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Vegas Golden Knights: Should They Tank For First Overall?

By Michael Joubran

TORONTO, ON - JULY 6 -Prospect Rasmus Dahlin during the practice.Don Meehan's agency, Newport Sports Management, held a camp camp for his top prospects for the 2018 NHL draft.J (Carlos Osorio/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JULY 6 -Prospect Rasmus Dahlin during the practice.Don Meehan's agency, Newport Sports Management, held a camp camp for his top prospects for the 2018 NHL draft.J (Carlos Osorio/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /
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The Vegas Golden Knights are the 31st NHL organization.

The 2017-18 season will be the first year for the Vegas Golden Knights. While some people may want to see them fight for a playoff spot, I think they should fight for the first overall pick.

The 2018 NHL Entry Draft could be a very good one with two elite players leading the way. Rasmus Dahlin and Andrei Svechnikov lead the 2018 class and either could be a great addition to the Golden Knights’ core.

Rasmus Dahlin

Dahlin is the first defensive prospect since Aaron Ekblad – drafted in 2014 – to be considered a candidate to be drafted first overall. He is a 6’2, 181 pound defenceman and is left-handed. On top of that, he still has time to grow and could become an even harder player to play against. Last season with the Frolunda HC J20 of the SuperElit league, Dahlin produced 22 points in 24 games. With his strong production with the J20 team – despite being one of the youngest players on the team – he was called up to play in the SHL.

In the SHL, he produced 3 points in 26 games. While those numbers are below average, for a 17-year-old, the fact that he is even in the SHL is outstanding. He proved his ability to adapt quick during the playoffs. In 14 games with the team, he had 5 points. He still has another season to go before being drafted, in that time he will be able to prove that he is an elite defenceman.

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I believe that Dahlin is a great player and that he will be able to make the jump into the NHL as an 18-year-old. If Vegas can find a way to get Dahlin, they should go for it, he will be a huge addition to their backend.

Andrei Svechnikov

Svechnikov is a left-handed player on the right-wing, which, in my opinion, is a very nice dynamic to have. Playing on the opposite wing give you a different angle of the net and some players excel on their opposite wing. That is why superstars such as Alex Ovechkin, Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrick Kane all play on their off-wings.

Last season with the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the USHL, Svechnikov had 58 points in 48 games. He is a very strong skater and has an elite wrist shot. On top of that, he has great playmaking abilities, making him an offensive threat.

If the Knights are not able to get Dahlin, then Svechnikov would be a great second choice. His offensive talents would be a great addition to their top six and possibly first line.

Conclusion

I believe that the Knights should tank for the first overall pick. They have a decent roster but it is not good enough to make the playoffs, let alone win the Stanley Cup. If they are able to get the first overall pick, they should draft one of Dahlin or Svechnikov.

Dahlin is an elite defenceman who could be a huge addition to Vegas’ backend. Svechnikov is an offensive threat who could be a top a first line forward.

Next: Expansion Draft Columbus Blue Jackets (9/30)

Finally, if the Knights can find a way to get the first overall pick, I believe that Dahlin would be the better player to draft.

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