Which 2024 Golden Knights draft pick not named Trevor Connelly has the most upside?

The case for Trent Swick

It's no secret the Vegas Golden Knights love big players. Whether it's Nicolas Hague (6'6") or Nicolas Roy (6'4"), the Golden Knights use their size for numerous purposes. That includes clogging up lanes and preventing opponents from moving beyond the neutral zone. It's led to a successful recipe, with the team winning a Stanley Cup.

Trent Swick is one of the biggest draft picks in Golden Knights history, standing at 6'7". That size helps him in numerous ways, including the forecheck, where he can be a physical force. Swick can become a force by his size alone, laying out big checks on opponents. But that's not all he can do with his big frame.

Offensively, the former Kitchener Rangers star can also use that frame to turn away opposing defenders. It makes it tough for them to strip the puck away, having to get past more of Swick to make a move. That's how he scored 25 goals and 37 assists in 63 games with his OHL club last season.

The case for Lucas Van Vliet

Lucas Van Vliet has a great touch with the puck, using his ability to set up astounding plays. That touch has come from breathtaking passes and a great hockey sense, Think of him as Spider-Man, where his spider-sense tingles when a defender approaches. He'll put them on their heels with a quick move, creating an excellent scoring opportunity for him and his teammates. No matter if he shifts his weight or increases his speed, the forward can be a tough matchup defensively.

He's also good at retrieving the puck and has nice skating, making him a good all-around player. The Vegas Golden Knights can also rely on him in the slot, where he can easily get open. The one thing the Golden Knights need after Jonathan Marchessault left is more shooters in their system. Van Vliet might be what the doctor ordered, especially with his offensive skill set.