If you've noticed the NHL and what they've done in the past few weeks, they've put out Quarter-Century Teams for every NHL team in existence. Yes, that included the Vegas Golden Knights, who've only been in the league for eight seasons. Oh well, it's better than watching NFL referees for three hours in a day.
Anyways, the NHL made their selections for the Golden Knights for the Quarter-Century Team. Obvious names such as Jack Eichel, Jonathan Marchessault, and Marc-Andre Fleury made the list. Other memorable names such as Reilly Smith and William Karlsson made the list alongside Shea Theodore. But the names weren't as noteworthy as where they were placed.
Here you go! ⚔️
— NHL (@NHL) January 26, 2025
It's the Quarter-Century Team for the @GoldenKnights! #NHLQCTeam
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First and foremost, whoever voted Marc-Andre Fleury to be on the SECOND TEAM should be tarred, feathered, and forced to watch FOX Sports (or FOX programming and Nick Wright's growing forehead, in general) for the rest of their days.
If you started watching the Golden Knights in 2022, Fleury has been the franchise glue. Originally drafted in the 2017 Expansion Draft from the Pittsburgh Penguins, the former No. 1 overall pick has had a successful four-year tenure as the team's netminder. That included a Vezina Trophy in 2021, where he had an incredible season (1.98 GAA, .928 save percentage in 36 games). Say what you will about the shortened season. But he still had an excellent season in a sizable span.
So what about Adin Hill?
Well, Adin Hill does have a Stanley Cup to his name with the Vegas Golden Knights. That's probably why he got first-team honors. However, he has a GAA of 2.65, a quality start percentage of .533, and a save percentage of .908 in three seasons with the team. Compare that to Fleury, who has a GAA of 2.41, a quality start percentage of .602, and a save percentage of .917 in four seasons. Which choice would you rather have for a Quarter-Century Team tournament? The answer should be obvious.
It's not to say that Hill's a horrible goaltender. It's just Fleury has been outstanding for Vegas. He won the Vezina Trophy with the team and set numerous franchise records in the process. How can you argue against better numbers and winning the MVP award geared toward goaltenders? It's as hard as trying to beat a Konami game made for the NES.
Some can even argue that Logan Thompson deserves a spot over Hill. The Washington Capitals netminder spent four seasons with the Golden Knights, averaging a GAA of 2.67, a quality start percentage of .579, and a save percentage of .912. Sure, winning the Stanley Cup is the goal. However, it's a team effort where players like Jack Eichel, Jonathan Marchessault, and Reilly Smith gave it their all in 2023. Hill wasn't the main catalyst behind the team's magical run. Speaking of Marchessault...
You also need the Conn Smythe winner on the first team
It's not just for him being the Conn Smythe winner in 2023. Like Fleury, Marchessault holds numerous franchise records with the Golden Knights. That includes the most franchise goals (192), points (417), and goals created (166.4). Yes, Karlsson has also been a valuable player for the team. However, it's just that the Quebec native has done more for the Golden Knights.
There might also be the aftermath of this past summer that might've played a factor (personally, I don't think so). But when your claim to fame is holding franchise records for the most single-season goals scored (43 in 2017-18) and short-handed goals with the team (13), it doesn't say much compared to the guy with nearly every franchise record.
Overall, the list looks reasonable from every perspective. You have the two best defensemen alongside Mark Stone and Eichel on the first team. There isn't much gripe about who should be on the list. It's only a matter of rearranging some pieces that make logistical sense (starting with Marc-Andre Fleury, of course).