There's a rumble ahead of Tuesday's preseason game against the San Jose Sharks. The Vegas Golden Knights' faithful are awaiting the arrival of a certain first-round draft pick, eager to see what he can do on the ice. No, it isn't Trevor Connelly, since fans have seen what he can do in the professional leagues.
Think of Juho Piiparinen, the Golden Knights' first-round pick drafted in this year's NHL Draft. The Finnish prospect will make his preseason debut on Tuesday against the San Jose Sharks, giving Golden Knights fans a taste of what he brings to the table.
Ryan Craig on first-round pick Juho Piiparinen suiting up for his first preseason game tonight:
— Hannah Kirkell (@h_kirk6) September 22, 2026
“He’s come as an advertised from what we’ve seen… A great young man, great skill set. I thought he spit into practices very, very well with whatever group he’s been with— we moved… pic.twitter.com/zpv84t3iUS
Piiparinen was part of a carousel that stemmed from the Golden Knights dealing Pavel Dorofeyev to the New York Rangers. In came two first-round picks (one being conditional), along with a 2026 third-round pick and out went the record-holder for the most power play goals in a single season (Dorofeyev scored 20 in 2025-26).
Add some trades into the mix and you have the Finnish defenseman on board with Vegas. Still, the Golden Knights picked him for a good reason. Last season, he scored a goal and 12 assists in 15 games with Tappara's U20 team. He also spent time with Finland's international team, whether it was in the WJC-18 league or the WJC-20 league.
Everyone knows he is a great puck-moving defenseman. In fact, he's also been praised as a solid two-way blue liner. But he doesn't just do these things offensively. Looking at his highlight reel, you'll see that Piiparinen does more with the puck than people realize.
What else can Vegas Golden Knights fans expect from Juho Piiparinen?
We've talked about how great Piiparinen is at moving the puck offensively. He has incredible puck-handling skills and reads the ice like a seasoned veteran. But these aren't the only skills that he brings to the table offensively.
Piiparinen also has a penchant for finding the open man, scanning the ice and fitting in the pass perfectly. His offensive prowess works well in the offensive zone, specifically if he finds his teammate in a high-danger situation.
That also translates well on the rush. The Finnish defenseman can skate downhill and set up his teammates successfully in odd-man rushes or breakaways. That situational awareness makes him the ideal puck-moving defenseman, adding more offensive pressure to the opponent.
Seeing the first-round pick play like a seasoned veteran is a promising sign for Tuesday's game. That could translate into a strong offensive game by putting up an assist or two. He could dominate and set the offensive tone early, giving the Golden Knights a win against a bitter division rival.
The Golden Knights are starting to invest more in their first-round draft picks, even if it's only two names. Trevor Connelly is getting some looks in the team's power play and can potentially nab a roster spot. Now? It's Juho Piiparinen's turn to raise his stock and show fans what he can bring for the future. No better setting than against your rival in the Bay Area.
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