Vegas Golden Knights: Schneider almost makes too much sense at No. 29

The Vegas Golden Knights could stick with what they know with the No. 29 pick.

Happy Draft Day everyone! We are rapidly approaching Round One of the 2020 Entry Draft and it won’t be long before the Vegas Golden Knights are on the clock.

Holding the No.29 overall pick in the First Round, which will start at 4:00 p.m. PT with coverage on NBCSN, the Golden Knights will be able to add an absolute stud to their organization.

This year’s Draft class is loaded with high-end talent and the Knights should have plenty of prospects to choose from, despite picking at the end of the First Round.

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But there is one player in particular who just makes too much sense for the Golden Knights.

Braden Schneider.

The highly-rated defenseman is regarded as one of the best blueliners available this year but, due to the sheer amount of talent, he could slip late into the First Round.

If that’s the case then don’t be surprised if the Golden Knights pounce and take Schneider with the No.29 overall pick.

For starters, Schneider plays in the WHL and Vegas has a thing for that league with both Cody Glass (No. 6 overall, 2017) and Peyton Krebs (No. 17 overall, 2019) having cut their teeth in the WHL.

Furthermore, four of the Knights eight selections in the first two rounds of the Draft came from the WHL.

And, when you consider that Schneider plays for the Brandon Wheat Kings, a team that was until recently owned by Vegas General Manager Kelly McCrimmon, then you can see why the blueliner would be a logical pick.

After all, McCrimmon shares a long history with the Wheat Kings and he boasts an intricate understanding of both the organization and the WHL in general.

Therefore, McCrimmon and the rest of the front office will already have the inside track on Schneider and, should he fall into their laps, it would be hard to predict any other outcome than the Golden Knights taking the prospect.

You couldn’t blame them if they went that route, either.

We say that because Schneider could end up becoming the steal of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft if he does fall as low as the 29th overall pick.

Projected to go No. 24 overall to the Washington Capitals in The Athletic’s final Mock Draft, Schneider would immediately ascend to the top of the pile as one of the Knights’ brightest prospects with tremendous upside.

Ranked as the No.4 defensemen in North America by NHL Central Scouting, the right-shot would fill a pressing need on that side of the blueline and he has the potential to morph into the perfect partner for Shea Theodore one day.

Known for his defensive prowess, Schneider can impose his will on any game with thunderous hits, he can overpower opponents with his physicality and sheer will and he can also break up play with a composed stick on the ice.

Standing at 6-foot-2 and 209 lbs, Schneider is an imposing specimen and he’s only going to grow further, potentially giving the Golden Knights an absolute beast on the backend.

And, as physical as he is Schneider can also move the puck well, he has tremendous vision and he’ll be able to help with the transition game thanks to his patience on his outlets.

Vegas Head Coach Pete DeBoer puts heavy emphasis on clean breakouts and Schneider will give you just that with his elite vision and good skating ability.

Another huge plus point is the fact that the defenseman does have some offensive upside, putting up 42 points (7 G, 35 A) in 60 games for the Wheat Kings in 2019-20, demonstrating an ability to be able to jump in on the rush.

Next. Ghule could be an interesting pick. dark

Granted, Schneider isn’t likely to quarterback the power play but he can slot in on the penalty kill and could be the perfect partner for offensive powerhouse Shea Theodore one day.

Overall, there is a lot to like about Braden Schneider and he seems to tick a lot of boxes for the Vegas Golden Knights.

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