May 22, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (9) and Colorado Avalanche center Martin Necas (88) battle for control of the puck during the first period of game two of the Western Conference Final of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
May 22, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (9) and Colorado Avalanche center Martin Necas (88) battle for control of the puck during the first period of game two of the Western Conference Final of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
The Vegas Golden Knights remain one of the most talked-about teams in the NHL because of both their success and the criticism they receive.
They have reached the Stanley Cup Final three times since joining the league in 2017 and have won one championship. A recent Rotowire poll across the United States even named them the most-hated team in 11 states, more than any other NHL franchise.
However, Jack Eichel disagreed with the idea that the team is widely disliked inside the league. He responded to the “most-hated team” label and said players see the organization differently.
“I'll say this,” Eichel began after he was asked about the team being named the most-hated in the league. “If you ask guys in the league, Vegas ain't on people's 'no-trade' lists”, Eichel said.
Eichel also said that the Vegas Golden Knights are in a top place in the NHL where players want to join, stay, and compete.
“This is a place people want to be and (where) people want to play, and this is an organization that people want to be a part of, and I would say all the players in (the locker room) are very proud to represent the city and play for this organization, and there are a lot of amazing things that come with that.”
Since entering the league, Vegas has stayed competitive almost every year, missed the playoffs only once, and made many bold roster and coaching changes. Their aggressive way of building the team has made them different from many other NHL teams.
Jack Eichel’s comments show a big difference in opinion. There is a perception that many fans hate the Vegas Golden Knights because of their early success. But players see Vegas as a good team and a place they would like to play.
Why Players View Vegas as a Destination Team?
The Vegas Golden Knights remain an attractive destination because they compete for championships every year and regularly add top talent.
Jack Eichel said players focus on winning opportunities, not outside criticism. Vegas has quickly built a strong winning culture and remains one of the NHL’s top teams.
Even with criticism from outside, the Vegas Golden Knights are still exactly what Jack Eichel described. Players still want to join them, and the team is always in the championship race year after year.
What do you think? Why do NHL players still consider Vegas a top destination despite being the most-hated team? Comment your opinion below.
Read more at the NHL Fan Central.
Written by
Kapil Manghnani
Edited by
Kaamna Dwivedi