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Vegas Golden Knights: Young studs who could win a roster spot

ByAndrew Steele-Davis|
VANCOUVER, BC - DECEMBER 31: Cody Glass #8 of Canada celebrates after scoring a goal against Russia in Group A hockey action of the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship on December, 31, 2018 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BC - DECEMBER 31: Cody Glass #8 of Canada celebrates after scoring a goal against Russia in Group A hockey action of the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship on December, 31, 2018 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
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Nic Hague – Defenseman

The Golden Knights have a glut of young studs on the blueline in the farm system and Nic Hague has arguably the highest ceiling of all those blueliners.

Standing at 6’6″ and weighing in at 214 lb, Hague is a powerful, hulking specimen and he’s built to handle the hustle and bustle of the NHL. He isn’t afraid to use his size to his advantage either and he would suit the modern day style of the big league down to the ground.

The 20-year-old, who was drafted 34th overall by the Golden Knights in 2017, also has a hell of a shot on him and he would provide plenty of offensive production, as backed up by his 32 points (13 goals, 19 assists) for the Chicago Wolves in the AHL in 2018-19.

With Deryk Engelland set to hit free agency this summer and his return to the team uncertain, Vegas would be wise to let the veteran walk in order to free up both cap space and a full-time roster spot for Hague who is built and ready for the NHL.

EDMONTON, AB – APRIL 5: Zach Whitecloud #2 of the Vegas Golden Knights jumps over the boards during the game against the Edmonton Oilers on April 5, 2018 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)
EDMONTON, AB – APRIL 5: Zach Whitecloud #2 of the Vegas Golden Knights jumps over the boards during the game against the Edmonton Oilers on April 5, 2018 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)

Zach Whitecloud – Defenseman

Another highly-touted blueliner and another prospect who looks well equipped to challenge for a roster spot in 2019-20 once training camp opens.

Like Hague, Whitecloud boasts a formidable figure at 6’2″ and 209 lb and has been gaining expereince in the AHL with the Chicago Wolves.

In 74 games played, the defenseman had six goals and 22 assists for 28 points for the Wolves and the offensive side of his game is under-rated.

What isn’t overvalued is Whitecloud’s defensive prowess and the way he can move the puck with speed and help his team transition up ice. He also has one hell of a shot on him and he’s the kind of right-handed defenseman that this Vegas team needs.

Whitecloud is no stranger to the NHL, either, having made his big league debut for the Golden Knights against the Edmonton Oilers in 2017-18, posting a plus / minus rating of +3 in 16:42 minutes of ice time.

All in all, the Vegas Golden Knights have a boatload of prospects ready to make the jump to the NHL in 2019-20 and they would be wise to promote from within given the salary cap issues they face this offseason.

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