The NHL Draft grade
As it stands, the 2024 NHL Draft class has a high ceiling. Trevor Connelly has the offensive tools to be a solid NHL player, with an incredible hockey IQ and gifted athleticism. If he can stay out of trouble and get out of his own way, the former Tri-City Storm star can thrive as a Vegas Golden Knights star.
Pavel Moysevich is another big goaltender who's proven himself at a professional level. He's simplified his game to shorten his movements and see the play happen. In turn, he can become one of the hidden gems of this year's draft based on his experience alone.
Trent Swick has the build and offensive acumen to make an impact. He can see the play happen and scans non-stop for the next play. Even Lucas Van Vliet can be a steal if he focuses on developing a skill or two. This year's Golden Knights draft looks good... on paper.
The funny thing is it's tough to gauge how good a team does in a draft. That's because fans don't know what to expect until that talent develops (or doesn't). Who knows? This could be one of the biggest duds in draft history. While that's the case, the Vegas Golden Knights took a good first step to ensuring they have better prospect depth. That should be a small victory in itself.