The Vegas Golden Knights are world-renowned for having a winning reputation. Making two Stanley Cup Finals and winning a Stanley Cup will do that to a franchise. Along the way, it brought admirers and haters from all parts of the globe.
The reason? It's a certain mentality. This mindset consists of contributing at every turn, whether it's on the forecheck or the penalty kill. Without that mentality, the Golden Knights would merely be another team.
Let's call it the "Misfit Mentality." You want to honor your Golden Misfits with a proper moniker that represents that style. It doesn't matter if it's William Karlsson and Reilly Smith on the "power kill" or Mark Stone's two-way play. Even the mentality extends to players who weren't with the team on "Day F****** One!"
With that, let's approach the offseason and search for two free agents who fit the bill. They can contribute in various ways, whether it's with a solid forecheck or scoring shorthanded goals. Let's take a time machine (sort of) and explore why these two names work.
Mitch Marner
Perhaps the best player with a Misfit mentality, Mitch Marner has everything a team needs to succeed. He can score (27 goals) and acts as an excellent facilitator (75 assists this past season). But his offensive prowess isn't what makes him a Misfit in spirit.
It's his two-way game, where he can go the entire length of the ice. Marner forechecks when called upon and can create turnovers. Bruce Cassidy would greatly appreciate someone who does all these things and plays at an elite level like the Maple Leafs winger.
Of course, there isn't much else that can be said about Marner. He's solid offensively and provides an excellent defensive boost. Sometimes, you need to go all-in to win a Stanley Cup, which is the case here.
Brad Marchand
Rumor has it that Brad Marchand's camp is asking for $8 million per year minimum, making a deal non-sensical. On top of that, he wouldn't mind a discount to stay in Florida for $5 million or $6 million, making it even tougher. Therefore, it doesn't seem likely that the Golden Knights will move unless it's a last-ditch effort for the offseason.
If they do? They're getting a solid penalty killer who can pounce on pucks. There's also the scoring side of Marchand, who scored 23 goals this past season. He could be a Misfit in disguise if he comes to Vegas by some chance.