Yes, the Vegas Golden Knights still have prospects after trading many. And yes, there are a few with a true, intriguing shot at the NHL who stand out the most in a weaker pipeline.
The NHL prospect pool overview series is in the homestretch with the Vegas Golden Knights.
Tony Ferrari examines the Knights' strengths and weaknesses, gives a quick overview of their latest draft class, shows their positional depth chart and examines who could be next in line for an NHL chance.
A player who no longer holds rookie eligibility in the NHL is considered graduated and no longer considered a prospect for these exercises, except in very specific cases.
First Thoughts
The Vegas Golden Knights haven’t even been around a decade, and they already have a Stanley Cup, a finals loss, and the ire of almost every opposing fan base because of how immediately successful they’ve been and the ruthless nature in which they go about it.
The cost of much of their success has been their prospect pool. They’ve traded away picks and prospects routinely, with little regard for what that might mean one day down the road.
That doesn’t mean they have no prospects of note, however.
Brendan Brisson is one of the two first-round picks they’ve kept in the fold. His production didn't improve the way they hoped last season, but he remains a dangerous shooter who can finish when given the opportunity. He has the potential to be a legitimate power-play weapon, finding space and unleashing his heavy one-timer. The rest of his game remains a work in progress, but if he can take a big step this year in the AHL, we could see him back in the NHL at some point.
After helping the Saginaw Spirit win the Memorial Cup on home ice, Matyas Sapovaliv heads to the AHL this season. The 6-foot-4 center plays a responsible 200-foot game, and he’s a menace around the net. When he’s not winning pucks in the corners or cleaning up rebounds at the net, Sapovaliv has soft hands as a passer, hitting teammates in stride for scoring chances. He does many of the little things right that will get a coach's attention and get him into the lineup.
Mathieu Cataford is one of the more interesting prospects in Vegas’ system. Although he is just an average skater at best, his intelligence and dual-threat offensive ability are impressive. Cataford always seems to have a plan for how he wants to attack up ice, scanning for passing lanes and taking the chance to fire pucks on net when he sees the opportunity. He isn’t always the most engaged player, but he could be one of the QMJHL’s top scorers this season.
After joining the Ottawa 67’s in the OHL last year, Tuomas Uronen was injured in November and didn’t play again last season. The Kingston Frontenacs acquired him this summer, and he will look to have a big season there. He’s always been a stealthy off-puck attacker who can finish from all over the offensive zone. How Uronen bounces back from his lost season will be worth watching.
On the back end, Kaeden Korczak has played NHL games in each of the last couple of seasons but hasn’t been able to find a full-time spot in the lineup. His combination of size and skating ability is the base of his game. He’s shown some really solid defensive ability, using his length to clog up lanes and force attackers wide. Korczak has been a good passer on the breakout at the AHL level, so if he can bring that to the NHL, he could lock down a spot at some point this season.
Lukas Cormier’s second AHL season went as well as could have been hoped, even getting into a couple of NHL games. His puck-moving ability from the back end makes life easier on his forwards, hitting them in stride as they look to break up the ice. In the offensive zone, Cormier fires pucks low and into traffic, looking to get a deflection. If there are any injuries in the NHL, Cormier could see more NHL time as well.
After a couple of unspectacular AHL seasons, Daniil Chayka will enter a pivotal campaign as he looks to find his footing. The 21-year-old's game has always leaned defensively, killing play in transition and making quick decisions with the puck. Finding some functional puck skill at the pro level will determine whether Chayka can be an NHLer or just an AHL regular.
U-23 Players Likely To Be on the NHL Roster
Alexander Holtz (RW), Kaeden Korczak (RD)
2024 NHL Draft Class
Round 1, 19th overall - Trevor Connelly, LW, Tri-City (USHL)
Round 3, 83rd overall - Pavel Moysevich, G, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)
Round 6, 180th overall - Trent Swick, LW, Kitchener (OHL)
Round 7, 197th overall - Lucas Van Vliet, C, U.S. NTDP (USHL)
The NHL world was in Las Vegas for the draft, and the hosts certainly put on an outstanding show, gathering everyone at the state-of-the-art Sphere. It had highlights appearing from the floor to the ceiling, amazing production and all of the flair we’ve all come to expect from Vegas.
Although the Knights only had four picks, they became one of the big discussion topics after the first round. When Vegas went up to the stage, they swung for the fences by selecting the talented Trevor Connelly. His past off-ice issues have been well-documented, as has his work to grow as a person and attempt to make amends for his mistakes.
On the ice, Connelly is skilled with the puck. His hands are elite, dangling opposing players and looking to create high-paced offense at all times. Connelly is a daring playmaker who can thread the needle through traffic and a wicked shooter who can pick the corner right over the goalie's shoulder. Connelly is a lethal offensive threat who could be a difference-maker for the Golden Knights down the road.
In the third round, Vegas took Pavel Moysevich. The Russian netminder split the year between the KHL and the Russian second level, posting excellent results. The 19-year-old goaltender is massive, standing 6-foot-5, and he tends to play deep in his net. His quick movements and excellent reflexes allow him to kill scoring chances. Although he is an overage netminder, the Golden Knights will be patient as his KHL contract runs through the 2026-27 season.
Taking a late swing on 20-year-old Trent Swick isn’t a bad idea. His first OHL year was taken away because of COVID-19, and he had a limited role until last season, so there is a legitimate chance he’s a late bloomer. This season, Swick became a point-per-game player who showed off some nice touch as a passer and real vision as a playmaker. At 6-foot-7, taking the swing on him continuing to develop a bit over the next couple of years is worth the shot.
The USA Hockey National Team Development Program is a great opportunity for most kids, but sometimes, a talented player can get buried on the fourth line and can’t showcase his full package because of it. Seventh-round pick Lucas Van Vliet could be that player. He skates well and shows some nice bursts as he works to attack off the puck. He has a very good shot, and in a better situation, he could have scored quite a bit more in the USHL. He’ll look to do just that with the Dubuque Fighting Saints this season before heading to Michigan State in a year.
Strengths
The left wing is the biggest strength of the Knights’ prospect pool because it’s really the only position with multiple players with realistic shots at making the NHL outside of a fourth-line or sixth-defender role.
Connelly could be a top-six impact player, and Brisson could be a middle-six scorer. Both could play on the power play eventually as well.
The rest of the pipeline is a bit lackluster regarding prospects with actual NHL potential and impact.
Weaknesses
The Golden Knights’ prospect pool is pretty weak overall, and their defensive pipeline is certainly a concern.
When you really look at things, the right side of their blueline prospects is barren. Korczak is entering ‘AAAA’ status and trending toward being a depth NHLer. Beyond him, they have Noah Ellis and no one else.
Ellis is a 22-year-old going into his junior season in the NCAA without much high-level success. He is a long shot at best.
The Knights must find someone to add to their pipeline on the right side, or they could just continue to not care all that much about a prospect pool – it’s worked for them so far.
Next Men Up: Lukas Cormier, LD, and Kaeden Korczak, RD
The Vegas Golden Knights continue to be one of the NHL’s best and most competitive teams, and with that comes a roster full of talented players. That often means open spots for prospects are few and far between.
Injuries and underperformances happen every season, so there will be chances for players to get into the lineup at some point, though, and the back end seems to be where the Knights have a couple of players ready to go.
As thin as the right side is, Korczak can bring some solid two-way play and has played in NHL games. On the left side, Cormier could be called up to help out with a bit more of a lean to the offensive side of things.
Prospect Depth Chart Notables
LW: Trevor Connelly, Brendan Brisson, Jakub Brabenec, Martins Dzierkals
C: Matyas Sapovaliv, Jordan Gustafson, Ivan Morozov
RW: Mathieu Cataford, Tuomas Uronen, Jakub Demek
LD: Lukas Cormier, Daniil Chayka, Christoffer Sedoff, Arttu Karki, Artur Cholach
RD: Kaeden Korczak, Noah Ellis
G: Jesper Vikman, Carl Lindbom, Pavel Moysevich, Cameron Whitehead
For a deeper dive into the prospect pool with player rankings, check out the Future Watch and upcoming Yearbook print editions in The Hockey News. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or by visiting our forum.