2019 NHL Draft: Three options for Vegas Golden Knights with the No.17 pick
Who will the Vegas Golden Knights take with the No.17 overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft on Friday? That is the question on everybody’s lips in Sin City.
We will attempt to answer that question here but, one thing is for certain, the Vegas Golden Knights enter the draft this weekend with a boatload of ammunition.
They boast a treasure chest of draft picks, nine in total, headlined by the No.17 overall selection in the first round which will take place on Friday, before rounds two through seven follow on Saturday.
This year’s draft is of paramount importance for Vegas given the fact that, not only do they have the opportunity to take a high-end talent in the first round, but they can also replenish and bolster their farm system with their eight other picks in what is a very deep draft.
But, this article will focus on who the Knights could select with their 17th overall pick, the first time they have had a pick inside the first round since taking Cody Glass with the No.6 pick in 2017.
When it comes to the draft many experts will argue that it isn’t about addressing needs, but rather more about selecting the best talent available when you are on the clock.
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Vegas will have a chance to do just that during the first round on Friday (4 pm PT / 8 pm ET) with this year’s draft a loaded one when it comes to high-end forwards.
That is something the Golden Knights are short on in their farm system, especially when Cody Glass makes the expected leap to the NHL in 2019-20.
There are a glut of talented playmakers and scorers the Knights could take in the first round, one of which we will profile in this article.
Alternatively, the front office could use the No.17 pick on a stud defenseman of which there could be a slew available in the meaty part of the first round.
Or, the Golden Knights could go off the beaten track and take a netminder in the first round, which is about as a rare a feat as a UFO sighting (okay, slight exaggeration but you get our drift).
So, with that in mind, we have picked out a high-end stud in each position that we think could be a realistic option for the Vegas Golden Knights at No.17, starting with a goalie that could well be a generational talent…
Spencer Knight, G, 18
Goalies very rarely get taken in the first round, only three have been selected from 2012 onwards (Andrei Vasilevskiy, 19th in 2012, Ilya Samsonov, 22nd in 2015, Jake Oettinger, 26th in 2017), but Spencer Knight could buck that trend this year.
He’s arguably the best American goaltending prospect to emerge in years and he has all the tools required both physically and mentally to be able to morph into an elite NHL goalie one day.
It appears a lock that Knight will go in the first round, with some mock drafts having the 18-year-old as high as the No.12 pick.
However, if Knight is still on the board by the time it is Vegas’ turn to go on the clock, then the front office would be wise to select their future heir to the throne to Marc-Andre Fleury.
Prospect Profile
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 198 lb
Date of Birth: Apr 19, 2001
Position: Goalie
Born: America
Catches: Left
A product of the famous USNTDP program, Knight has given every indication that he has what it takes to become a franchise goalie in the NHL and, as we all know, you need an elite goaltender in order to be able to compete for championships.
Knight, at 6’3″, is built to be a modern-day NHL goalie and scouts have been impressed by his sheer athleticism, combined with the quickness of his glove.
His positioning is also impressive and, although still very young, he has very few blemishes on his copybook which will act as a huge source of encouragement for NHL General Managers.
Knight posted a 1.51 GAA and a .936 SV% in six games at this year’s U18 tournament in Sweden, while he put up a .913 save percentage for the U.S. National U18 Team and a .903 save percentage in the USHL.
He’s a once-in-a-decade netminding talent and, one more positive to consider here, he will have time to develop and hone his craft should he get selected by Vegas with Fleury signed through until 2022.
Plus, with a surname like his, Knight would be an absolute marketing dream for the Vegas Golden Knights.
Thomas Harley, D, 17
We’ve mentioned Thomas Harley a lot on this site this week and with good reason, the kid is an absolute stud and is a lock to go in the first round on Friday.
The Syracuse native had an outstanding year for the Mississauga Steelheads in the OHL, posting 11 goals and 47 assists for 58 points in 68 regular season games, in addition to four points (four assists) in playoff outings.
Harley also had four points (one goal, three assists) in seven games for the Canada U18 team at the U18 World Junior Championships.
Blessed with size, outstanding skating ability and good hockey smarts, Harley has shot up the rankings and could be selected just outside the top 10 on Friday.
Prospect Profile
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 192 lb
Date of Birth: Aug 19, 2001
2018-19 Team: Mississauga Steelheads
Position: Defenseman
Born: Canada
Shot: Left-shot
His sublime skating skills will allow him to transition out of the zone both quickly and efficiently, which is vital in the modern-day NHL.
There are a slew of high-end defensemen available in the first round but Harley has emerged as one of the most promising prospects, thanks in part to his offensive prowess and ability to move the puck with flair.
Vegas are able to boast a boatload of stud blueliners in their farm system but, after giving up Erik Brannstrom in the trade for Mark Stone, selecting a player of Harley’s ilk would go someway to making up for that loss.
We at Vegas Hockey Knight are going to stick our necks on the line and predict that, if still on the board, the Golden Knights will take notice of the hype and take Thomas Harley with the No.17 pick.
Ryan Suzuki, C, 18
Suzuki is a name already familiar to fans of the Vegas Golden Knights given that Nick, Ryan’s older brother, was drafted by the franchise with the 13th overall pick in the 2017 Entry Draft.
Nick is now with the Montreal Canadians, of course, after being dealt there as part of the Max Pacioretty trade, but could his brother follow in his footsteps and land in Sin City?
There are strong indications to suggest so with Ryan Suzuki tabbed as a high-end two-way forward with endless potential.
Tabbed as a superb playmaker with elite hockey smarts, excellent skating ability, sublime vision and a bucketload of creative, Suzuki has all the weapons to be able to succeed in the NHL and join the wave of exciting young talent that is currently taking the league by storm.
The Vegas farm system is severely lacking an offensive punch at the moment and they will need a creative juggernaut once Cody Glass makes the full-time leap to the NHL, which is expected to be sooner rather than later.
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Suzuki would tick all of those boxes and there is no doubt the Golden Knights front office would have done their homework on the prospect, having been given a clear insight into his character too.
Ryan tallied 25 goals and 50 assists for 75 points in 66 games for the Barrie Colts in the OHL this year, earning rave reviews along the way.
Should he still be available come pick No.17 then don’t be surprised if Ryan becomes the second Suzuki in franchise history to be selected by the Golden Knights.
Prospect Profile
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 181 lb
Date of Birth: May 28, 2001
2018-19 Team: Barrie Colts
Position: Center
Born: Canada
Shot: Left-shot