The Vegas Golden Knights had a busy Saturday, holding all of their draft picks in just one day. When the morning started, Vegas held picks 58, 91, 122, 154, 186 and 187 overall. Vegas started out by trading away picks 58 and 122 to the Nashville Predators in return for pick 55.
Following that trade, when pick 85, belonging to the Pittsburgh Penguins rolled around, it was announced that the Penguins would be trading the pick to Vegas in exchange for picks 91 and 154. The Golden Knights ended up with just four draft picks when it was all said and done.
In round two, with the 55nd overall pick, Vegas selected right-winger Jakob Ihs Wozniak. He is a power forward with a strong hockey IQ. Ihs-Wozniak spent the 2024-25 season with Lulea HF J20 where he scored 23 goals and 34 assists over 40 games. He sometimes opts to avoid the middle lane on the rush, but is an offesnively minded player. It has been said by a handful of scouts that he doesn't shoot the puck often enoug. Instead, he passes it despite there being a good scoring opportunity. His strengths do outweigh his weaknesses, though, making him a solid addition to Vegas' prospect pool especially if Nicolas Roy is moved for Mitch Marner.
With the 85th overall pick, the Knights selected Mateo Nobert, a left-shooting center from the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada of the QMJHL. Nobert scored 28 goals and 39 assists across 57 games during the 2024-25 season. He is am offesnive steal for the Golden Knights with his play-driving and consistent desire to compete.
He is known to be an energetic skater with good puck-control who is not afraid to shoot the puck. His strength does need to be improved in order to really up his game, and not be pushed off the puck easily.
The 186th overall selection saw Alexander Weiermair's name being called for the Vegas Golden Knights. He is a right-shoting center who spent the 2024-25 tearing it up for the Portland Winterhawks, with 21 goals and 25 assists across 46regular season games. During the Winterhawks' playoff run, Weiermar scored 10 goals and 13 assists through 18 games. He also played in nine games for the University of Denver where he has just two assists.
He is a 200-foot player with a strong motor. He holds control of the puck with ease and acted as a role model to some of the younger Winterhawks players last season. He may not end up seeing NHL time throughout his professional career, but he could be a solid depth piece to Vegas' list of prospects.
Finally, with the 187th overall pick, Vegas selected Gustav Sjöqvist, a left-shooting defenseman from Stockholm, Sweden. Through the 2024-25 season, he played in 31 games for the AIK J20, scoring 11 goals with seven assists. He also played in 39 games with the AIK HA, scoring three goals and four assists. He is a defensive minded player that is comfortable laying heavy hits. He has a strong shot and uses his long reach in order to kill plays effectively.
Now that you know a little more about these guys, I'd give Vegas' draft a solid B-
I think that Ihs-Wozniak will transform into a player that can hold a consistent role in the NHL as long as some of his skills are refined. Nobert is a player that I'm looking forward to watching develop but I'm not sure the exact role he would carry into the NHL. Finally, the 6th round picks in Weiermar and Sjöqvist may not see NHL time soon, but there is always a chance.
With dedication, and determination, these picks could shape up to be strong candidates for the ECHL or AHL down the road. That could make McCrimmon look like a mega genius in the next week.