But what about Lukas Cormier?
Therapist: "Who else do you have as a friend?"
Silver Knights: "Well, there's Lukas Cormier. He's one of my favorite defensemen and he can score, too. He's one of my best friends."
Therapist: "What makes him special?"
Silver Knights: "He can shoot the puck well and can make the backdoor play. Not many blue-liners can do what he does."
Therapist: "He must mean a lot to you."
Silver Knights: "He does!"
One of the bright spots in the Vegas Golden Knights farm system has been Cormier. The defenseman had 16 assists in 2023-24 for the Henderson Silver Knights, making him an important piece of the puzzle. The year prior, he scored 10 goals and 25 assists, boosting his reputation in the lower levels of hockey.
Of course, being a two-time winner of the Emile Bouchard Trophy (2021 and 2022) comes with being a skilled blue-liner. That's especially true when he was with the QMJHL's Charlottetown Islanders, scoring 49 goals and 86 assists in his last two seasons. Earning such accolades will win the respect of your peers and make you one of the top prospects in the NHL.
There are some aspects he can work on to become a better all-around player. For example, having better defensive awareness and playing better away from the puck will turn him into a deadlier player. In turn, the Golden Knights can rely on him as a future blue-liner if names like Shea Theodore and Brayden McNabb leave. However, his offensive acumen will turn him into a lucrative piece for years.