Vegas Golden Knights: Three Prospects to trade up for on Day Two
There are three standout stars the Vegas Golden Knights should consider trading up for.
It is Day Two of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft and the Vegas Golden Knights have four picks in the remaining six Rounds.
They won’t go on the clock until Round Three with the No. 68 overall pick, although there should still be plenty of talent on the board by that point.
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However, there was a lot of high-end talent that ended up falling out of the First Round and there will be some notable prospects up for grabs early in the Second Round.
There are a handful of players in particular that could have been taken late in the opening round, and those teams picking at the top of the Second will certainly have the chance to significantly bolster their farm system.
So, should the Golden Knights consider trading up?
After taking high-end playmaker Brendan Brisson with the No. 29 overall pick on Tuesday, the Knights could be tempted to make a notable move up in order to add another difference maker.
They could package some of their later picks together in order to move up into the Second Round, where there will certainly be plenty of choice.
So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the three players the Golden Knights could consider drafting if they decided to trade up to get into the Second Round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.
Let’s delve right in…
Jeremie Poirier, D, Saint John – QMJHL
Poirier was a prospect we talked a lot about prior to Round One and he’s still on the board heading into Day Two.
An absolute offensive stud, Poirier is a high-end playmaker who boasts a quick release and is also a very strong skater.
He would elevate Vegas’ transition game and he could morph into a high-end quarterback on the power play in the National Hockey League.
With elite vision, sublime passing ability and just a nose for offense, Poirier would add a significant offensive punch to most teams in the NHL.
Granted, there are some notable weaknesses in his own zone and Poirier would have to iron out certain kinks in order to succeed on the world’s biggest stage.
However, if paired with a stay-at-home defenseman, there is no doubt that Poirier could flourish and he would also be perfect for the Golden Knights’ system in terms of getting the puck out of the zone quickly and cleanly.
It would be a surprise if Poirier didn’t go off the board early in the Second Round, however, so the Golden Knights would have to move up quite a bit in order to get the blueliner.
2. Jan Mysak, C, Hamilton – OHL
There will be a lot of teams interested in Jan Mysak early in Round Two, so this is northing more than a fantasy pick.
But, if the Golden Knights could somehow pull off an early trade that would propel them to the top of Round Two, then Mysak should be a player they strongly consider drafting.
Although he lacks size and physicality at 6-foot and 181 lbs, Mysak has generated a lot of buzz from an early age and you can see why.
Highly skilled and incredibly quick, Mysak is highly effective on the forecheck in the offensive zone and he also boasts a high hockey IQ.
He’s a north-south skater and he was effective for the Hamilton Bulldogs in the OHL in 2019-20, putting up 25 points (15 G, 10 A) in 22 games.
Mysak does have some upside and he could develop nicely into a real deadly depth scorer for a team in the National Hockey League.
3. Justin Sourdif, RW, Vancouver Giants- WHL
It wouldn’t be a Vegas Golden Knights Draft without a pick from the Western Hockey League, right?
Well, it isn’t likely that the Golden Knights won’t take a player from the WHL at some point during Day Two, and there could be a high value pick waiting for them if they are willing to move up into Round Two.
Justin Sourdif has excelled in the WHL with the Vancouver Giants, recording 54 points (26 G, 28 A) in 57 games in 2019-20 following a 46 point year the season before.
The right shot boasts a powerful release and he’s able to place his shots, which makes him a valuable commodity already.
Able to shoot from almost anywhere on the ice and also showing a willingness to crash to the net, Sourdif boasts all the intangibles needed to become a deadly scorer in the National Hockey League.
He’s incredibly athletic and physical and his soft hands allows him to make some high-end plays in the offensive zone.
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Sourdif is a tenacious competitor who wins a lot of puck and one-on-one battles and, while he lacks speed, he would be a good fit for a lot of teams given his high compete level.