Okay, I will admit that I'm tired right now. I'm just waiting for 6:00 PM PST to roll around so I can watch Superman and grab some chicken wings after. Maybe I'll grab a new hat while I'm at it. Who knows?
But that doesn't mean the Vegas Golden Knights fandom doesn't stop. No, you must have some fun while talking about the new(ish) kids on the block. If not, what's even the point of being a hockey fan?
This time, I'm comparing the Golden Knights to... Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Now, hear me out. I've done posts talking about chicken wings. I've done stuff comparing the Golden Knights to Marvel superheroes. But this is new territory.
This will be filled with all the pizza you can imagine and as many Foot Clan soldiers as you can fight. It won't be pretty defeating Master Shredder while trying to save New York City. However, it's all for the betterment of mankind... and tasty Italian dishes.
So, let's insert four Golden Knights into this conversation. Who's the unequivocal leader of the group like Leonardo? Who's the jock type who has a happy-go-lucky spirit like Michaelangelo? Cowabunga, my dudes! It's time to go to the Big Apple at 3 AM and fight Connor McShredder.
Leonardo: Mark Stone
You need someone who's the leader of the bunch. You must know him well and he must be ready to kick some tail. There's nobody more well-suited for the job than Mark Stone, who's led the Golden Knights since 2019.
Originally coming from the Ottawa Senators for Erik Brannstrom, Oscar Lindberg, and a 2020 second-round pick, Stone was brought in to solidify Vegas's top-six.
You know the statistics by heart and know his various contributions by now. That's why he's perfect as the group leader. He possesses that innate quality that stands out above the rest.
Michaelangelo: Jack Eichel
Now, Buffalo Sabres fans would love nothing more than to label Eichel as Raphael. They'll spread fake news about how the former second-overall pick is a locker room cancer who hates his teammates.
However, the former Sabres center recently broke the single-season franchise record for the most assists (66) and points (94). He's also grown well in the Las Vegas community, even volunteering for a shift at Raising Cane's.
Therefore, Eichel gets the honor of being the athletic Michelangelo. He does it all for Vegas and can will his team to victory. Cowabunga!
Donatello: William Karlsson
You need a cerebral player who knows how to handle each elite player. When you're faced with playing superstars like Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon, that person must use the necessary tactics to shut them down.
Enter William Karlsson, who's become one of the most underappreciated two-way players in the game. He knows how to limit his opponent's movements and keep them in a scope.
For example, he can prevent a player like McDavid from getting to the center of the ice. Instead, he brings them along the boards where he must do more. That's Donatello levels of intelligence right there.
Raphael: Keegan Kolesar
Now, Keegan Kolesar isn't an angry fellow. He's a chill guy who does plenty of good work on the lower lines. However, he does do one thing well: hit people.
During his Golden Knights tenure, Kolesar amassed 1,148 total hits in six seasons. That includes a career-high 279 hits in 2022-23, helping Vegas win the Stanley Cup.
If it was all-time Golden Knights, Ryan Reaves would definitely fit here. However, let's go with the Manitoba native for his hard-hitting nature as a grind-it-out winger.