Any team that rolls out Erik Karlsson and Brent Burns on defense, as San Jose can following Thursday’s blockbuster trade, almost certainly becomes the favorite in the Pacific Division.
But the news from Northern California doesn’t diminish expectations for the Golden Knights.
“Our players expect to make the playoffs,” coach Gerard Gallant said at the opening of training camp, hours before the deal was officially announced.
The Knights enter Year 2 brimming with confidence following a remarkable run to the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season.
They’re no longer the plucky expansion team heading into the first training camp practice at 10 a.