The Vegas Golden Knights are entering their tenth NHL season with a new center ice design that Fox News described as the most Vegas-style design the league has ever seen.
The team unveiled the design ahead of a season that marks a decade since Vegas became an NHL city. The Golden Knights came into the league as an expansion franchise and immediately made history in their first year.
According to Fox News, the team made it to the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural 2017-18 season, only to lose to Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals. That run established the franchise as one of the most successful expansion teams the league had ever produced.
The Golden Knights returned to the Final in 2023 and defeated the Florida Panthers to win the franchise's first championship. This past season, they made a third trip to the Final but lost to the Carolina Hurricanes in six games.
Over nine seasons, the team has missed the playoffs only once. In that season, they still finished fourth in their division. Fox News noted that Vegas continues to be a top destination for free agents and players requesting trades, positioning the team as one of the league's consistent contenders heading into year ten.
The new ice design drew mixed reactions on social media. Supporters praised it as fitting for the city, while critics questioned how visible the puck would be during play in areas where the design is most dense.
The Golden Knights are also known for their pre-game entertainment, which Fox News compared to a combination of the Ice Capades and Medieval Times. The franchise has built a reputation around spectacle both on and off the ice since its founding.
Three Finals appearances, one championship, and one playoff miss in nine seasons puts the Golden Knights among the more accomplished expansion franchises in NHL history. The tenth season begins with the team still considered among the favorites in the Western Conference.
