"With the 19th pick in the NHL Draft, the Vegas Golden Knights select..."
...Some name that will be said by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. Yes, this sounds extremely vague and cliche. After all, first-round picks haven't lasted long in Las Vegas, with such picks being shipped out for better players. For example, Tomas Hertl was acquired in March, with former first-round pick, David Edstrom, being sent to the San Jose Sharks. Edstrom was the 32nd overall pick in the 2023 draft, picked to add more depth at center.
However, one draft prospect hopes to buck that trend. His name is Michael Hage and he's a center for the Chicago Steel. The native of Mississauga, Ontario, might be a good fit for the Golden Knights as the 19th overall pick. There's even a possibility he doesn't get traded for a premier player at the trade deadline.
While other casualties of Vegas's trades include Zach Dean (drafted 30th overall in 2021, traded to St. Louis for Ivan Barbashev) and Peyton Krebs (drafted 17th overall in 2019, traded to Buffalo for Jack Eichel), Hage might be a different case. His skill set might be what the doctor ordered for the Golden Knights, making them better at the forward position. With his specialty being on offense, he could provide a big boost for Vegas at the forward position.
Still, it's worth examining what the potential draft pick could bring to the Vegas Golden Knights. There are numerous questions lying with Hage if he's selected with the 19th pick. Could he be a key piece in the Golden Knights's future plans? If so, where would he fall into the Golden Knights's lineup? Here's an in-depth look at Michael Hage and what he could provide for Vegas if he's picked.