I was watching Metalocalypse, getting a good laugh while writing an article. After all, you must put the boots to your daily tasks, medium-style. But while I was writing, I realized something related to the NHL Draft.
Ladies and gentlemen, it's mock draft season. No, I'm not talking about the outrageous hairdos from Mel Kiper or Peter Schrager drooling over a midwestern NFL team. Instead, you're getting mock drafts for 32 NHL teams. Yes, that includes the Vegas Golden Knights, who haven't cared too much about their picks.
You see, there's a particular theme associated with Kelly McCrimmon and company. They... Like trading away their draft picks, specifically the first-round picks. Trevor Connelly, you're on high alert.
Luckily for the potential first-round draft picks, the Golden Knights don't have a first-round pick this year. In fact, they don't have one until 2027. Therefore, McCrimmon must shift his attention toward other players.
Still, it's time for the mock draft. That's right, dear reader. We're diving into all seven picks in the 2025 NHL Draft and who McCrimmon will pick in the draft. In fact, two specific positions stood out in the first mock draft. Who's being picked in this hypothetical scenario?
Dissecting the first Vegas Golden Knights mock draft for the 2025 NHL Draft
Two specific positions stood out in this mock draft. One position was a glaring issue during the Stanley Cup playoffs, where the Golden Knights couldn't generate enough offense to make the Western Conference Final. Here's a breakdown of the mock draft (for a look at the complete mock draft, click the link here).
Name | Pick | Position |
|---|---|---|
Karl Annborn (HV71, J20-Nationell) | 64 | Defenseman |
Vojtech Cihar (HC Energie Karlovy Vary, Czechia) | 66 | Center |
Carson Cameron (Peterborough Petes, OHL) | 95 | Defenseman |
Gavin Cornforth (Dubuque Fighting Saints, USHL) | 128 | Right wing |
Travis Hayes (Soo Greyhounds, OHL) | 160 | Right wing |
Noah Laberge (Acadie-Bathurst Titan, QMJHL) | 191 | Defenseman |
Jacob Kvasnicka (U.S. National U18 Team, NTDP) | 192 | Right wing |
If you look at the positional side, you'll see nothing but defensemen and right wing players. The later rounds see a particular lean towards the wing, with names such as Gavin Cornforth and Travis Hayes popping up.
But the defensemen also have some offensive capabilities. Take Karl Annborn as a perfect example. He's a two-way defenseman who plots his next move during a hockey game. Think of him as a Swedish Alex Pietrangelo, only smaller.
This season was a prime example of his offensive prowess. Annborn notched 21 assists with HV71 J20, making him a notable complementary piece in the transition game.
The same can be said for Cameron, who scored 22 assists with the Peterborough Petes in 2023-24. But his best season was 2021-22, where he scored eight goals and 30 assists in 27 games with the Central Ontario Wolves.
If Kelly McCrimmon wants to take an offense-first NHL Draft, this is the ultimate draft. Plenty of puck-moving skaters reign supreme in this mock draft, including transition prowess and solid skating ability. It'll also ease the tension from having staples like Pietrangelo gone. It's almost like there isn't a need to trade these picks!