Vegas Golden Knights: Ranking their captain candidates

Nate Schmidt

There is no doubt that Nate Schmidt is one of the most beloved players inside and outside of the locker room. From making pizza with Chef Wolfgang Puck to putting up 36 points in the 2017-18 season, there seems like there is nothing he cannot do.

After four seasons with the Washington Capitals, Schmidt came to Vegas via the expansion draft in the summer of 2017.  Since joining the Golden Knights, he has been Vegas’ primary defenseman and has exceeded many people’s expectations.

In 331 NHL games, Schmidt has scored 22 goals and has tallied 87 assists.  As for the 2018-19 season, he has nine goals and 21 assists in only 55 games played.

The 27-year-old defenseman sat out the first 20 games of the current season due to a failed drug test where they found minuscule traces of performance enhancement substances in his body. Instead of sitting out 20 games and feeling bad for himself, Schmidt flew to Vienna to play for a professional team there to keep in shape.

During his suspension, he received a six year, $35.7 million contract extension that will make him a UFA at the end of the 2024-25 season. This signing spoke volumes because it shows that Vegas instills trust in Schmidt regardless that he was suspended for performance enhancing substances.

By signing him long term, Vegas showed that they believe he is not only a crucial player to have on the ice, but off the ice as well. Schmidt is going into his prime and is developing himself as an elite NHL defenseman, which would make him a great mentor to the rest of the team. All of which are reasons to consider him to fill the captain vacancy.