Vegas Golden Knights 2019 NHL Draft: First Round Mock Draft

BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA - MAY 23: #6 Jack Hughes of United States in action during the 2019 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Slovakia quarter final game between Russia and United States at Ondrej Nepela Arena on May 23, 2019 in Bratislava, Slovakia. (Photo by RvS.Media/Monika Majer/Getty Images)
BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA - MAY 23: #6 Jack Hughes of United States in action during the 2019 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Slovakia quarter final game between Russia and United States at Ondrej Nepela Arena on May 23, 2019 in Bratislava, Slovakia. (Photo by RvS.Media/Monika Majer/Getty Images)
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VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – JUNE 21: Top Prospect Jack Hughes arrives prior to the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – JUNE 21: Top Prospect Jack Hughes arrives prior to the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)

And, with the 17th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, the Vegas Golden Knights select…

It feels like Christmas Eve as the Vegas Golden Knights put the final touches to their preparations for a busy and momentous weekend ahead.

The first round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft takes place in Vancouver on Friday (4 pm PT / 8 pm ET), where the Golden Knights will have a pick for the first time since 2017.

Saturday will also be a busy day for the Knights who will have eight picks spread out between rounds two, three, four and five.

That is significant for the franchise given that they now have a golden opportunity to replenish their farm system and address a number of needs, in addition to filling out their depth chart with a slew of talented prospects.

All eyes will be on who they select with the No.17 pick, however, with generational talent Spencer Knight a potential franchise goalie in the making.

Thomas Harley has all the tools required to eventually become a stud blueliner, while players in the ilk of Ryan Suzuki, Alex Newhook and Peyton Krebs have the potential to morph into elite playmakers.

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The 2019 NHL Entry Draft is absolutely loaded with top-end talent and it is also one of the deepest in years.

There are a slew of stud offensive talents available in the first round in particular, with a handful of defensive lynchpins littered in for good measure.

And, if that wasn’t enough, there is also the best goaltending prospect to come out of America since LA Kings goalie Jonathan Quick.

We all know by now that franchise center Jack Hughes and Finnish sensation Kaapo Kakko are a lock to be taken with the first two picks of the draft, which are held by the New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers respectively.

After that, it is anybody’s guess with there being a plethora of young studs all worthy of being taken in the first round.

Ahead of proceedings getting underway on Friday (4 pm PT / 8pm ET), we at Vegas Hockey Knight have put together our mock draft for the first round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.

Have a look and let us know what you think by contacting us via Twitter!

But, before we delve in, please keep in mind that these are just our predictions based on knowledge we have built up while studying this year’s draft class. Let’s get on with it!