Analyzing the Golden Knights Future Stars
#10: Connor Corcoran, RHD, Fort Wayne Komets
Connor Corcoran is currently my 10th ranked prospect in the Vegas Golden Knights organization. Being a defenseman, he’s got a long road ahead of him but he could get his chance soon enough if he plays to his potential.
Age: 21
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 192 lbs.
Shot: Right
Drafted: Fifth-round in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft
Breakdown
There isn’t much out there on the defenseman but that is understandable. Corcoran, has spent the last couple seasons in the ECHL with the Fort Wayne Komets. However, he has made two different stints with the Henderson Silver Knights over the last couple seasons.
In Corcoran’s time with the Komets, he’s been very productive. Having played in 32 games between last season and this season, he’s totaled 11 goals and 18 assists for a total of 29 points. However, what Corcoran has lacked in some of the little things, he’s always found ways to be productive. Which, is very important when trying to win games.
Connor Corcoran before making his debut in the ECHL with the Fort Wayne Komets, was in the OHL for three seasons. In those three seasons in the OHL he played in 193 games and he actually played great hockey. He had 32 goals, 78 assists for a total of 110 points. As a defenseman, that is very respectable.
However, despite not seeing much time in the AHL, there are some traits that could help get Corcoran a true chance. He is after all a 6’2″ strong defenseman who plays a physical game in the defensive zone and has a good, hard shot to complement that. I mean with the Golden Knights affiliate, he has played in eight games and has three goals.
He’s not a great skater by any stretch and he has shown bad decision making at times, but when you consider how he plays his game, he could still eventually find himself becoming a regular for the Henderson Silver Knights. But, it’s very unlikely that he ever see’s time with the Golden Knights.
#9: Logan Thompson, G, Henderson Silver Knights
Logan Thompson is currently the Vegas Golden Knights top goalie prospect and rightfully so. Although the strides he’s taken hasn’t quite lived up to expectations, he has shown he could potentially be a fringe starter in the league.
Age: 24
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 181 lbs.
Catches: R
Drafted: Undrafted free agent signed by the Vegas Golden Knights
Breakdown
Logan Thompson is currently the Vegas Golden Knights top goalie prospect, but hasn’t really risen to the occasion. Now, the hopes I have for him are probably a little bit higher than most because I think he’s got so much potential that hasn’t been unlocked but that doesn’t change the fact that he still is the Golden Knights top goalie prospect.
Now, for some of you guys you may think that Jiji Patera is the Golden Knights top goalie prospect or maybe some of you think that Isaiah Saville is. After reviewing all the goalies stats and watching some of their games and highlights, for me, I think it’s Logan Thompson.
Thompson is currently the starter for the Henderson Silver Knights and some of you may recall that Logan Thompson has even played in a NHL game this year. While Robin Lehner was hurt, Logan Thompson was re-called from the AHL. After Laurent Brossoit got multiple starts, the Golden Knights gave Thompson the start against the Nashville Predators.
In that game he showed promise despite getting the loss. But facing the Predators isn’t easy. I mean, they are a very good team with a lot of talent. I think he performed pretty well given the circumstance.
He showed the ability to move quickly in the crease, he made multiple very good pad saves, deflected the puck into open zones, and make good reads. He was simply bested by the experience and the speed of the Nashville Predators. However, looking at what he did in the AHL shows that he should be given more chances in the NHL.
Logan Thompson last season for the Henderson Silver Knights played in 23 games and had a goal allowed average of 1.96 and a save percentage of .943 all the while having a record of 16-6-2.
Looking ahead to this season, he hasn’t really cooled off that much. He’s played in 24 games this season and has a goals allowed average of 2.67 and a save percentage of .925. Which, yes. That is a decline but still very respectable numbers.
#6: Daniil Chayka, LHD, Guelph Storm
Daniil Chayka is my number sixth ranked prospect for the Vegas Golden Knights and this is where things really start to get good.
Age: 19
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 181 lbs.
Shoots: Left
Drafted: 2021 2nd-Round by Vegas Golden Knights
Breakdown
Daniil Chayka was drafted by the Vegas Golden Knights in the second round this past year. Chayka who was one ‘my guys’ in this class due to his two-way talent as a defenseman, was probably my favorite pick.
Chayka spent time before getting drafted in the OHL with Guelph Storm. Chayka has spent three seasons with Guelph Storm and it was rightfully so. Chayka’s first season in the OHL was not really all that productive. In 56 games he only recorded five goals and nine assists for 14 total points.
For a two-way defenseman who was known as a productive player as well as a very solid defenseman, I’m sure that was disappointing for him. However, in his second stint with the Guelph Storm he made great strides in his game.
In his second stint in the OHL with the Guelph Storm he once again played in 56 games but this time he produced. In those 56 games he managed to score 11 goals and 23 assists for 34 total points. Not to mention he finished with a +/- of +9.
Looking ahead to the current season he played in 40 games and has seven goals and 22 assists for 29 total points. He’s managed to be very productive in every aspect of his game, but there are still some concerns I have.
Chayka although a very long and length defenseman with a long reach to disrupt and breakup plays, but he is a below-average puck handler and does not show great traits with his ability to work in breakouts. Now, with that being said, that’s not to say that he can’t be on the ice during them but he shouldn’t be the one setting them up and carrying the puck up the ice.
But, when you look at the big picture, he has the necessary traits that would allow him to be a pretty good pro. With some development in his game as far as working breakouts and fine tuning up his decision making with the puck when in transition, he could truly become a top four defenseman for the Golden Knights.
#5: Zach Dean, C, Gatineau Olympiques
Zach Dean was the Vegas Golden Knights first overall pick in this years draft. Can he be the future Vegas Golden Knights center? We’ll maybe. But for right now he’s our fifth ranked prospect.
Age: 19
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 179 lbs.
Shoot: Left
Draft: 2021 1st Round by the Vegas Golden Knights
Breakdown
Zach Dean was the Vegas Golden Knights first-round pick in the 2021 NHL entry draft. Quite frankly, it’s understandable.
Dean plays a well rounded game and produces well at the center position. In his time playing at a high level, he’s produced pretty much every season. That includes the QMJHL, U16 AAA, and the NLBAAAHL.
Zach Dean is currently playing in the QMJHL with the Gatineau Olympiques and is performing quite well. In this current season that Dean is in, he’s played in 15 games and has seven goals and 10 assists for 17 total points. It’s nice to see him rebound after a rough statistical season last year with the same team.
Last season Dean had played 23 games and only had 10 goals and 10 assists for 20 points. Maybe that doesn’t look to bad, but he’s been a point per game player his entire career and last season he did not show that. However, he appears to be rebounding well and proving once again why he was a good choice for the Golden Knights.
Looking into the player that we, as Vegas Golden Knight fans, will be getting- just know we’re in good hands.
Dean is a very good player on all aspects of his game. Could improve defensively, but there really isn’t much to not like. He’s always moving and trying to create space on offense and always pressuring on the defensive side making sure that the opposition doesn’t have enough space to make plays.
Looking into the offensive parts of his game, he has very quick hands which bodes well when he moves the puck up the ice in transition. He has a good wrist shot, he has the ability to drive to the net with a good combination of speed and strength. Furthermore, he does a very good job at shielding the puck on his stick as he moves to the net.
He recently just signed his three year entry-level contract with the Vegas Golden Knights and hopefully this pick works out well for the Knights.
#4: Kaedan Korczak, RHD, Henderson Silver Knights
Kaedan Korczak is currently my fourth ranked Vegas Golden Knights prospect. Having already made his NHL debut, we’ve already got a look at his talent. However, without a bigger sample size there are things you definitely don’t know.
Age: 21
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 192 lbs.
Hand: Right
Drafted: 2nd Round Draft pick in 2019 by the Vegas Golden Knights
Breakdown
Kaedan Korczak is one of the better defensive prospects in the Golden Knights system. Well, actually I think it’s completely fair to say that he is the best defensive defenseman prospect in the Knights system.
Korczak who was drafted by the Vegas Golden Knights in the second-round in the 2019 NHL entry draft, has made a name for himself due to his size and strength. He plays strong in the defensive zone, attacks the puck well, and isn’t afraid of a challenge. He’ll go after anybody and everybody in order to get the puck and enforce pain on the other team.
Korczak uses his size to fill space, disrupt passes, and backcheck. However, the thing that I think stands out to the Golden Knights the most is his willingness to drop the gloves and protect his teammates. Which, is definitely something the Knights are lacking. The Golden Knights currently don’t really have an enforcer. That’s something that I feel would give the Knights an edge.
However, to every good thing there is always bad and the thing that need’s to be talked about is Korczak’s lacking offensive talent.
The current day NHL doesn’t quite revolve around stay-at-home defenseman like it used to. The league has altered to a two-way game which means the front office and coaches expect offensive production from all positions. Well, obviously that excludes goalie unless your Pekka Rinne and like to take to shot attempts when facing an empty-net. But the Knights don’t have that.
The lack of production only stims from his time with the Henderson Silver Knights in the AHL. When he was in the WHL, he actually had seasons with the Kelowna Rockets that he was very productive.
In the 2018-19 season Korczak played in 68 games for the Kelowna Rockets and had four goals and 29 assists for a total of 33 points. Which, is considered pretty good given his style of play. However, his next stint with the Rockets was even better.
In the 2019-20 season Korczak played in 60 games for the Rockets. In those 60 games he had 11 goals and 38 assists for a total of 49 points. Furthermore, he had a +/- of +7.
Now, those numbers aren’t really all that great, but that’s not his style. He’s a defensive defenseman that shows the potential to be a good third-paring defenseman.
#3: Pavel Dorofeyev, LW, Henderson Silver Knights
Pavel Dorofeyev is currently my second ranked prospect in the Golden Knights prospect pool. The left winger has already made his NHL debut, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t fit the criteria.
Age: 21
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 176 lbs.
Shoot: Left
Drafted: 3rd Round pick in 2019 by the Vegas Golden Knights
Breakdown
Pavel Dorofeyev has already made his NHL debut with the Vegas Golden Knights but since he’s only 21. Therefore, he still fits the criteria as a ‘prospect’ and he is the Golden Knights third-ranked prospect.
Dorofeyev has been a top prospect for the Golden Knights since being drafted in 2019 in the third-round. Dorofeyev had previously spent a lot of time in the KHL and MHL. Never haven been a very productive player when looking at the stats, that shouldn’t take away from the talent he posses on the offensive side of the puck. That’s showing this season.
Dorofeyev, after making his NHL debut against the Seattle Kraken, was spent back down to their affiliate the Henderson Silver Knights. So far this season he’s played in 36 games and has 16 goals and 14 assists for 30 points. Although that’s not quite a point per game, it’s still very respectable compared to his last couple seasons.
Dorofeyev isn’t really that good of a skater, but it’s more due to effort. He doesn’t particularly skate with urgency which leads to him being a lazy skater. That statement, although harsh, it somewhat inaccurate. It’s the consistency he lacks. He’s not necessarily a bad skater, but he needs to find a way to work harder to earn a true shot in the league.
So now that I covered the bad, let’s look at the good.
Dorofeyev has been known for his + shot since getting drafted. No, that isn’t underselling it. It’s seriously a great shot.
He has a strong release that allows him to score along the perimeter, he can snap shot well from the slot, and yet he has good enough puck handling that he can make a move to the inside/outside and score close to the net.
He could find time in the NHL sooner rather than later, but how he will do is something well have to see. In order for him to stick, he’ll likely have to find more dimensions to his game and improve his skating ability.
#2: Lukas Cormier, LHD, Charlottetown Islanders
Lukas Cormier was one of my favorite picks in the 2020 NHL draft, and it’s understandable. Personally, I can’t believe he fell to the third-round but he did. Now, the Vegas Golden Knights have a potential superstar.
Age: 19
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 176 lbs.
Shoot: Left
Drafted: Drafted in the third-round of the 2020 NHL Draft by the Golden Knights
Breakdown
Lukas Cormier is probably the consensus second ranked Golden Knights prospect and there shouldn’t be much debate. Cormier, as I said above was one of my favorite prospects in the 2020 NHL draft, and the fact the Knights got him in the third-round was surprising and a steal.
Why did he fall is a question that’ll continue to blow my mind, but I suppose I shouldn’t be complaining. I mean after all, he is a Vegas Golden Knights prospect now. So, that’s good.
Cormier has spent most of his time in the QMJHL with the Charlottetown Islanders and has performed well almost every season.
In his 2020-21 season with the Islanders he played in 39 games and had 16 goals and 38 assists for 54 total points. To cap off those amazing numbers, he also had a +/- of +35.
This season with the Islanders he’s played in 30 games and has 17 goals and 25 assists for a total of 42 points. Once again, he dominated defensively with a +20 score.
He’s a great all-around player and the Knights are going to be incredibly lucky to have him on their roster moving forward. If he can continue playing how he’s played the last couple seasons, he’ll be in the AHL next season for sure. If he plays well there, I presume the Knights will try to get him into the NHL.
#1: Brendan Brisson, C, University of Michigan
Brendan Brisson. The Future Max Pacioretty- literally.
Age: 20
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 185 lbs.
Shoots: Left
Drafted: Drafted by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 1st Round of the 2020 NHL Draft
Breakdown
Brendan Brisson is currently a wing for the University of Michigan and the growth he has had as a player there is incredible. However, the one thing that stands out with Brisson is the similarities in his game to former Wolverine, and current Golden Knight, Max Pacioretty.
Brisson who currently plays the wing with former second-overall pick by the Seattle Kraken, Matthew Beniers. Furthermore, he also was on a line with fifth overall pick by the Columbus Blue Jackets, Kent Johnson. Between playing with those two, scoring was pretty easy for him.
Brisson is currently playing for team USA in the Olympics and is playing pretty well. He has played in three games and has two goals. Which, as you can tell, is a small sample size. But the fact that he is scoring is promising.
But, let’s talk about the player we have in Brendan Brisson and why I feel he should be compared to Max Pacioretty.
Brisson is a average skater in terms of speed, but the style in which he plays doesn’t need speed. Therefore, as far as I’m concerned it’s obsolete. Now, I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t a Michigan fan. But the way I chose to look at it is the fact that I know his game pretty well.
Brisson, even though he isn’t necessarily the best skater on the ice and doesn’t have a big frame to him, he plays a great offensive game. With a one-timer that just pops off the screen, a great wrist shot, a terrific snap shot, the ability to find angles and direct the puck using misinterpretations with the angles.
With that shot that he’s known for it makes him a huge PP1 threat that need’s to be watched. Once again with his one-timer being top tier, he has to be watched at all times.
The one thing that need’s to be worked on the most is his tendency to try and be too fancy at points. There were times during games that he’d try to do too much or make a unnecessary play that led to a breakaway or having to start a breakup again.
The talent is there and he has a natural act for scoring, but he will more than likely need a year in the AHL to fine tune some of his tendencies before getting a shot in the NHL with the Golden Knights.