Vegas Golden Knights Entry Draft Outlook: Nico Hischier

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 2: Nico Hischier #18 of Team Switzerland celebrates one of his 2 goals against Team USA during a QuarterFinal game at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships at Air Canada Centre on January 2, 2017 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Team USA defeated Team Switzerland 3-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 2: Nico Hischier #18 of Team Switzerland celebrates one of his 2 goals against Team USA during a QuarterFinal game at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships at Air Canada Centre on January 2, 2017 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Team USA defeated Team Switzerland 3-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

Vegas Golden Knights and Nico Hischier a match made in heaven?

The Vegas Golden Knights long-term success is important. Building through the draft is the only way of getting to where they want to be. It’s exciting that the Vegas Golden Knights are going to draft their first ever player. And if things go their way in the lottery for a potential first or second overall pick, you can’t go wrong with Nico Hischier.

Hischier just entered in his first season of Canadien Junior Hockey in the QMJHL after coming over from Switzerland. The 18-year-old had a standout campaign for the Halifax Mooseheads accumulating 38 Goals, 48 Assists and 86 Points. Hischier is also off to a good start in the QMJHL playoffs by getting two Points in two games.

Hischier is a little undersized for a Center at an even 6’0 tall and 174 lbs. Obviously he’s going to have to put on some more weight to withstand the grind of a long 82 game schedule. He’s also going to have to work out some kinks on the defensive side of the puck. If he can develop and grow into more of an all around player, he’ll be successful wherever he goes.

You may ask why is Hischier this highly touted if he has a number of flaws in his game. Well that answer is simple. Hischier has that “it” factor about him. Maybe not more than Nolan Patrick does. But it’s fair to say Hischier could prevail faster at the NHL level than Patrick does. Hischier has an NHL level of speed and quickness  and that works in today’s NHL.

What Hischier also brings is a great playmaking ability and can set players up beautifully even when they’re in tight spots. Another thing that stands out about the Swiss native is his incredible poise with the puck. Even though he is smaller player, he will engage in board battles often, which makes him pretty special. Not every 18-year-old can say that.

Hischier not only brings those tools the table but he also brings personality. Not many players at his age has a bright personality and he’s not afraid to show it. It seems like he’s a very fun guy to be around in the locker room.

Vegas Golden Knights General Manger George McPhee may rather take Patrick over Hischier as his number one pick. But if McPhee got the number two pick, he would be very happy that there still is a player on the board that could be a potential superstar. And it looks like Hischier reeks of that potential superstar quality at the NHL level.

Next: Vegas Golden Knights Could Be In Trouble With Raiders Coming To Town.

If they don’t land in the top two in the lottery, I could potentially see George McPhee trading down to stockpile draft picks.  But it would be awfully cool to land one of the first two picks in the NHL entry draft. Additionally, It would put the Golden Knights franchise on the map and ahead of the team’s plans. Nico Hischier is player that Vegas can promote to be one of the first big professional sports superstars in Las Vegas. That has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?