If the Vegas Golden Knights decide to go with a player with significant upside , Cody Glass is their guy.
The Vegas Golden Knights may be able to take chances in the expansion draft. However, the entry draft is a different story. As an expansion franchise, you need to make great selections right out of the gate and can’t afford to take players with high risk. The team absolutely has to make smart picks because if they don’t the Golden Knights will be at a huge disadvantage quickly.
If Vegas picks sixth or seventh in the entry draft, it would be a huge blow considering their lottery odds. Trading down is always an option and I definitely can see that happening to acquire more picks in the process. But if Vegas Golden Knights General Manager George McPhee does select sixth or seventh, Cody Glass looks like a solid choice.
Glass plays for the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League and has made quite a name for himself over the course of the year. Glass is having a breakout campaign with 32 Goals, 62 Assists and 94 Points in 69 games played. Not too shabby for an 18-year-old.
There isn’t many cons to Glass’s game at all really. There is one glaring component that Glass needs to overcome and that’s his size. The Winnipeg, Manitoba native is 6’2 but weighs only 180 lbs. I do feel confident he’ll be able to push and gain at least 10-15 more pounds which would only add to his strong well-rounded game.
Glass brings one of the best two-way games in this draft class. His playmaking ability is also a thrill to watch as he makes tape to tape passes look so easy. Before the WHL season started, Glass was expected to be picked in the fourth to fifth round range, boy have things changed.
The Winterhawks leader in Points is by far the most improved player in the draft since the start of the season. Glass has worked so hard on his skating and strength over the past year. He plays in all situations on the penalty kill, powerplay and five on five. An underrated aspect to the 18 year old’s game is his sneaky quick release.
As Glass gets bigger and stronger, it’ll be interesting to see his development as he continues to progress for the Winterhawks. Glass’s work ethic is unmatched and has significant upside if he pans out at the NHL level. His style is a lot like the style of Selke trophy award winner Patrice Bergeron.
The Portland Winterhawks are currently in the WHL playoffs as the team just advanced to the second round after an upset over the first place Prince George Cougars. Glass had a lot to do with the team’s success in that series. He was a point per game player in the first round matchup with two Goals, four Assists and six Points in six games.
Next: There's A Huge Chance The Vegas Golden Knights Take Michael Rasmussen In The First Round.
All in all, Glass is one of the most exciting players in the draft. Due to his meteoric rise through the rankings, scouts all over the NHL are forced to pay attention to him. It’ll be interesting if Glass somehow cracks the top five at the end of season rankings. Hopefully McPhee, Golden Knights Assistant General Manger Kelly McCrimmon and the scouting staff are watching closely. Because if they are, they have to be liking what they’re seeing from Cody Glass.