The Vegas Golden Knights are no strangers to controversy. They were at the forefront of the LTIR rules drama, where other teams got on the franchise for using the salary cap to their advantage. While other teams have taken advantage of the rule (see the Tampa Bay Lightning), it's caused an uproar with other NHL fans crying foul.
But there's even more controversy with this mock draft involving Trevor Connelly. The Golden Knights are slated to draft him with the 19th overall pick in the NHL Draft, at least with this mock draft. He's a first-round player with loads of potential, capable of acting as a top-six player. That should be enough to persuade teams like the Chicago Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks to draft him, right?
Here's the catch, dear reader. Connelly has embroiled himself in troublesome scandals, starting with his Snapchat post involving an inappropriate symbol. He's also been accused of using racial slurs in a hockey game during his youth, adding more concern with drafting him.
How would an NHL team deal like the Vegas Golden Knights deal with one of their players causing trouble off the ice? It wouldn't just damage the team's reputation; it would also hurt the league as well. Efforts to curb such worrying behaviors and move forward would be crushed by an NHL Draft prospect who doesn't know better.
This offseason will already have plenty to discuss, with a "Golden Misfit" without a new contract. Still, there's a lot to unwrap with Trevor Connelly, specifically why he was picked and other oddities. The simulation was done by using FCHockey's NHL Mock Draft Simulator.
The Vegas Golden Knights selected Trevor Connelly in the NHL Draft Simulation
There were some no-brainer picks in this NHL Draft simulation, starting with Macklin Celebrini going to the San Jose Sharks. Other picks, such as Ivan Dedimov falling to the 12th overall pick, were interesting. The Russian defenseman is projected to go second overall on some draft boards, while Artyom Levshunov looks like a top-three pick in others (he went fourth in this simulation).
But the other consensus draft pick seems to be Trevor Connelly at the 19th spot. The young star has loads of offensive talent, ranging from his speed to on-ice vision. Connelly can provide the Vegas Golden Knights with plenty of scoring, using his playmaking skills to his full potential.
However, the sticking point about his checkered past remains. Has the budding prospect learned his lesson or will he still make poor choices? It's a risk most NHL teams aren't keen on taking, which is why the Golden Knights are projected to take him with the 19th overall pick. Keep in mind Vegas won't have another pick until the sixth round, barring any unforeseen changes.