What I want to see Jack Eichel and Mitch Marner do with the Golden Knights this season

Vegas Golden Knights fans woke up on a Thursday, dreading the long workday. They were hoping to just make it through the day and make it to Friday. Instead, they got another day with nothing but emails and added work.

Understandable. After all, it's a long climb from Monday, where you're waiting for the weekend to come around.

However, fans got a little treat from Thursday's morning skate. They saw two elite names practicing and preparing for a preseason game against the Utah Mammoth.

That's right, Golden Knights fans. Christmas is here and you get to see what the hype is about. Who knows? Maybe the preseason offense will turn around and the potential Silver Knights players will actually score. That should go well with your morning coffee with cream.

While fans are getting a little taste of what's to come for the 2025-26 season, it's worth seeing the duo's expectations for this season. After all, the Golden Knights expect the pair to put up points galore this season. Why not kick the tires and see where the group heads?

That's why I have one expectation of the duo for this season. Obviously, I hope that both superstars can bring home a Stanley Cup come June 2026. I mean, who wouldn't want to see that? That's what you fight for annually. Still, I want to see the pair do one minor thing for the upcoming season so Vegas can rest easier.

I want to see Mitch Marner and Jack Eichel get creative on the top unit

Watching the pair practice during Training Camp in the last two weeks, I noticed something about Marner. He looked quick, relaxed, and felt like he belonged on the team. That vibe shift should play well into the upcoming season and the Stanley Cup expectations.

During the practices, Marner and Eichel looked efficient on the rush. There were silky smooth passes and shots as gorgeous as Marner's hair. Like, seriously, how could you scare off such a fabulous mane out of town?

Anyways, the duo should carry that momentum into the regular season together. The unrivaled speed and puck movement entering the offensive zone would scare any goaltender out of the building. That's what I expect to see coming from the newfound linemates heading into the 2025-26 season.

When facing a tough opponent like the Edmonton Oilers or the Florida Panthers, it's essential to trot out your best unit whenever possible. You can't simply cram in middle-line guys like the Seattle Kraken and expect results. That's why Marner is on the Golden Knights. McCrimmon expects to win now and that's what the stud winger's supposed to bring.

If Training Camp and the preseason are any indication, this should be what fans should expect from the newest duo. An up-tempo game that fits the VGK style will do wonders for a team looking to retain the Stanley Cup this season, making them one of the league's best. The rest of the league better beware because the "evil empire" is here.