Vegas Golden Knights: Expansion Draft Toronto Maple Leafs

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 27th team we are going to look at is the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Leafs surprised many hockey fans by making the playoffs last season. They have one of the deepest teams, causing Vegas to be able to grab a talented player. The Knights could have drafted Kerby Rychel or Seth Griffith.

Rychel is an offensively talented player, who plays a very edgy game. With his edgy game comes a lot of penalty minutes. Last season in the AHL, he had 118 penalty minutes in 73 games. He also produced 52 points in that span, showing his offensive gifts as well. The 22-year-old could become a top nine player in the NHL, he just needs a shot.

Griffith is one of the best players in the AHL. While he produces at an above point per game pace in the AHL, he has not been able to translate his game to the NHL. That could be because of a lack of ice time when he plays in the NHL. This also could be because of his below average skating. While this would not affect him much in the AHL, it would hurt him in the NHL, which it clearly does.

The Golden Knights decided to draft Brendan Leipsic. As a Leafs fan, that was the worst case scenario, but as a Knights fan, that was the best case scenario. Like Griffith, he is a star in the AHL. The difference between the two is that Leipsic can become a top nine, even a top six talent in the NHL. He has the speed and the skill to do so. The only thing holding him back is his height – he is 5’9 – but if you cannot touch him then he cannot get hurt.

What Other Options Did They Have?

More from Editorials

• Best Golden Knights prop bets for Stanley Cup Final Game 3
• Best Golden Knights NHL prop bets for Stanley Cup Final Game 2
• What is the Vegas Golden Knights’ goal song?
• Golden Knights prop bets for Stanley Cup Final Game 1
• Goaltender situation can improve with trade

Vegas could have drafted one of Rychel or Griffith from the Leafs. They ended up going with Leipsic, which I think was a great decision. If the Knights wanted a veteran then they could have went with Brian Boyle or Roman Polak.

Boyle is a bottom six forward, who can move up in the lineup when needed. The 6’7 centerman is also a great penalty killer with lots of NHL experience. His leadership qualities would have been very helpful to a young Vegas team. Despite that, with him being a UFA, the Knights were smart to not pick him and then lose him for nothing.

Polak is a bottom pairing defenceman, who like Boyle, can move up in the lineup when needed. While he is not a strong skater, he knows how to push the opposition towards the boards, keeping them away from the net. He is also a solid penalty killer and a great leader for younger players. Like Boyle, he was a UFA, meaning who could have left the Knights if he wanted to.

Overview

The Knights decided to draft Leipsic, which I think was the best choice. While he does not have much NHL experience, he has shown that he can play in the big leagues. His speed and skill can be difficult to play against. While Rychel and Griffith could also become good NHL players one day, I believe that Leipsic will be better than them. Boyle and Polak are both good veterans, but with them being UFAs, they could have left the Knights if they wanted to.

Next: VGK Signs Nic Hague and Dylan Ferguson

Overall, I believe that Leipsic will become a core piece to the Golden Knights future.