Pivotal Game-Time Decision for Pavel Dorofeyev in Golden Knights’ Season Opener
Golden Knights’ Dorofeyev Likely to Play in Season Opener Against Kings
Pavel Dorofeyev’s Injury Status Update
As the Vegas Golden Knights gear up for their home opener against the Los Angeles Kings, head coach Bruce Cassidy provided an update on forward Pavel Dorofeyev’s condition. Although he anticipates Dorofeyev will play, his participation remains a game-time decision due to an unresolved injury.
Dorofeyev’s Preseason Challenges
Dorofeyev has faced setbacks during the preseason, having been limited to just four shifts and 4:07 of ice time in a previous matchup against the Kings on September 23rd, which ended in a 3-1 defeat. Since then, his recovery has been on a day-to-day basis, making his availability for the opening game uncertain.
Lineup Considerations for the Golden Knights
With Dorofeyev’s status still in the air, there are questions about the configuration of the third line with Tomas Hertl and Brandon Saad. During the preseason, Braeden Bowman and Raphael Lavoie had notable ice time but did not secure spots on the roster. Meanwhile, Alexander Holtz, who participated under a professional tryout contract, remains unsigned.
Dorofeyev’s Impressive Past Performance
Coming off an impressive 2024-25 season, Dorofeyev led the Golden Knights with 35 goals, 17 assists, and 52 points over 82 games. His defensive skills were also commendable, with a -0.151 5v5 regularized adjusted plus-minus for expected goals against per 60 minutes, ranking him highly among his peers.
Contract and Future Prospects
Entering the final year of a two-year contract with a $1.835 million cap hit, Dorofeyev will become a restricted free agent next summer with arbitration rights. Industry experts from AFP Analytics forecast his next contract could reach approximately $7.25 million annually over five years.
The Vegas Golden Knights are set to commence their season against the Kings at 7 p.m. PST on Wednesday, with fans eagerly anticipating Dorofeyev’s return to the ice.
