In this week's roundtable, we're looking ahead to the Vegas Golden Knights - the 31st NHL franchise, which will officially have a team in three weeks. And if it were up to us, Jaromir Jagr, Kevin Shattenkirk, and Marc-Andre Fleury would be on it.
Jaromir Jagr
Sean O'Leary: This one is likely up to No. 68 himself, but what better place for one of the most popular players in the NHL than the entertainment capital of the world?
Jagr is an unrestricted free agent, and probably doesn't fit in Florida's protection plans. Should he choose to sign a new contract - as he's indicated several times he'd like to - Vegas would be a terrific destination for the ageless wonder.
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The 45-year-old is coming off a 46-point season with the Florida Panthers that moved him into second on the all-time scoring list.
A player of his stature would provide entertainment value at the very least. Jagr has never shied away from the bright lights that come with stardom, and his fun-loving attitude could be a perfect match for Sin City.
Kevin Shattenkirk
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Josh Gold-Smith: The Golden Knights are surely looking to make a splash, and what better way to do that than by signing one of the biggest fish on the free-agent market?
Shattenkirk will come with a hefty price tag, and he's likely to be more interested in playing for a contender - probably on the East Coast - than an expansion franchise, but Vegas should make a run at him nonetheless.
The consistently productive 28-year-old would give Vegas both a proven power-play quarterback and a player with plenty of playoff experience.
Shattenkirk could anchor the blue line for years, and given the parity we've seen in the NHL recently, it's not inconceivable that he could be a key cog on a team that quickly becomes competitive.
The opportunity to play for an established Cup hopeful is one thing, but the Golden Knights should sell him on having a chance to lead a young club while helping it become a contender in one of America's most exciting cities.
Marc-Andre Fleury
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Flip Livingstone: Marc-Andre Fleury's career as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins will likely come to an end with 375 career regular-season wins, 44 shutouts, and, most importantly, two - maybe three - Stanley Cup rings.
Sure, he plays on the same squad as Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, but regardless, Fleury's a proven goaltender with a winning pedigree - two characteristics the Golden Knights need in their man between the pipes.
Ryan Miller and Mike Condon have also been mentioned as potential options in goal for Vegas, but neither is as playoff-tested or decorated as the Flower.
Stats and track record aside, Fleury can still play at an elite level - he proved that in the playoffs. He'll turn 33 in late November and would offer the Golden Knights the kind of stability in the crease that most expansion teams can only long for.
Fleury's a perfect fit on the strip, and would immediately put Vegas on the hockey map.
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