Vegas NHL franchise gets a name, but loses a 'Las'

The NHL's newest franchise officially has an identity, but the city also lost a piece of itself in the process.

Rather than be called the Las Vegas Golden Knights, ownership opted to drop the "Las" and stick with Vegas Golden Knights instead.

OFFICIAL: We are now YOUR Vegas Golden Knights. #BoldInGold https://t.co/6m5bthPyIY

— @VegasHockeyNHL

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Right after the announcement on Tuesday night, fans and NHL reporters seemed confused about the 3-letter alteration.

Thanks for telling me it's just "Vegas" guys. Anyway, who do you have going to the Stanley Cup Final? I have the Jose Sharks & York Rangers.

— @Steve_Dangle

Can't wait for that first game between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Angeles Kings

— @Real_ESPNLeBrun

"Las Vegas Golden Knights is a mouthful. Let's lose the first word."
"Vegas Golden Knights it is"
"No I meant—"
"Too late we made shirts"

— @HarrisonMooney

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Franchise majority owner Bill Foley has his own explanation for the shortened name.

Bill Foley said he went with "Vegas" instead of "Las Vegas" for the NHL team name because that is how most locals refer to the city. http://pic.twitter.com/TT9vsIuJd5

— @ArashMarkazi

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While FiveThirtyEight's Nate Silver was quick to point out that the team name is likely to get even shorter in the coming years.

This is probably going to become plain old Las Vegas Knights in a few years, a la Anaheim (Mighty) Ducks or Tampa Bay (Devil) Rays. https://t.co/KsMr5P51PE

— @NateSilver538

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Shortly after the announcement, other NHL franchises took the opportunity to welcome the Golden Knights to the league.

. @GoldenKnights it is! See you soon 👊 http://pic.twitter.com/BZuIs6HAcI

— @Canucks

.@VegasHockeyNHL We're ready for you, Vegas! http://pic.twitter.com/iqv2XY6vfy

— @CanadiensMTL

Welcome to the NHL family, @GoldenKnights! http://pic.twitter.com/Niay8kYacL

— @penguins

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While fans took the opportunity to, well, be NHL fans...

Breaking: the Vegas Golden Knights will have the unique power to bend the goal posts in their favor #vegashockey http://pic.twitter.com/9gxiizs4cs

— @ZachBlumy

The Goldeen Knights http://pic.twitter.com/D3udTE9vYo

— @wingingitmotown

What should the hockey team be named?
Vegas: Something simple like the Aces.
Vegas to Vegas: No, Golden Knights http://pic.twitter.com/0b1EFRVdzt

— @Paul_Wolfram

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While Vegas Golden Knights merchandise is now officially available, new fans will have to wait until June 2017 to buy jerseys with names of Vegas players on them.

The NHL expansion draft is set to take place on June 21.

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Vegas NHL franchise gets a name, but loses a 'Las'