Grading the Golden Knights 2024 NHL Draft class

The Vegas Golden Knights might've had four overall picks. But they made an impact on the NHL Draft. What should fans make of this year's picks?

2024 Upper Deck NHL Draft - Portraits
2024 Upper Deck NHL Draft - Portraits | Candice Ward/GettyImages
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What the Golden Knights got wrong

But going back to that Trevor Connelly pick, it can become a double-edged sword. What if his character issues rear its ugly head again? Would Vegas be forced to trade yet another former first-round pick? It's something the team doesn't need now, especially with the skater prospect pool stretched thin.

As for Lucas Van Vliet, the Vegas Golden Knights's seventh-round pick (197th overall), there's nothing that stands out with his game. He doesn't specialize in anything and projects to be a third/fourth-line player. It's the old addage of "Jack of all trades, master of none."

Now, that's not to say that Van Vliet's a bad pick. He energizes his teammates and has the potential to considerably improve his offensive game. However, his ceiling projects to be nothing more than a lower-line player. Add in other areas of improvement like puck-handling and he's some ways away from being an impact player.

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