On Tuesday, the Vegas Golden Knights signed Tuomas Uronen to a three-year entry-level contract. The Finnish prospect made his name at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, scoring two goals and an assist. He earned a silver medal with Finland in the tournament.
But Uronen is well-known for his time with the Kingston Frontenacs. He scored 90 points (38 goals and 52 assists) in 63 games for the OHL club. Those 90 points were tied for the team lead and earned him the OHL's Player of the Month honors in January.
That was after scoring 23 points in nine games in January (10 goals and 13 assists). He was also a solid postseason contributor, scoring 13 points (five goals and eight assists in 11 games) in the 2025 OHL playoffs. Uronen was selected in the sixth round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft (192nd overall).
Considering the Golden Knights are hurting for skating prospects, the Finnish forward could provide some future relief. Trevor Connelly and Mathieu Cataford have proven they have unlimited potential as NHL players. However, there could be room for Uronen as well.
What Tuomas Uronen brings to the table for the Vegas Golden Knights
As mentioned, the Vegas Golden Knights don't have many viable skating prospects in the farm system. Sure, you have your Connelly's and Catafords of the world. But what good does that do if you're lacking in other guys driving to the net?
Enter Tuomas Uronen. He's exactly what the doctor ordered, driving the puck to the net and protecting it well. The 20-year-old also has a quick, hard release, making him ideal for special teams.
He's got the potential to be a solid second-line player for the Golden Knights, jumping on the wing with respectable line-drivers (think of Tomas Hertl). Imagine if a player like Hertl comes in alongside Uronen towards the net. That would be a scary sight, wouldn't it?
Of course, he still needs time to develop his game. The good news is he has plenty of size to his frame (Rhymes Like Dimes!). That should help him ease into the NHL level easily and lessen the burden of a difficult learning curve.
Sometimes, it takes a small step to being respectable. Yes, the Golden Knights' prospect system has a ways to go before becoming viable, sans the goaltending. However, getting an emerging farmhand like Uronen is a good start.