Top 3 goaltenders the Vegas Golden Knights must draft
While it sounds funny that the Vegas Golden Knights should draft a goaltender, it doesn't hurt to have too many options. Here are the top three options.
Normally, goaltenders aren't taken in the first round of the NHL Draft. That right is usually reserved for forwards and defensemen, where teams have a near-immediate need to fill. While there are some outliers such as Jake Oettinger, a majority of solid goalies are taken on the second day. Therefore, they're relegated to the back, where they're picked up in later rounds.
Luckily, the Vegas Golden Knights have three late-round picks to make such selections. While the focus will be on building forward (or overall skater) depth, there is room for a goaltender to pick in the later rounds. Why not go with a bigger goalie to add more depth? It'd be nice to find a complimentary prospect to develop alongside Carl Lindbom.
That's especially true with the looming questions the franchise has at the position. With Adin Hill and Logan Thompson heading into free agency after next season, fans wonder what Vegas will do if both leave. Could they be traded? But other questions surround the two players, such as what would happen if one fell off production-wise.
That's why it's good to draft a goaltender later in the NHL Draft. That way, the next player is ready to step up once the time's right. It's also important to consider the number of injuries the Vegas Golden Knights have dealt with at the position. During their Stanley Cup run in 2022-23, Vegas had Laurent Brossoit as their starter heading into the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Why not take a look at some of the options from the draft? These players carry good size and have shown to be reliable down the stretch. They'll also benefit from being in a goaltender-friendly system, where shooting lanes are redirected for more optimal saves. Here are three players the Golden Knights should look at this week.
Thatcher Bernstein, Dubuque Fighting Saints/Tri-City Storm
One thing you'll notice about these picks is the goaltenders are big. Standing at a minimum of 6'3", they take up plenty of space in the crease and can become a force if they utilize it correctly. Thatcher Bernstein is one of those NHL Draft prospects, playing in the 2024 Chipotle All-American Game.
He also had a notable year at Noble & Greenough School in 2021-22, posting a GAA of 2.24 in 19 games. The Boston native also has big-game experience, excelling in numerous tournaments. That includes the Team Columbia tournament in 2022-23 (GAA of 2.49 and a save percentage of .920 in four games) and the Massachusetts District tournament (GAA of 2.63 in six games).
One thing that stands out about Thatcher Bernstein is his ability to skate smoothly. He moves fluently throughout the crease, picking up on incoming shooters. He can also set his feet quickly, prepping for a shot before it even happens. That adds to his profile, especially with the goaltender standing at 6'3".
Landon Miller, Soo Greyhounds
Another goaltender with plenty of size to boot is Landon Miller. Like Thatcher Bernstein, the Soo Greyhounds netminder stands at 6'3", where his frame takes up a bulk of the net. That has proven to be handy for the Vegas Golden Knights, who've relied on sizable goaltenders in recent memory.
In 2023-24, he posted a GAA of 2.79 in 30 games for the Greyhounds. But his most impressive work came in the NOJHL in 2022-23 with the Soo Thunderbirds, where the native of Thornhill, Ontario, had a GAA of 2.29 and a save percentage of .923 in 24 games. He's been a consistent goaltender who remains calm and poised in the net, keeping calm when the play picks up.
That's part of why Landon Miller was one of the top goaltending picks in the 2022 OHL Draft. With incredible lateral movements and work ethic, he's proven himself as a reliable netminder. While he might fly under the radar in the NHL Draft, he'll be valuable to a team like the Vegas Golden Knights, where his size and poise come in handy.
Kirill Zaburin, AKM Tula
Want to go even bigger than Landon Miller and Thatcher Bernstein? Look no further than Kirill Zaburin, who stands at 6'4". In 2023-24, he had an astounding season in the MHL and AKM Tula, posting a GAA of 1.99 and a save percentage of .944 (29 games). His sudden emergence has made him a popular pick in the later round, where a team can pick up this solid NHL Draft prospect.
Zaburin's calling card is his ability to control rebounds, which would help the Vegas Golden Knights on the defensive end. The Russian netminder also knows how to use his body to absorb shots, ensuring no loose pucks get out for a second chance. Such traits are crucial considering it would make the transition game easier for Vegas.
Kirill Zaburin has made the butterfly style his domain, using his athleticism to master it. If an NHL team like the Golden Knights take a flyer on him, they're getting a solid goalie who uses his body to his advantage. Plus, he has a distinct ability to follow shots and prepare, providing him with an advantage over his peers.
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