The 8 most important Vegas Golden Knights in franchise history

Remember that article about the most important Original Misfits in Vegas Golden Knights history? Well, that highlighted the players who were around for the team's first game. This time, we're going big, and I mean BIG, with this next list.

We're looking at the most influential players in Golden Knights history altogether. Considering the franchise has had tremendous success right out of the gate, there are so many names to go with.

I guess that's the "price" you pay for being successful, if you even want to call it that. But as they say: "Haters make me famous," especially when you have so many influential players from Vegas.

So let's chop the number to eight players. Or in this case, we're growing the number. Either way, there are a lot of players who've made the Golden Knights into one of the most successful (and reviled) teams in the modern NHL landscape.

You probably know the names by heart, especially if you've been with the team since "Day F****** One." Let's count down the most influential players in Vegas's illustrious--but short--history in the NHL.

8.) Marc-Andre Fleury

The number of franchise records and a Vezina Trophy will tell you that Flower made a solid impact. Without him, would the Golden Knights have made the Stanley Cup Final in their first season?

7.) Shea Theodore

Aside from being the franchise leader in career assists, Theodore has aided the power play on numerous fronts. That included last season with 17 power play assists, leading the group to the second-best percentage in the NHL (28.3%).

6.) Reilly Smith

Now, I was debating whether I should rank Marc-Andre Fleury or Smith higher. Some people on Twitter (or X, whatever you want to call it) did some solid convincing as to why Smith should be ranked higher than Fleury. He's more tenured and has 127 goals and 170 assists in seven seasons.

5.) Jonathan Marchessualt

Who's the franchise leader in career goals scored with 192?

Who has the most career points in franchise history with 417?

Who has a Conn Smythe trophy to his name?

It's none other than Jonathan Marchessault.

4.) Alex Pietrangelo

Sometimes, the most important move is the boldest move you make. That was the case with Alex Pietrangelo, who already won a Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues upon arrival. Adding another in 2023 certainly helped, giving the Golden Knights a solid top-pair defenseman in the process.

3.) William Karlsson

The Golden Knights took a gamble on an unproven center from the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2017. The result was a key forward who surpassed his 16 goals and 31 assists in Columbus in the first season alone. The rest is history, as the Original Misfit stabilized the forward group with excellent all-around play.

2.) Mark Stone

Without Mark Stone, you don't have *say it with me, class* 108 goals and 215 assists.

Without Stone, you don't have a spark plug who supercharges your team with a bolt of emotion.

Without Stone, you don't have a Captain who leads you to the Stanley Cup.

1.) Jack Eichel

Last season proved that Eichel is the most important Golden Knights figure around. Scoring a franchise-record 66 assists and 94 points set the standard for the team. Now, if the team can get him signed to a new deal, that'd be excellent.