals last season. He’s a former second-round pick the Knights took in the 2017 expansion draft from the Buffalo Sabres.

Kolesar made the Knights out of training camp in 2021 and generated chance after chance for himself before scoring his first goal March 22 against St. Louis. The winger plays a gritty, physical game and isn’t afraid to stick up for his teammates. He’s also shown plenty of offensive pop in his young career and provides secondary scoring from the bottom six.

Stone became the first captain in Knights’ history before the 2021 season. The honor was well-earned because he became the team’s emotional leader after being acquired from the Ottawa Senators before the 2019 trade deadline. Stone is one of the NHL’s top two-way forwards and brings passion and intensity every time he steps on the ice. He’s one of the league’s top passers and makes everyone on the ice with him better. The only thing holding him back in recent years has been health. Stone has had two back surgeries since May 2022 and suffered a lacerated spleen this season.

Hague made his NHL debut in 2019 after being one of the Knights’ most prized prospects. He was taken early in the second round in 2017 because players with his blend of size and offensive instincts don’t come around often. Hague has since established himself as an NHL regular. He brings a lethal one-timer (which has teammates refer to as a “Haguerbomb”) on offense and uses his length to disrupt plays on defense.

Martinez has fit the Knights like a glove since coming over from Los Angeles before the 2020 trade deadline. The steady veteran makes smart plays, takes care of the puck and has a strong one-timer on the power play. He’s also one of the NHL’s best shot blockers. Martinez has experienced plenty of success in his career. He won two Stanley Cups with the Kings, and scored the winning goal in double overtime during Game 5 of the 2014 Final. He lifted the Cup again last season with the Knights.

McNabb has been a stalwart defender for the Knights since arriving from the Los Angeles Kings in the 2017 expansion draft. He’s often tasked with defending the opposing team’s top forwards both at five-on-five and on the penalty kill. He tends to make life uncomfortable for opponents, especially when delivering one of his crushing hip checks. His steady play makes him one of the Knights’ unsung heroes.

Pietrangelo was the most expensive free-agent signing in Knights’ history when he signed a seven-year deal Oct. 12, 2020. His hefty price tag was well earned. Pietrangelo established himself as one of the best two-way defensemen in the NHL during his 12 years in St. Louis, the last four of which he spent as the Blues’ captain. He led the franchise to its first Stanley Cup in 2019 and won another championship with the Knights last year.

Theodore kept growing each season with the Knights after being acquired in an expansion trade until he became one of the most fearsome defenseman in the NHL. The former-first round pick has a combination of skating and stickhandling ability that’s almost unmatched on the back end. He’s able to create transition opportunities on his own either by dancing around opponents or firing pristine passes to his teammates.

Whitecloud was a college free-agent find for the Knights coming out of Bemidji State in Minnesota. He carved out a role for himself as a rookie in 2019-20 thanks to his heady play and poise beyond his years. Whitecloud isn’t the flashiest player, but he also rarely makes a mistake. It didn’t take long for him to win the trust of his coaches.

Thompson has had a remarkable rise since signing an entry-level contract with the Knights in July 2020. He made his debut March 10, 2021, becoming the first goalie that’s played Canadian college hockey to appear in an NHL game since 1994. Thompson didn’t stop there. He was named an NHL All-Star as a rookie last year and has led the Knights in starts in back-to-back seasons.