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Vegas Golden Knights: Potential Leaders For 2017-18 Season

By Michael Joubran |
LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 21: Jason Garrison poses for a photo after being selected by the Las Vegas Golden Knights during the 2017 NHL Awards and Expansion Draft at T-Mobile Arena on June 21, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 21: Jason Garrison poses for a photo after being selected by the Las Vegas Golden Knights during the 2017 NHL Awards and Expansion Draft at T-Mobile Arena on June 21, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The Vegas Golden Knights may not have a captain to the start the season but they will need to have a couple of assistant captains.

Today I will be discussing who the top candidates are for the assistant captain roles on the Vegas Golden Knights team.

James Neal

Neal is probably the most likely player to have an ‘A’ on his jersey to start the season. For the last couple of seasons, he was an assistant captain on the Nashville Predators and helped lead them to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2016-17. He has a lot of NHL experience and will be able to help Vegas’ younger players adapt to the NHL.

On top of that, Neal has a great work ethic and getting him rub his hard work on the younger players could help Vegas in the long run.

Jason Garrison

I am expecting Garrison to have an ‘A’ on his jersey as well. He looks like he is very excited to play for Vegas. They could use him to get the other players excited as well. By that I mean, not all players are happy to be joining Vegas but Garrison could help change their minds.

He has never been an assistant captain before but he usually is a leader on the team. Right now he is one of the more experienced players on the team. Since, he has a lot of experience, I am expecting him to help Vegas’ younger players.

If the Knights decide to have a captain, I would not be surprised if it is given to Garrison.

Deryk Engelland

Engelland could be the third assistant captain for the Knights. He was a leader with the Calgary Flames last season and helped them make the playoffs. He is able to handle a lot of minutes and could help protect the younger guys on the team.

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Like Garrison, he looks like he is very happy to play for the Knights and could help change the minds of any players who are not. He knows how to use his voice to get the team going and that will be vital to the Golden Knights this year.

Cody Eakin

If Vegas decides to have 4 assistant captains this season, then I believe that the fourth one will go to Eakin. Like Garrison, he has never been an assistant captain but he has a lot of NHL experience.

Eakin has shown leadership qualities with the Dallas Stars. With those qualities, he could finally be given a visual representation of his leadership.

Despite having  down season last year, I believe he will be able to bounce back this season. If he is able to, then he will be able to help Vegas’ younger players who might go through the same problem.

Marc-Andre Fleury

In the NHL goalies are not allowed to have a ‘C’ or an ‘A’ on their jersey. Despite that, teams have found a way to work around it. The Vancouver Canucks named Roberto Luongo their captain back in 2008. Since he was not able to have a letter on his jersey, he put a ‘C’ on the chin of his goalie mask.

The Knights could decide to do the same. Fleury has the most NHL experience on their team and could be the perfect leader.

Conclusion

I believe the Knights will go with four assistant captains this season. Neal, Garrison, Engelland and Eakin will all be an assistant captain. If the Knights decide to make Fleury an assistant captain – or possibly even the captain – then Eakin will not receive a letter.

Next: Expansion Draft Dallas Stars (10/30)

Overall, each of these players will be able to help lead the Knights during the 2017-18 season.

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