For eight seasons that the Vegas Golden Knights have existed, countless players have represented the franchise's values. That includes names like Mark Stone and Jonathan Marchessault. Marchessault represents the origin story of the Golden Knights, starting with the amazing tale of the "Original Misfits" and ending with the Stanley Cup. Stone represents the team's emotion, letting it all hang out in big moments.
However, it seems that Jack Eichel has taken the official mantle as the franchise's face. On Saturday, the 4 Nations Face-Off representative for Team USA notched two assists in a 4-3 win over the Boston Bruins. Those two assists tied a single-season franchise record set by David Perron (50) in... 2017-18.
Eichel is also on pace for 101 points, shattering the current record of 78 (William Karlsson in 2017-18). He currently holds the single-season records for most goals created per game (0.43), along with adjusted goals created (35.5), adjusted assists (72), assists per game (0.89), and adjusted points (101). Oh, and he also has the most points per game in franchise history as it stands (1.24).
This season has been a renaissance of sorts for the four-time All-Star. He's gone from winning the Hobey Baker award in 2014-15 with the Boston University Terriers to being stuck (and hurt) with the Buffalo Sabres. Then, he gets traded to the Vegas Golden Knights, where he's still dealing with injuries but has a Stanley Cup. However, this season has shown he represents the Vegas Golden Knights in every capacity.
But why Eichel over Jonathan Marchessault, Mark Stone, and others?
Don't get me wrong. Mark Stone represents the sheer emotion of the team. He's the man that can get the Golden Knights going when they're down. However, he can't take over a game the way Jack Eichel can. His fellow 4 Nations Face-Off representative doesn't have the offensive capacity to do everything for Vegas. Stone can lead a line and orchestrate an attack. But when it's crunch time, who are you going with?
As for Marchessault? Let me ask you this. Would you associate the "Original Misfit" with representing everything the franchise stands for after his contract fiasco with Kelly McCrimmon? Other "Misfits" such as Shea Theodore and Brayden McNabb stuck around, shattering the narrative surrounding a lack of loyalty for Vegas.
Sure, he holds numerous franchise records as a tenured Golden Knight. However, the ending to the McCrimmon-Marchessault era isn't going to be forgotten anytime soon. That's why the next contract extension for Eichel will lay the groundwork for him to become a tenured superstar. He can put his past with the Sabres behind him.
Having the most single-season assists is just the beginning
Of course, fans have expected Eichel to break out for some time. They know he can be a 100-point scorer when healthy, making the offensive attack go. If (or in this case, when) he gets his extension, the former second-overall pick will become recognized for everything synonymous with Vegas Golden Knights history. That's even with people in Buffalo looking disgusted.
In the meantime, let's enjoy the superstar center becoming the team's face, heart, body, and soul. Having a next-level season where he's on pace to score those 100 points is a remarkable feat. However, advanced statistics will tell a story about how he was much more than the premier forward for the Golden Knights.
With the football season ending on Sunday, many sports analysts want to anoint Patrick Mahomes as the greatest of all time. They're getting some sort of feeling from making this designation, especially if their first name starts with "N" and their last name's "Wright." In fact, one can hear him drool and moan about the quarterback on FS1. You better ask him to do the "Time Warp" again with Dr. Frank N. Furter.
However, Mahomes does have a hockey lookalike who does amazing plays on the ice himself. He plays for the Golden Knights, who've received the same amount of vitriol as the Chiefs. However, I sincerely doubt Eichel gets help or favortism from the NHL referees (ditto for the Golden Knights). If that were the case, goaltender interference wouldn't be called on some plays.