Vegas Golden Knights 2019 NHL Draft: Trading on up

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REGINA, SK – MAY 25: Arthur Kaliyev #34 of Hamilton Bulldogs warms up with a shot on net against the Regina Pats at Brandt Centre – Evraz Place on May 25, 2018 in Regina, Canada. (Photo by Marissa Baecker/Getty Images) /

Arthur Kaliyev, RW, Hamilton – OHL

Expected to be taken just outside of the top ten in the first round, Kaliyev was just one of a handful of elite forwards who were left on the board.

Kaliyev’s potential is sky-high and he has a perfect blend of elite playmaking, goal-scoring, hockey smarts and an absolute cannon of a shot.

He finished fourth in the OHL this year with 51 goals, including 20 power play tucks, which would give the Knights another potent weapon on the man advantage.

Kaliyev had 102 points in total for Hamilton and he would add a scoring touch to the Vegas roster. The only blemish on his copybook is his compete level, but that could be ironed out with age.

BOISBRIAND, QC – OCTOBER 20: Raphael Lavoie #50 of the Halifax Mooseheads skates against the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada during the QMJHL game at Centre d’Excellence Sports Rousseau on October 20, 2017 in Boisbriand, Quebec, Canada. The Halifax Mooseheads defeated the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada 4-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

Raphael Lavoie, RW, Halifax – QMJHL

Another shocking name to still be on the board heading into round two today, Lavoie is a hulking specimen at 6’4″ and 198 lb.

Not only does he offer plenty of size but he’s also a very skilled wing who can produce plenty of offense having tallied 32 goals and 41 assists for 73 points for Halifax in 2018-19.

He also had a remarkable 32 points (20 goals, 12 assists) in 23 playoff games and he’s the perfect blend of size, speed, skill and goal-scoring ability.

You can never have enough scoring and Lavoie would add a hell of an offensive punch to the Golden Knights.

BUFFALO, NY – MAY 30: Bobby Brink poses for a portrait at the 2019 NHL Scouting Combine on May 30, 2019 at the HarborCenter in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Bobby Brink, RW, Sioux City – USHL

The final player on our list is another player who was expected to go in the mid-to-late first round, but will no doubt end up going high in the second after slipping on day one.

Brink’s biggest downside is his skating, which he’ll have to improve on, but he makes up for it in his offensive production.

He was crowned the USHL’s Forward of the Year after registering 35 goals and 33 assists for 68 points in just 43 games.

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Brink is a gifted playmaker with a high hockey IQ and he would bring something different to the table for the Knights.

The second round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft is about to start now and we will see if Vegas does indeed look to trade up.

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