The 2020 NHL Entry Draft is now in the books for the Vegas Golden Knights.
It was a long day for the Vegas Golden Knights with Rounds Two through Seven taking just under eight hours to complete. Yes, eight. It was a mammoth marathon for all teams involved.
But the Golden Knights finished off their day by taking two big prospects that will add some size to their prospect pool.
Noah Ellis, D
Selected out of Des Moines in the USHL with the No. 184 overall pick, Ellis is a well-rounded defenseman who can play in all situations.
He’s a strong skater with good size at 6-foot-2 and 192 lbs and he’s considered to be a very good and responsible player in his own zone.
Granted, the offensive upside isn’t high but Ellis projects to be a solid stay-at-home defenseman who can log big minutes and play in all situations.
He recorded 11 points (5 G, 6 A) in 47 games for the Des Moines Buccaneers in 2019-20, and is committed to play for UMass in 2021-22.
Ellis was the second defenseman drafted by the Golden Knights in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft behind Third Round pick Lukas Cormier.
Maxim Marushev, F
The Golden Knights finished the day by selecting Russian forward Maxim Marushev with the 215th overall pick.
At 21-years-old Marushev is old compared to those drafted around him, and he could be NHL ready sooner rather than later.
A true 200-foot centre at 6-foot-1 and 170 lbs, Marushev plays a physical game and could develop into a checking forward for the Golden Knights.
He had one assist in seven games for AK Bars Kazan in the AHL last season, but lit it up for Bars Kazan in the VHL with 23 goals and 17 assists for 40 points in 35 games.
Marushev has two points in five games in the VHL so far this season.
Conclusion
That is the 2020 NHL Entry Draft in the books for the Vegas Golden Knights, and it was a productive one.
They selected six prospects in total and made a trade with the Detroit Red Wings to move up into the Fifth Round to select a goalie in Jesper Vikman.
The highlight will of course be the First Round pick, with the Golden Knights taking elite playmaker Brendan Brisson No.29 overall.
Brisson has a lot of upside and we’ll be taking a deep dive on the prospect over the coming days while we will also be putting a bow on the 2020 NHL Draft in addition to looking ahead to Free Agency on Friday.
Thanks for sticking with us and keep an eye out for loads more content shortly!