Golden Knights get it right with Trevor Connelly in NHL Draft
Yes, Trevor Connelly isn't the most popular name in hockey right now. However, the Vegas Golden Knights are banking on a changed man.
Before fans dive into this article, know that the past actions of Trevor Connelly are never to be condoned. Making inappropriate symbols and racial slurs should never be allowed in any capacity. It's something no person should endure, no matter which side it's coming from. Treat others with kindness and go about your day.
In case people are wondering what this refers to, it's the newest Vegas Golden Knights star swastika made of building blocks in 2022. He posted this on Snapchat and got a huge reaction (not in a good way) from other users. It painted him in a terrible light, dropping his NHL Draft stock in the process. Throw in alleged racial slurs during a youth hockey game in 2021 and it's a recipe for disaster.
Connelly is a talented playmaking winger with 78 points last season.
— Danny Webster (@DannyWebster21) June 29, 2024
Elephant in the room, however: https://t.co/iJFShZylzU pic.twitter.com/4jCB9q7aJA
Yes, these were horrific acts to commit. Fans have every right to hold him accountable for his past actions. However, being drafted by the Golden Knights offers a new opportunity to start anew. Here, the former Tri-City Storm star can turn his situation into a positive, learning from the past. After all, life is a journey of bettering oneself and becoming an unstoppable force. Without growth, everyone would remain stagnant and without any purpose.
While some people might not be on board with drafting Trevor Connelly with the 19th overall pick, there are some incentives with getting the NHL Draft prospect. After all, there's a good reason why he was still projected as a first-round pick despite his awful past. Here are some reasons the Vegas Golden Knights got it right with the young prospect.
Trevor Connelly is an offensive force
It's no secret Connelly is a fantastic offensive player, for he scored 31 goals and 47 assists in 52 games this season for Tri-City. Imagine what he can do if he can translate those skills to the NHL in a full 82-game season. His impressive output was part of why general manager Kelly McCrimmon selected him with the 19th overall pick.
Overall, the winger scored 55 goals and 70 assists in two seasons (109 games) for the Storm, making him the team's focal point. He's even performed well in a high-stakes setting, scoring four goals and five assists (seven games) at the 2024 U18 World Junior Championship.
With his innate ability to create plays in space, he can become problematic. Trevor Connelly has the skills and instinct to score incredible goals. The Vegas Golden Knights got one of the best offensive prospects in the NHL Draft. If all goes well, he can become another example of Kelly McCrimmon's brilliance.
The Vegas Golden Knights are a veteran team with leadership
While the 19th overall pick bounced around different teams because of his antics, that won't work with the Golden Knights. Vegas has a veteran group consisting of leaders such as Jack Eichel and Mark Stone. These anchors provide the stable foundation and steer the ship through troubling times.
That's a major part of why the Vegas Golden Knights won the 2023 Stanley Cup. Behind Eichel's 26 points and Stone's 11 goals and 24 points, Vegas stormed through the Stanley Cup playoffs without much trouble. Each player helped one another, bettering each other along the way.
Ironically, people said the same thing about Jack Eichel when he was traded to Vegas. He was labeled as a "locker room cancer" and was deemed too toxic in Buffalo. When he got his opportunity with his new team, he flourished. Eichel proved he was a postseason player, coming through in clutch situations. Yes, the former Buffalo star wasn't engaged in xenophobic attacks. However, he shined in his big opportunity with a new team.
Connelly has the chance to learn and develop himself in the future with Vegas's veterans. Undesirable behaviors exhibited by a young player won't be tolerated by the group. Otherwise, the Tri-City Storm star will be yet another former first-round pick traded.
The NHL Draft pick can change for the better
That veteran leadership can also mold Trevor Connelly into a perfect contributor for the Vegas Golden Knights. The NHL Draft pick can pick the brains of various team leaders, completing his turnaround from his past. Starting with playing at Providence this fall, he'll have a clean slate to work with.
Should he be held accountable for his past actions? Absolutely. There's no room for unsoliticed attacks on anybody, whether it's race, religion, or other decrees. However, the Golden Knights are a structured organization that make sound decisions. With one of the best front offices in the NHL, they can bring in questionable talent and turn them into household names. Just look at Jack Eichel.
While most people don't recover well from xenophobic controversies, Connelly can become the exception to the rule. He's already talking about learning from his past and bettering himself. That's the first step. Most people are reluctant to admit to their mistakes, whether it's a man or woman or other denominations. He's taking that first step that many others won't take.
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