Media personality Charles Barkley Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Golden Knights star snubbed Charles Barkley

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 6/10/23

Charles Barkley is well-known for his Hall of Fame basketball career and an equally-successful television run. However, that doesn't mean today's NHL stars know who he is. Even if TNT, the company Barkley works for, is broadcasting this year's Stanley Cup Final.

In attendance for Game 4 Saturday in Florida, Barkley revealed the details behind a hilarious interaction with Vegas Golden Knights star Jack Eichel on Friday.

"Yesterday, I was at the hotel, I walked up to Jack Eichel and said how great he was. I think he had zero idea who I was," Barkley said. "I said, 'Hey, Mr. Eichel, it's an honor, you're a great player.' But, he looked at me like, 'Who the hell are you?' It was pretty funny."

Charles Barkley got humbled by... Jack Eichel? pic.twitter.com/PuMdISlS84
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 11, 2023

Despite Eichel's snub, Barkley is quickly ingraining himself into the NHL family. Appearing on the NHL on TNT pregame show Saturday, Barkley spoke about hanging out with analyst Paul Bissonnette, who recently introduced him to Vegas netminder Jonathan Quick and forward Phil Kessel.

Meanwhile, Barkley is locked in on the Final, correctly picking the winner in all three games. He told the TNT crew he hoped for a "long series" beginning with another Panthers' win in Game 4.

Exposed to the best the NHL has to offer, the battle for the Stanley Cup, Barkley is falling in love with hockey.

"It is so awesome. I love the fact that you guys only care about winning the Stanley Cup, and that's what all sports should be," Barkley said. "I really wanted to win the NBA Championship, but the hockey guys, they're the best at it. We just want to win the Stanley Cup. We don't care about load management. We're not trying to pack super teams. That's why I love the sport so much."

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