The Vegas Golden Knights are coming up with some of the quiet offseasons, but it is quite known that the leadership role is expected to be in discussion for the team in the years to come. That is what Jakub Demek is hoping to see in his future with the 2022-23 Stanley Cup Final champions after the team has seen some of their key personnel depart from the roster.

At the age of 21, Demek is definitely keen to prove his worth in the game this season with more of a leadership role, starting with their training camp. It is a mandatory routine for the Golden Knights to send sophomore players to one more development camp as soon as they complete their first full season in the NHL.

For Demek, this is all about ensuring that he will have a bright future in the team, and it seems that it would be the prime focus of his campaigns in the squad with the way he is bringing his impressive game to the table. For now, it is him taking baby steps toward longevity with the Golden Knights.

Embracing a New Role

Demek noted that the last piece of development that players need is leadership. That’s what he had in mind when he took his time to mentor the younger players in the team last month, and now he is expected to take on a role as one of the experienced players in the team, hinting at a possible leadership role in the long run.

“When I was a young guy, I needed some guys to show me how things worked here,” Demek said of his dedication to helping young Vegas players hone their craft in the team’s developmental camp. “I’m trying to be helpful, like the older guys who helped me.”

Demek also said that he is aiming to become a bigger, faster, and stronger player for the team. The Golden Knights’ fourth-rounder proved to be quite the player who will continue to understand the team’s system, figuring out how to be in the right place at the right time.

“When you come from junior, it’s all about skill and speed,” said Demek. “Everyone at the pro level is so skilled, really fast and strong. It’s harder to score and get some points. With experience, it’s getting easier and easier.”

A New Leadership Needed in Vegas

The Vegas Golden Knights have lost some of its key players in free agency. The most notable of those departures came from Jonathan Marchessault, who joined the Nashville Predators in a new deal after the Golden Knights got eliminated in the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Demek being keen to take on a leadership role hints at how he is hoping to build his legacy around the club. So far, he is still young, and his production seems to be quite the hopeful spark that would make him a pivotal piece in the rotation. In the 2023-24 season alone, Demek scored 16 points, coming off with seven goals and nine assists in 55 games.

“We’re trying to focus on a different part of the game,” Demek said of his constant hunger to develop his game and help Vegas win games in the best way possible. I’m also analyzing my game. I’m working on all parts of the game to improve my skills.”