One common theme in the first three mock drafts has been because of one attribute: size. There's plenty of it and it fits the Vegas Golden Knights perfectly. Players like Nicolas Hague (6'6", 230 pounds) and Alex Pietrangelo (6'3", 215 pounds) swarm the blue line, getting their sticks out for a puck to poach.
The result? A transition game where names like Jack Eichel and Pavel Dorofeyev blister down the ice for an odd-man rush. As long as it isn't a breakaway, they're scoring every time.
It's like watching Vincent Van Gogh create art in real time. You're watching a masterpiece unfold with every powerful stroke of the brush. Each movement is filled with emotion and determination, eventually evolving into an unbelievable creation.
The Golden Knights can make that happen again, only through the NHL Draft. Once again, the theme's size and the focus shall remain on the defensemen. Who will be picked up by Kelly McCrimmon in hopes of either being traded for a big piece or becoming said piece?
The latest mock draft tells us this story, with some familiar faces on the scene. However, there's a catch. Newer faces are tagging along for the ride. There's even a goaltender that's joining the fray, giving the Golden Knights more prospect depth at the position.
Get ready because it's another mock draft. We're going big (and I mean REALLY BIG) in the NHL draft, giving Vegas some sizable pieces.
Want the link to the biggest mock draft yet? Click here.
Kelly McCrimmon gets some size from the NHL Draft to grow the Vegas Golden Knights
The first thing Golden Knights fans will notice is that size is taken with the first two picks. Roman Bausov (6'5", 190 pounds) and Jacob Rombach (6'6", 195 pounds) are two defensemen who can grow into their frames and become viable bottom-pairing blue liners.
You know what that means, right? Replacements for Nicolas Hague! Names like Carter Amico have been brought up along with Sean Barnhill. Why not add two more to the mix?
Round | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
Second | Roman Bausov, D | MHK Dynamo St. Petersburg |
Third | Jacob Rombach, D | University of Minnesota |
Fourth | Carson Cameron, D | Peterborough Petes |
Fifth | Jacob Kvasnicka, RW | University of Minnesota |
Sixth | Semyon Frolov, G | Ladia Togliatii |
Sixth | Jasper Kuhta, C | HIFK U20 |
Guess who's joining the defenseman party? None other than Carson Cameron, who's made yet another appearance on the mock draft! He's just chillin' in Las Vegas and having fun on Fremont Street.
You can't have a pure defensive approach without Cameron, after all. That's especially true if he moves the puck well. This past season, he notched 16 assists in 63 games with the Peterborough Petes, making him a versatile two-way defender.
Let's focus on Roman Bausov for a second
Looking at Bausov, you'll see a tall, lanky defender. However, the St. Petersburg native also has a great stride and plenty of defensive range. That bodes well for a sticks-out philosophy employed by Bruce Cassidy.
One thing that also stands out with the 18-year-old, as was the case with Barnhill, was his ability to match his opponent's footwork. That's important considering his 6'6" frame would make it difficult for other players his size.
In fact, it's been a common theme with many draft pieces here. Being big is a major theme of the Golden Knights. That's why they were the tallest team (188.2 cm in effective height) and the second-heaviest team (205.4 pounds in effective weight) this past season, according to LeftWingLock.
That theme carries over here, where even the goaltender is 6'3". Semyon Frolov would be a big addition to the team, given his combination of relative size and quick skating ability.
The theme of size fits perfectly with the Golden Knights like a glove. It represents everything the team's about, combining fluid movements with sweeping sticks. It reminds you of a certain 6'6" defenseman, only with "Haguer Bombs." It makes you want to go, "Bombs away!"