Brett Howden is flying under the radar as expected

Imagine you're Brett Howden of the Vegas Golden Knights for a second. You have a role that involves plenty of dirty work, playing alongside players like Nicolas Roy and Keegan Kolesar. Your responsibility is to ensure the forecheck runs smoothly and add applicable scoring. It's a thankless role that leaves you wondering if it'll get better. But hey! Some people will mistake you for Justin Bieber.

However, the journeyman forward has surprised some people so far beyond his pop star looks. Howden has two goals to start the season, leaving him on pace for... 55. Yes, I know. Projections three games into the season don't say much for a bottom-six forward. However, he's showing he might have staying power beyond this season.

Previously, it was mentioned how he contributed to the forecheck by being physical and taking pucks away. The Calgary native could use his speed and skill to chase down pucks, making him a threat in transition. He's lived up to that reputation, delivering three hits and two takeaways in three games.

Again, just a small sample size. However, Howden is putting in excellent work as a bottom-six forward, working every shift like it's his last. Whether it's pouncing on open pucks or flying down the ice in transition, he's become an impressive figure for Vegas.

When you've impressed the team's superstar, you know you're doing something right. But could this last for the 26-year-old forward? Who else could benefit from having Howden run the forecheck and generate pressure? It's time to break out the bread slices and make a sandwich because we're eating here!

What's making Brett Howden special to watch

On Sunday, I saw the Vegas Golden Knights take on the Anaheim Ducks. I was desperate to see flying flamingos in person and I felt this game was appropriate given the circumstances. Brett Howden made this mission much easier, putting the first goal on the board for the Golden Knights in front of James Reimer.

There were also various instances where he flew down the ice for potential odd-man rushes. Sometimes, he was successful in firing off a scoring opportunity. Others, it was players like Nicolas Roy who couldn't handle the puck, leaving a squandered chance. Overall, it showed that Howden could hang with the big boys.

Such effort will be valuable for Bruce Cassidy's bottom-six unit throughout the season. When forwards like Keegan Kolesar add more forechecking with Howden, the Golden Knights become a grinding, physical team. In turn, it generates more opportunities in transition and even in their offensive zone, as proven by Pavel Dorofeyev's third-period goal.

The 26-year-old is in the last year of his current contract. It remains to be seen whether he returns next summer. But one thing's certain: Howden is proving he has staying power within the Golden Knights organization. He adds speed and skill on the lower lines, making him a formidable running mate with players like Roy and Kolesar. Now that's something you should pay attention to.