The Vegas Golden Knights are the newest NHL team. Over the next month I will take a look at why they took who they did from each NHL franchise.
The Vegas Golden Knights are the 31st NHL franchise. As an expansion team they were allowed to take one player (who was eligible to be drafted) from the other 30 NHL teams. Each team was able to protect either seven forwards, three defenceman and one goaltender or eight skaters and one goaltender. The full rules can be found here. The 18th team we are going to look at is the New Jersey Devils.
New Jersey Devils
The Devils finished in 27th last season, but won the NHL Lottery Draft, given the right to draft first overall. With that being said, New Jersey did not have many options for Vegas to choose from. The Knights could have gone with a goalie in Keith Kinkaid or Scott Wedgewood.
Kinkaid put up decent numbers on one of the worst defensive teams last season. He is a good backup and could become a starter. While that is not likely, it could still happen. He has good reflexes and is quick, but his positioning needs some work.
Wedgewood would have been a good pick for the Golden Knights. Despite not having much playing time in the NHL and AHL, he has been able to make the most of the time he is given. Last season he missed time because of injury, but in the 10 games he played, he was solid goaltender. He has not been given the chance to be a starter in the AHL or NHL and being 25 years old, he is running out of time. If given the chance this season, he could be a shock to many hockey fans.
The Knights decided to draft Jon Merrill. The 25-year-old defenceman has four years of NHL experience. He is a strong skater and is a decent puck mover, but he still makes too many bad plays. If he could improve his offensive game, he could become a top four defenceman for the Knights.
What Other Options Did They Have?
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Vegas could have drafted a goaltender in Kinkaid or Wedgewood. They also could have drafted a former first rounder trying to make a name for them self in Beau Bennett and Stefan Noesen.
Bennett was drafted 20th overall, by the Pittsburgh Penguins, during the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. He has been in the awkward stage of being too good for the AHL but not good enough for the NHL. Bennett has not reached his full potential, but he could be a late bloomer. While that is most likely not the case, a change of scenery could have helped him.
Noesen was drafted 21st overall, by the Ottawa Senators, during the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Like Bennett, Noesen is in the awkward stage between the AHL and NHL. He has a good shot, but is not a strong enough skater. If he works on his foot speed, he could reach the potential he showed in juniors.
Overview
The Golden Knights decided to draft Merrill, but they had other options. Kinkaid, Wedgewood, Bennett and Noesen would have been good choices for Vegas. Kinkaid and Wedgewood could have been solid backups for them. Bennett and Noesen are trying to prove themselves and could have been given the right opportunity with Vegas.
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Overall, I believe Merrill was the right choice. He has shown what he can do, but just needs to be more consistent.