What happened: Jack Eichel defended the Golden Knights’ reputation during end-of-season media availability on Tuesday. Responding to a study labeling Vegas as the league's most hated team, the center noted that players consistently keep the franchise off their no-trade lists.

Why it matters: The comments follow a six-game loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals. Despite the defeat, Eichel emphasized the franchise's continued appeal to elite talent as the team enters an offseason defined by coaching changes.

What to watch: The Golden Knights transition to the offseason searching for a new head coach following the departure of John Tortorella.