(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)
The Golden Knights started the Draft without a selection in the top 90 and just four picks overall. However, following the trade of Pavel Dorofeyev, along with a few moves down, they’ve restocked and will have a healthy crop of new prospects.
TRADE – VGK have acquired #26, #92, and a 2028 1st from New York Rangers for Pavel Dorofeyev
TRADE – VGK have acquired #28 and 2027 3rd from Montreal Canadiens for #26
TRADE – VGK have acquired #29 and #117 from Anaheim Ducks for #28
1st Round – #29 (from ANA)
Selection: Juho Piiparinen
One of the youngest players available in the Draft, Piiparinen is a right-handed, well-rounded defenseman. The 17-year-old Finn is a two-way player who skates well and plays with a high motor. He played 29 games as a professional in the Finnish Elite League and logged significant minutes in all situations.
The main thing that stands out in Piiparinen’s game is his exceptional poise and high-end puck management during breakout scenarios. When retrieving pucks under heavy forechecking pressure, he does not panic or blindly throw the puck away. Instead, he displays elite patience, using his strong frame to shield the puck from oncoming attackers, accepting heavy contact, and delivering crisp, precise, and highly accurate first passes to launch the transition attack. –Jeremy Rivet, McKeensHockey.com
He’s not overly physical, but he gives a solid effort and is often relied on by coaches. His offense will be the question at the next level. Given that he doesn’t truly excel at any one thing, there will be questions about his role as well. –Corey Pronman, The Athletic
Pronounced: You-ho Peep-er-en (Click here to hear him say his own name)
2nd Round – #63
Forfeited
3rd Round – #92 (from NYR)
Selection: Benjamin Wilmott
An overaged draft pick, the 19-year-old from Seattle is known as being a bulldog on the ice. He lives in front of the goal and thrives on moving players out of the way to create space for himself. His offensive game away from the goalmouth is far from exceptional, which projects him more as a bottom-six player. Went undrafted in each of the previous two NHL Drafts.
Wilmott is committed to play at Ohio State next season.
He’s a late bloomer which shows the continuous willingness to improve even when teams have passed him by before. He’s very competitive and has a physical presence to him that can translate to the next level. His versatility will also be attractive to teams as he can play in all important situations including key faceoffs and both special teams units. As with anyone at this stage, he needs to add speed to his game. He also needs to put in the work away from the puck. –The HockeyWriters.com
3rd Round – #95
Selection: Sean Burick
A 6’8″ defenseman, Burick’s main quality is, of course, his size. He’s described as a smooth skater with incredible reach that doesn’t rely on only on his stick to defend. There’s limited offensive upside and can by physically inconsistent, but when he hits someone, it hurts.
Committed to the University of Denver after playing last season in the WHL with the Penticton Vees.
His greatest asset is his reach, which he uses effectively to smother puck carriers, close gaps early in the neutral zone, and eliminate space in the defensive zone and off the rush. He displayed a physical edge with a few punishing hits, though his timing occasionally took him out of position. Offensively, Burick contributed with a heavy shot from the point and found ways to hold pucks in at the offensive blue line, but overall his puck decisions were inconsistent, at times showing vision, a plan and clean execution, while in other instances forcing plays or mishandling pucks under pressure. –NeutralZone.com
TRADE – VGK have acquired #113 from Montreal Canadiens for #117 and #223
4th Round – #113 (from MTL)
Selection: Jonah Sivertson
Another under-aged forward, Sivertson, is a sharp-shooter known most for his one-timer. The 17-year-old from Regina scored 24 goals and 53 points in 66 games with the Prince Albert Raiders of the WHL.
Not the best skater, but high IQ, plays gritty and a really good scorer. –Scott Wheeler, The Athletic
Sivertson is a 6-3 forward who brings a rare blend of size and puck skill. He handles difficult passes well, protects pucks through pressure, and can distribute quickly in tight areas to create space for teammates. In possession, he is comfortable working in traffic, using patience and soft hands to navigate into the high slot where he can attack with shot fakes and quick releases. His off-puck movement helps him find pockets of space, and his shot from the high slot is quick, accurate, and a clear strength. Skating is the main concern, limiting his forechecking effectiveness and causing issues defensively when tracking back. How his puck game translates against faster competition remains an open question. –Ryan Ma, DobberProspects.com
5th Round – #159
Selection: Will McLaughlin
A skilled defenseman who has a decent amount of offensive upside to his game. Committed to play at Colorado College next season.
He also featured on both the power play and penalty kill. He’s a rangy, mobile two-way D who made some skill plays one-on-one this year and walks the line with confidence (including under pressure). He has offensive smarts and offensive instincts. His shot doesn’t have a ton of pop, and I know it’s something he has worked on, but he also needs to do a ton of work in the gym, and there are things (the shot, more power in his stride, winning more battles) that will come when he does. –Scott Wheeler, The Athletic
6th Round – #191
Selection: Matthew Minchak
A big goaltender with strong fundamentals. Committed to play NCAA hockey at Colgate next season, Minchak posted a 2.91 goals against average in the OHL last season with Kingston.
His size is a clear asset. He fills the net naturally and does not need to overextend to make saves, and when he is square and set, he is difficult to beat cleanly. His positional play and tracking allow him to control first touches effectively, and his goals against are in line with expected metrics, meaning he is not giving up soft goals. However, there are still notable areas of concern that limit his projection: despite his size, he can play too deep in his crease, relying on his frame rather than challenging shooters, which can expose the net, and his puck play is a weakness, limiting his ability to create transition or aid breakouts. –NeutralZone.com
TRADE – VGK have acquired #207 from Detroit Red Wings for 2027 7th Round Pick
7th Round – #207
Selection: Noel Pakarinen
Born in Palo Alto, CA, the Finnish Pakarinen is a big forward with an excellent shot. He split time last year between the junior leagues and the Finnish Elite League. He is committed to Michigan Tech for the upcoming season.
To complement his shot, Pakarinen’s off-puck instincts allow him to effectively play off his teammates and find open pockets around scoring areas. -EliteProspects.com
