The Golden Knights have been one of the most aggressive trading teams since their inception in 2017 and because of it the NHL Draft has typically become an afterthought for VGK fans. Tonight is no different as Nashville will select 26th overall, the pick originally held by the Golden Knights.
VGK’s history of moving 1st round picks has been successful to this point.
2017
#6 – Cody Glass
Traded to Nashville for Nolan Patrick
The only time the Golden Knights truly participated in the NHL Draft Lottery went as poorly as it could have for Vegas. They dropped from the 3rd pick down to 6th and it cost them dearly as Cale Makar, Nico Hischier, Miro Heiskanen, and Elias Pettersson went off the board before they selected.
Glass is currently an RFA with the New Jersey Devils but reports have indicated he will not receive a qualifying offer. His new team will be his 5th in just seven years in the NHL. He has 35 goals and 93 points in 252 NHL games.
#13 – Nick Suzuki
Acquired from Winnipeg for 2017 1st round pick (#24) and 2019 3rd round pick
Traded to Montreal with Tomas Tatar and 2019 2nd round pick for Max Pacioretty on September 9th, 2018
Suzuki is the lone 1st round pick in Vegas history that has gone on to have a standout career in the NHL thus far. He was named captain of the Habs just four years after the trade from Vegas and became the youngest player in Montreal history to wear the “C.”
He remains the captain of the Canadiens and posted a career high 89 points last season while receiving votes for Byng (5th), Hart (9th), and Selke (13th). He has scored 138 goals and 375 points in 455 NHL games.
#15 – Erik Brannstrom
Acquired at Expansion Draft from New York Islanders for Mikhail Grabovski’s contract
Traded to Ottawa with Oscar Lindberg and 2020 2nd round pick for Mark Stone
The diminutive defenseman never found a true home in the NHL and after a disappointing year in Vancouver that included trades to New York and then Buffalo, Brannstrom is headed to Switzerland for the 2025-26 season to play for Lausanne HC.
Brannstrom scored 10 goals and 77 points in 294 games in the NHL, mostly with the Ottawa Senators. He never played for either New York nor Buffalo after the deals at the 2025 deadline.