The Future is Now; Reflecting on What Could’ve Been

Vegas Golden Knights Entry Draft History

The Vegas Golden Knights have become notorious for trading away their draft selections and/or picks, in order to acquire superstars. However, for right now, we want to take a look at the Vegas Golden Knights previous draft selections and knowing what we know now, how the Knights could look like today.

2017

1.6: Cody Glass, C, Portland Winterhawks

1.13: Nick Suzuki, C, Owen Sound Attack

1.15: Erik Brannstrom, D, HV71

2.34: Nicolas Hague, D, Mississauga Steelheads

2.62: Jake Leschyshyn, C, Regina Pats

3.65: Jonas Rondbjerg, C, Vaxjo Lakers j20

So there isn’t much that I’d change because, because it’d be unfair to only give the Knights players that are currently stars. However, there were a couple things I wish the Vegas Golden Knights would’ve done different.

First, Instead of taking Cody Glass at 6th overall, I would’ve preferred the Vegas Golden Knights to take current Carolina Hurricanes forward, Martin Necas. Next, I would’ve like them to stick with Nick Suzuki at 13th overall, and with their 15th pick, I wish they would’ve taken current wing, Jason Robertson.

2018

1.28: Joseph Veleno, C, Drummondville Voltigeurs(Detroit Red Wings Made this selection after trade to acquire Tomas Totar.)

2.61: Ivan Morozov, C, Momonty Yugry

3.92: Connor Dewar, C, Everett Silvertips(Minnesota Wild made this selection after the Knights traded for Alex Tuch)

Similar to what I said above, I’m not going to do anything to outrageously different, but in this article, I’m going to say that if the Vegas Golden Knights wouldn’t have traded for Tomas Tatar. If the Knights would’ve drafted Suzuki, Robertson, and Necas they wouldn’t have. So with that I’m going to re-draft their first-round pick and second-round picks.

With the first-round pick that they originally traded away, they will need to acquire a defenseman because they went all forwards in the previous draft. So with that, they should’ve selected St. Louis Blues top defenseman prospect, Scott Preunovich. With the second-round pick, I think they would’ve been better off selecting a goalie from the St. Louis Blues with Joel Hofer.

2019

1.17: Peyton Krebs, C, Kootenay Ice

2.41: Kaedan Korczak, D, Kelowna Rockets

3.79: Pavel Dorofeyev, LW, Metallurg Magnitogorsk

Honestly, this draft wasn’t bad. I mean all three of those guys are top prospects for both the Knights and Sabres. It’s unfortunate that Peyton Krebs is no longer a Vegas Golden Knight, but in this situation where we don’t make that trade, I like the team they have so far.

Peyton Krebs is still considered a top prospect in a stacked Buffalo Sabres prospect pool. Pavel Dorofeyev and Kaedan Korczak are both top prospects in the Vegas Golden Knights prospect pool so I’ll take it.

2020

1.29: Brendan Brisson, C, Chicago Steel

2.61: Egor Sokolov, LW, Cape Brenton Eagles(Draft Pick was made by the Ottawa Senators as apart of the Mark Stone trade)

3.68: Lukas Cormier, D, Charlottetown Islanders

3.91: Jackson Hallum, C, St. Thomas Academy Cadets

Honestly, at this point it’s too close to really get a gauge on if players will pan out or not so there isn’t much to talk about. So with that being said, let’s take a look at the current lineup should these moves had been made.

Forwards

Jason Robertson-Chandler Stephenson-Mark Stone

Martin Necas-Nick Suzuki-Alex Tuch

Jonathan Marchessault-William Karlsson-Reilly Smith

Nicolas Roy-Peyton Krebs-Evgenii Dadonov

Defenseman

Shea Theodore-Alex Pietrangelo

Nicolas Hague-Alec Martinez

Scott Preunovich-Zach Whitecloud

Goalies

Robin Lehner

Joel Hofer

Now, maybe it’s just me but this lineup here looks pretty good. With Jason Robertson filling in for Max Pacioretty, having Nick Suzuki and Martin Necas suiting up for the Knights, this lineup truly looks complete.