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(Photo Credit: NHL.com)

It’s time for more lighthearted content. This time NHL stars discuss the best and worst jersey numbers in the league, and of course, Jack Eichel and Tomas Hertl were participants. So, let’s start. Here are Eichel and Hertl’s favorite and least favorite hockey numbers across the NHL. As usual, popular numbers like 4, 7, 16, 19, and 91 are always ranked high. However, VGK star winger Mitch Marner forfeited #16 for a double-digit number that hadn’t been worn in team history. Now, you can spot Marner’s #93 on hundreds of fan jerseys across the valley.

Excluding #15 and #9, which numbers are Eichel’s favorite?

I really like 11. I wore it at the national program as a kid for a little bit. I think it looks nice. -Jack Eichel to NHL.com

In his career, the Golden Knights top center has worn two numbers since becoming a professional. He rocked #15 for his first three seasons in Buffalo but transitioned to #9 after teammate Evander Kane was no longer a Sabre. Since 2018, Eichel wore #9 in Buffalo for 166 games. He’s donned the same for 315 contests with Vegas and notably won a Stanley Cup in #9. By all accounts, the 11-year veteran is on pace to have his number retired and displayed on T-Mobile Arena’s rafters someday.

Burning Questions Entering The 26-27 Season For The Vegas Golden Knights

By Ken Boehlke

On August 14, 2026

In Team Ops

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

The 2025-26 season will go down as one of the weirdest years in Golden Knights history. For the first six months, in the regular season, they were barely an average team, battling through massive winning and losing swings and ultimately finishing with more losses than wins. Then, the playoffs began, and they turned into the team many believed they’d be all season, going on somewhat of a Cinderella run to the Stanley Cup Final, only to fall a few wins short.

It’s clear they are still a strong team, but the dichotomy of last year allows for a wide range of opinions on Season 10. Plus, a new coach, a couple of significant players leaving via trade, and another year on the legs of many of the veterans opens the door for even more speculation.

To me, the season will be determined based on the answers to these… burning questions.

Can the offensive-leaning blue line hold up defensively to insulate goaltending?

This question is listed first because if it is answered with a resounding no, not much else is going to matter. That seems unlikely, though, especially after the playoff run in which they held a few of the league’s best offenses down and made it look easy. Shea Theodore, Rasmus Andersson, and Noah Hanifin are all big-name defensemen who are known for their offensive contributions, but they all have plenty of ability to defend at a high level. The goalies took a lot of the wrath last season and rightfully so in many cases, but they are both clearly good enough that if the defending is good in front of them, they can not only hold up but thrive. VGK’s defending doesn’t have to be elite all season long for them to put up enough points to reach the playoffs. It will have to be for two months to win those extra two games this postseason.

Finding The Right Fit For Parker Wotherspoon Will Be Crucial For VGK Defense

By Ken Boehlke

On August 13, 2026

In Personnel

(Photo Credit: @NHLBruins on X/Twitter)

A little over a year ago, the Pittsburgh Penguins took a shot on an under-utilized stay-at-home defenseman, signing Parker Wotherspoon to a two-year $1 million AAV deal as a free agent. Then, when training camp began, head coach Dan Muse decided to give the newcomer a shot on the top pair alongside three-time Norris winner Erik Karlsson. The pairing worked well instantly, and it eventually stuck for the entirety of the 2025-26 season, which saw the Penguins surprisingly make the playoffs.

Wotherspoon posted his best statistical season in just about every category. Goals, assists, points, games played, shots, time on ice, and takeaways were all blown out of the water in his fifth season in the NHL as a 28-year-old. He also led the Penguins in blocked shots and ranked second in hits.

It was a breakthrough season of epic proportions, and Pittsburgh fans and media couldn’t stop raving about the success story Wotherspoon had become in his first season as a Penguin.

So for everything that Parker Wotherspoon did in his own game and for everything he did that helped the team, and that helped specifically Eric Karlsson, if I had to grade year one of Parker Wotherspoon in Pittsburgh, I’d give him an A+ and I’d give him a higher grade if it was possible. It’s pretty darn close to 100% success rate for if looking back at year one of Parker Wotherspoon. –Nick Belsky, Tip of the Ice-Burgh

Then, on the eve of free agency, in a bit of a stunner, the Golden Knights and Penguins swapped defensemen, with Wotherspoon coming to Vegas for Kaedan Korczak.

SinBin.vegas Podcast #359: Stone And Karlsson Free Agents

By Ken Boehlke

On August 12, 2026

In Podcast

As the offseason rolls along we dig into the next massive topic on the docket for VGK, the next contract of the captain and the OG Misfit, William Karlsson. Plus, a bit of a dive into the history of firing coaches. Hosted by Ken Boehlke and Jason Pothier.

Dot Vegas Domains is the presenting sponsor of the SinBin.vegas Podcast. Make your website stand out among the rest with the best domain on the Internet, .Vegas!

Why give Stone money now?
Utilizing LTIR
Difficult January
Season is too long
Poutine

And much more…

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VGK’s Stone One Of Five Captains On Expiring Contracts

By Jason Pothier

On August 11, 2026

In Team Ops

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

There are 22 NHL teams with a captain this season, with Mark Stone entering his sixth year in that role for Vegas and the final season of his eight-year contract. 17 team leaders have contracts beyond this upcoming season. The remaining five, including Stone, are possibly heading into training camp for the final time with their current team.

NHL Captains On Expiring Contracts

Jamie Benn (DAL): Signed a 1-year contract with $2.35M AAV on 7/03/26
Jared Spurgeon (MIN): Signed a 7-year contract with $7.575M AAV on 9/14/19
Sidney Crosby (PIT): Signed a 2-year contract with $8.7M AAV on 9/16/24
Mark Stone (VGK): Signed an 8-year contract with $9.5M AAV on 3/8/19
Alex Ovechkin (WAS): Signed a 1-year contract with $4.25M AAV on 7/2/25

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin signed a team-friendly, one year deal in early July. The league’s All-Time leading goal scorer is 40 years old and is entering his 22nd NHL season. All signs point to his retirement next summer. The same situation could apply to Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn. The 37-year-old penned an extremely discounted deal in early July as well. Benn is entering his 18th NHL season and wants to finish his career in North Texas.

The Golden Knights All-Decade Team

By Ken Boehlke

On August 10, 2026

In Fans

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

Season 10 is right around the corner as the Golden Knights look to build on their historic franchise start. Over the first nine seasons and into Year 10, there has been no shortage of defining players. So, we decided to build the All-Decade team. Rather than simply select the “best” players and fill them into a four-line, three-pair roster, we focused more on “roles” to determine who makes the team.

Top Line
Stone(C)-Eichel-Marchessault

While there are many choices, there really doesn’t need to be too much discussion over who would serve as the top line for this team. Clearly, Eichel is the center, obviously the best goal scorer in team history goes into his natural spot on the right, and the hockey-IQ genius captain swaps sides to round it out.

Shutdown Line
R.Smith-Karlsson-Marner

The Misfit Line was a godsend for the first half of the decade but there’s now a new perfect fit on the right wing. Prime Reilly Smith next to Karlsson and Marner would be the nastiest shutdown line in the entire league. Plus, they’d probably chip in a bunch of offense too.

Versatile 3rd Line
Pacioretty-Stephenson-Tuch

It started to get a little tough in this spot as players like Nic Roy, Erik Haula, and Paul Stastny deserved a shout, but in the end, the speed and finishing ability on this line would be filthy. The speed of both Stephenson and Tuch would create tons of space for Pacioretty to work his magic. Amazingly, this trio actually did play one game together in 2021 during the 56-game COVID season. The very next game Stone returned, and they never played together again.

Hertl, Stone And Other NHL’ers Admit Who Would Make Them Starstruck

By Jason Pothier

On August 8, 2026

In Team Ops

(Photo Credit: NHL.com)

Professional hockey players are no different than us. Although they are highly paid athletes, NHL’ers still admire and enjoy following the careers of others. For instance, VGK captain Mark Stone is an avid golfer and follows the PGA very closely. So, it’s no surprise as to which celebrity Stone admitted to being starstruck by.

Tiger Woods. I’ve idolized him since I was ten years old. He’s always been bigger than life for me. –Mark Stone to NHL.com

Vegas fans have heard countless stories about Stone’s passion for the links. Annually, he’s one of the Golden Knights’ best golfers, and to no surprise, he’s likely the most intense over 18 holes. Heck, in 2023 Stone took the Stanley Cup for a round of golf in Montana. The unrestricted free agent played 18 with fellow Stanley Cup champions Jonathan Marchessault, Brayden McNabb and Chandler Stepehenson. In the past, Stone declared Stephenson as one of the best golfers across the NHL. Stephenson didn’t disagree. The former Golden Knight went on to follow his words up with a hole in one in 2025.

SinBin.vegas

Praise Be To Foley, Vegas Golden Knights Hockey Website

Eichel Tests Jersey Number Knowledge, Best And Worst NHL Numbers

Burning Questions Entering The 26-27 Season For The Vegas Golden Knights

Finding The Right Fit For Parker Wotherspoon Will Be Crucial For VGK Defense

SinBin.vegas Podcast #359: Stone And Karlsson Free Agents

VGK’s Stone One Of Five Captains On Expiring Contracts

The Golden Knights All-Decade Team

Hertl, Stone And Other NHL’ers Admit Who Would Make Them Starstruck

Shop For VGK Gear

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