Ladies and gentlemen, I have some bad news. Jack Eichel isn't on the cover of NHL 26.
I know, it sucks. 66 assists and 94 points aren't enough to get you anything these days. What's more, he got passed over for... Matthew Tkachuk. Now, this isn't as bad as one would think. Tkachuk is on the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers.
But wouldn't it be nice to see a Golden Knights star on the cover? It would make your rivals' heads explode, leaving them crying salty tears. Ironically enough, you're already seeing that with Oilers fans, who are losing it after Leon Draisaitl was passed over for Tkachuk this season.
So, let's look at a hypothetical scenario, my friends. Let's look at three Golden Knights megastars that deserve to be on the cover of EA's treasured hockey game. These three players deserve to be recognized for their talents on the franchise alone. However, they need to be rewarded for their on-ice talents and overall contributions.
Who are these mystery athletes? What makes them so great in the grand scheme? This list may surprise you... or not. It depends on how you look at things.
1.) Jack Eichel
I've already mentioned Eichel's breakout season as a Golden Knight. He put himself on the map with his jaw-dropping play and two-way acumen. With that, he should be handsomely rewarded for his incredible contributions.
Who knows? If he breaks 100 points this upcoming season and wins another Stanley Cup, that could push him onto an NHL cover from EA. After all, he does deserve it by breaking through his glass ceiling.
2.) Mark Stone
Perhaps the statistics don't warrant much of a nomination. After all, this isn't the same Mark Stone we've seen since he entered the league. But there's one intangible reason why he deserves serious recognition.
Being the Captain of one of the most successful teams should fetch you a decent prize. He also had 11 goals and 13 assists during the 2023 Stanley Cup run. Imagine what would happen if he went on a fantastic run this upcoming season or the next.
3.) Mitch Marner
Stat-wise, this is the other Golden Knights star that deserves serious consideration. 102 points are always good enough to earn props from the NHL community (except in Toronto). That's the case for Mitch Marner here, who's done exceptional work upon entering the NHL scene.
Now? He's paired with Jack Eichel, who's ready to wreak havoc on the league. Imagine a top line with these two players blazing up and down the ice. If Marner has a better season, he could become an EA cover athlete and spite nearly everyone in Ontario.