The familiar feeling has returned to the VGK locker room

From the ESPN broadcast

Two years ago, the Golden Knights started the season with a chip on their shoulder. After missing the playoffs the year before, the team entered camp with a new coach on the bench and an offseason that didn't make any big headlines. The group that had limped through the year before felt refreshed and ready to prove that the postseason was by chance, not the multiple Conference Finals appearances before it.

There was almost an anger in the room that had never been seen before. It wasn't necessarily hostile, but it was clear that they knew what the world thought about them and that they were willing to change that narrative. This year that feeling is back.

It doesn't feel like last year because we're not the defending champions. This is a very unique situation. This feels like two years ago, when there may have been doubts around the league about where the team was. Even though we know in the locker room that there is a winning team and a winning culture and a lot of good players. -Bruce Cassidy

Every member of the Golden Knights organization understands why there is a certain level of cynicism around the league toward their team. The reality is that they made the playoffs as the No. 8 seed in the West and were ultimately eliminated in the first round. Then they watched their Conn Smythe winner, a top-six center, a strong fourth liner, an emerging scorer, a shot-blocking machine and a lovable 1B starting goalie, all leave with very little in return.

But at the same time, they look around and see 14 players in the locker room with their names engraved on the Stanley Cup (Tanner Pearson would make it to 15). They see Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, Tomas Hertl and William Karlsson anchoring the forwards. You see three elite offensive defensemen and five other solid players behind them. You're looking at two goaltenders who have each won nearly 70% of their starts in recent years. And they see a head coach with a system that has proven itself.

It feels a bit like we're flying under the radar. I don't want to say that we should prove people wrong, because that's not our job. We're committed to developing your game throughout the year so you have a fighting chance at the end, and I think we're definitely in that category. This year the motivation is simply to get back to where we were. I think the boys are proud of what they do and we want to be among the best. Last year we were defending champions and hadn't changed much, so the expectation was that we would do it again. Whereas two years ago and this year we're probably not that outwardly, but we're definitely within those walls. -Cassidy

Cassidy conveyed this message in an unobtrusive manner, and his tone echoed that of all players who have also spoken out on the issue. There's no overly bombastic “We'll show you!” feeling. Instead, it's more like, “We just don't see it the way others see it.”

It is confident, not arrogant.

It's more internal than anything else, but there are external influences that want to impress you. First and foremost is our fan base. We want her to know that we believe in ourselves and can get back there. -Cassidy

Two years ago, that belief manifested itself in a hot start, the best regular season in franchise history, 16 playoff wins and immortality. It's no surprise that they're trying to use it again.