Golden Knights draft this controversial prospect in this NHL Mock Draft simulation
Mock drafts are an essential part of the sports experience. The Vegas Golden Knight will get a controversial prospect in the latest NHL Draft simulation.
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.
What about the other three picks?
Speaking of which, that leads to the next point. The Vegas Golden Knights have three other picks in this year's NHL Draft. There aren't many chances for Vegas to nail this year's draft, so evaluating every talent is paramount to future success. Yes, that does sound quite cliche. However, it's true given the team's current situation.
So here's who the Golden Knights picked with their other three picks. Did they bolster the team's forward depth further or was another direction taken in the NHL mock draft? Let's look at what the simulation said for Vegas with the remaining draft picks.
180th overall: Felix Lacerte, C/Shawinigan Cataractes
One thing that stands out with Felix Lacerte is his stick-handling abilities. He can split defending pairs easily, firing off shots without any complications. He's confident on the ice and can dictate the play, making him a valuable weapon. That's how he scored 55 goals and 56 assists in two seasons (119 games) with Shawinigan Cataractes.
However, one sticking point with the 17-year-old is his tendency to watch plays. Getting more involved off the puck will help him develop into a promising player. If the Vegas Golden Knights draft him, he must get involved in every play, helping his team at every turn.
197th overall: Matyas Melovsky, C/Baie-Comeau Drakkar
Another Matyas in the Vegas Golden Knights farm system? According to this NHL Draft simulation, that seems to be the case. The center has some playmaking abilities that make him viable, scoring 118 points in two seasons in the QMJHL (112 games). Averaging 1.05 points a game should warrant a future spot on any NHL team.
Ironically, he did receive a try-out from the Detroit Red Wings during their training camp last year. However, he was released, reducing the roster to 57 players. Still, his two-way play and creative puck-handling will make him lucrative to any team needing forward help. That includes Vegas, who has numerous questions about the position heading down the road.
212th overall: Artur Faizov, C/Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk
There are plenty of big Russian players in the NHL, where they use their size to punish opponents. That includes Ivan Barbashev, who's etched his name on the Vegas Golden Knights with his physicality. One NHL Draft prospect who can do the same for himself is Artur Faizov.
The center knows how to find the puck and win battles, making him a good late-round pickup. He's also strong on the forecheck, fitting in seamlessly with the Golden Knights. He has other pluses to his game, including his stick-handling and speed. Overall, the mock draft gave Vegas a steal in the seventh round. If they draft Trevor Connelly and Faizov in the same draft, there's a huge return that'll come with it (along with a big risk).
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