You know, I love thinking about different topics during the dead of the Vegas Golden Knights offseason. It makes for entertaining brainstorming sessions that can lead to fun topics for readers to check out.
Sometimes, those ideas pop up from said readers. That came in the form of Pokémon starters, suggested by the same people who brought up the Mario Kart idea. You know who you are and my hat's off to you for helping me!
So let's dive into this topic, shall we? Since Pokémon has gotten to the point where there are so many starters, we will cap it off at the sixth generation. After all, that's the current generation I'm playing and I want to play off that theme. Gotta catch 'em all!
Bulbasaur
I once had this co-worker named Syd who was, well, temperamental. She would rant on about her guy problems and didn't like "being saved or helped." I guess that's what the Gen Z kids are nowadays. Crazy.
Anyways, she was a huge Bulbasaur fan. These players seem more chill and would probably pick up the Grass-type because they like relaxing.
Keegan Kolesar, Adin Hill
Charmander
If you're looking to market to the kids, you need a Pokémon that will evolve into such a figure. They must be noticeable and recognizable by their peers once they evolve into Charizard. Enter these obvious names for the job.
Mitch Marner, Jack Eichel
Squirtle
Okay, bare with me for a moment. I believe William Karlsson would pick Squirtle. I can imagine the Misfit picking the Water-type with his buddy Reilly Smith and forming their own Squirtle Squad.
Reilly Smith, William Karlsson, Jonathan Marchessault
Chikorita
Chikorita's just... there. But Chikorita looks ravishing as a Pokémon. I bet Brett Howden would pick the Grass-type because they both have lush things on their heads.
Brett Howden
Cyndaquil
Mark Stone seems like the type of guy that'd pick Cyndaquil. He's full of expressions and emotion, echoing that of the little Fire-type.
Mark Stone
Totodile
Totodile is a chaotic little b*st*rd. All this tiny croc does is sound like Donald Duck on a fine white powder and jump around like crazy. Why not match him with a former Golden Knight in Ryan Reaves? Heck, throw in Jeremy Lauzon because he hits people.
Ryan Reaves, Jeremy Lauzon
Treecko
Treecko always seemed like a laid-back Pokémon. Noah Hanifin always seems like a laid-back Golden Knights defenseman. Therefore, we have a match!
Noah Hanifin
Torchic
Ivan Barbashev seems like he'd love Torchic. He seems like the type of guy that would have chickens with him when nobody's looking.
Ivan Barbashev
Mudkip
So... I heard you like Tomas Hertl? Fun must be always, especially with Mudkip.
Tomas Hertl
Turtwig
Colton Sissons seems like a Turtwig guy. Quiet and mellow, just like the Pokémon. I dig this pick (Get it? Because Turtwig evolves into a Ground-type who's also a Grass-type).
Colton Sissons
Chimchar
This just screams Brandon Saad. Saad has a bulldog mentality that thrives on endless adrenaline. Chimchar evolves into the perfect Pokémon for the former Blackhawks star to use.
Brandon Saad
Piplup
I think Akira Schmid would love a little Piplup, as would Shea Theodore. They seem like the type of dudes that need a little penguin in their lives.
Shea Theodore, Akira Schmid
Snivy
Snivy's cool, calm, and collected. They also evolve into royalty... in a sense. Let's go with the king of longevity, Brayden McNabb.
Brayden McNabb
Tepig
Pigs are cute, aren't they? In this sense, they are since Tepig looks like it's wearing a diaper. So let's go with the newest Golden Knights star, Kaeden Korczak. He's the new kid on the block and deserves the title.
Kaedan Korczak
Oshawatt
Oshawatt's... an interesting fellow. They just have this vacant look on its face that doesn't have much to it. However, it evolves into a serious Pokemon, which fits Alex Pietrangelo perfectly.
Alex Pietrangelo
Chespin
I don't know why. But Chespin screams Zach Whitecloud. The Grass-type evolves into Chesnaught, which learns Spiky Shield. I can imagine Whitecloud using said Spiky Shield in a hockey game.
Zach Whitecloud
Fennekin
Let's go with Ben Hutton here. He seems like he loves magic and would probably go with a Pokémon that uses said magic.
Ben Hutton
Froakie
Froakie just seems... quiet. This makes the little Water-type perfect for a player like Pavel Dorofeyev since both carry a quiet lifestyle. Plus, Froakie evolves into Greninja, who's faster and a strong offensive Pokémon.
Pavel Dorofeyev