The Minnesota Golden Gophers aren't known for much. Maybe they're known as the university that produced Ric Flair (WOO!), Herb Brooks, and Bob Dylan. Other than that, there isn't much to be excited about with the school...
...Except for Jacob Kvasnicka. The winger could be the most underrated prospect in the 2025 NHL Draft. The 17-year-old had a breakout season in 2021-22 with Wayzata Bantam AA, scoring 39 goals and 50 assists in 48 games.
He's heading to the University of Minnesota with a penchant for scoring, after all. This past season, he scored 18 goals and 21 assists (66 games) with the U.S. National Team (U18), making an impressive impact. Not only that, but he was impressive in the World Junior Championship (18-under), scoring three goals and two assists in seven games.
Kvasnicka is projected to be a second-day pick, going in the fourth round, at best. While that doesn't sound too appealing to many NHL fans, they must also remember that names like Mark Stone (sixth round, 178th overall) and Pavel Dorofeyev (third round, 79th overall) weren't first-round picks.
So let's see why Kelly McCrimmon should take this second-day gem. The Golden Knights are in dire need of viable forward prospects and Kvasnicka could be the answer they desperately need.
Why the Golden Knights must pick Jacob Kvasnicka in the 2025 NHL Draft
If you want the proverbial Energizer Bunny on your line, look no further. Kvasnicka has an endless motor that kicks in during the latter part of games. That, combined with a penchant for creating offense, would serve the Golden Knights well in the future.
The University of Minnesota commit also finishes his checks (1.24 hits per game, according to Neutral Zone) and can block shots (0.61 blocked shots per game). Those qualities make him perfect for Bruce Cassidy's defensive scheme. He can clog shooting lanes and bring a physical punch to Vegas.
What's more, he's a coachable player. He's willing to adjust his game accordingly and learn how to be a better player. While Cassidy is known for being tough as nails, that shouldn't be too much of a problem for the 17-year-old if selected.
Finally, he can move up and down the ice effortlessly. You want someone who can jump into the transition game without any problems if you're Vegas. That's where the native of Burnsville, Minnesota, comes in. He can use his forechecking and defensive abilities to jump into the attack.
All that sounds good on the surface for a budding prospect. Therefore, he should be higher, right?
What Kvasnicka needs to work on
The future Golden Gopher isn't known for handling the puck too well. He's prone to making the occasional turnover, leading to an odd-man rush the other way. Considering the Golden Knights had issues in this particular category (1,304 giveaways this past season, fifth-most in the NHL), do you really want to carry that on as a tradition?
He's also fairly light, weighing in at a mere 172 pounds. Given that he's 5'11", that makes him an easy target on the ice. His offensive skills, while nice, are also inconsistent. Sometimes, he'll overskate the incoming passing lane or make a poor decision with the puck.
That also coincides with his fast-paced play. Not slowing down and seeing the ice can cause these turnovers, leading to a team being put on their heels. That could be enough to deter McCrimmon from taking him in the NHL Draft.
Fortunately, Kvasnicka is not even 18 years old. Being a coachable player has its advantages, specifically when you're trying to make the NHL. That trait could also make him yet another famous person from the University of Minnesota.