There's nothing more exciting than October rolling around in Las Vegas. That means the NFL season is in full swing (even if the Raiders are awful), the weather's cooler, and hockey has returned. Wait, can you repeat that last part again? I think I heard something about the NHL season returning.
That's right. The 2024-25 season will start on October 9, when the Vegas Golden Knights play against the Colorado Avalanche at T-Mobile Arena.
Hopefully, you have your TNT app downloaded or your tickets ready. Hockey season is the most glorious time for sports fans in the Las Vegas area. It means watching one of the most successful teams in the past decade take the ice, giving fans a quality product. Big names such as Jack Eichel and Mark Stone will create fantastic moments for the Golden Knights faithful, leaving them in awe.
But the 2024-25 season will also see newer faces step onto the ice for a full campaign. That includes Tomas Hertl and Noah Hanifin. These players were acquired to bolster the Golden Knights offensively, giving them more bite on even strength and the power play. The latter has been a beleaguered unit since the team began play, which should help them this year.
Let's examine who the three team MVPs will be for Vegas this season. These stars keep the team up and running, giving them much-needed star power to compete in the NHL. Without them, the Golden Knights are sunk and unable to fight for the Stanley Cup. Who are these mysterious three valuable stars for the franchise this season?
Jack Eichel
This should go without saying that Jack Eichel appears on this list. He's become the de facto face of the organization in recent months, acting as the superstar of the Vegas Golden Knights. It's something the franchise has searched for since their remarkable Stanley Cup Final run in 2017-18, where they needed someone to carry the load.
Last season, Eichel scored 31 goals and 37 assists for the Golden Knights, giving them an offensive bite. He scored 11 goals and 11 assists on the power play, strengthening the special teams unit. The former second-overall draft pick has also proven himself as a great postseason performer, scoring nine goals and 24 assists in 29 career playoff games.
It's easy to see why Eichel would earn MVP honors for the team this season. He runs the offense well and is one of the better centers in the NHL today. Few players carry the offensive acumen or skill set that the forward does. Where would the Golden Knights be if he wasn't on the team? They wouldn't be a playoff team, let alone hoisting the Stanley Cup in 2023.