The latest update to our prospect rankings is here. The draft inserted just four new players into the mix but a bevy of undrafted free agents have pushed their way into the Top 10. Here are the top five skaters, to find the full rankings, click here…
Must be younger than 23 years old for skaters, 25 years old for goalies
Cannot have played more than 10 NHL games
Must be either under contract or drafted by the Golden Knights
Players are ranked based on value to the organization. The most important factor is the player’s ceiling, or how good they can eventually become, but also taken into consideration is how close they are to playing in the NHL and how likely they are to play in the NHL. This is NOT a ranking of which players are the best if a game were to be held today.
Removed since last update: Daniil Chayka (Contract Terminated), Artur Cholach (Rights Expired), Isaiah Saville (Contract Expired)
When Connelly has been healthy enough to be on the ice, in a VGK, Providence, or Team USA jersey, he’s the undisputed best prospect in the Golden Knights’ system, and honestly, it’s not even close. The trouble has been keeping him healthy as he missed a portion of the college season at Providence, a chunk of the 2024 Development Camp, and the latter half of the World Junior Summer Showcase. It’s possible he misses Training Camp and maybe the beginning of the upcoming season as well.
More on Connelly
8/12/24 – Ranking: 1 – On the ice, Connelly looks every bit the part of a 1st round pick. He was terrific in his single scrimmage at Development Camp before picking up an injury that kept him out of the second one. His speed is noticeable in all three zones, he has poise with the puck, and his playmaking ability both shooting and passing, is excellent. Supposedly, there was some discussion of signing an ELC and heading to the WHL this season, but instead, he’ll go to Providence College. He is the clear blue-chip prospect in the VGK system at the moment; it’ll be up to him to continue on that path.
There’s a lot to like about the solidity of Sedoff’s game. He’s not the most flashy player, but he makes the right decision more often than not, he moves well, and he’s plenty big enough to survive at the NHL level. If the Golden Knights are in a pinch for a defenseman this year, don’t be surprised if Sedoff is the one who gets the call. He probably caps out as a third-pair stay-at-home type guy, but he’ll earn the trust of most coaches quickly, which goes a long way, especially for young guys.
More on Sedoff
8/12/24 – Ranking: 8 – Sedoff is a strong skating defenseman who is very good in front of the goal. He doesn’t contribute a ton of offense but his puck-moving skills, especially with his back to the play, are strong. He’ll look to tally his first professional goal this season after going goalless in 46 games in Henderson last season.
This is a big year for Cataford as it’ll be his first real test against true professional players. He’s done nothing but produce in the QMJHL, and he posted two points in four games at the end of the AHL season. He’s not overly impressive at any individual skill; he just finds ways to get the job done. There’s definitely some upside with his game, but there’s also a lot of volatility based on his below-average skating.
More on Cataford
8/12/24 – Ranking: 2 – What a year it was for Cataford. The well-rounded offensive weapon posted 40 goals and 90 points in 65 games en route to winning the league MVP in the high-scoring QMJHL. He then came to the Silver Knights for a few games at the end of the season and didn’t look completely out of place, recording two assists. In Development Camp there were times he looked like an offensive dynamo but also moments where his foot speed appeared to need improvement as he moved up in competition level This Summer he was dealt in the QMJHL for five picks including two 1st rounders to Memorial Cup hosts, Rimouski. He’ll play one more season in Juniors before leaping the AHL. Expect massive numbers this year once again.
10/5/23 – Ranking: 6 – Cataford is off to a blazing start in the Q, scoring six points in his first three games. Not unexpected, but he did not show much in Development Camp and did not play in the rookie games. He plays with a lot of energy and definitely seems like a complementary player as opposed to a true line driver, however, he’s still so young, so there’s tons of time to develop.
4) Jakob Ihs-Wozniak (F) Acquired: 2025 Entry Draft, 2nd Round, #55 overall Age: 18 (February 1, 2007) Most Recent Team: Lulea (Sweden) Previous Ranking: NR
The man from a land down under has an absolute cannon of a shot, and he’s not afraid to use it. He did not do a ton in his stint in the big leagues in Sweden, but few do at the age of 18. At junior levels and on the international stage, he’s scored goals and put up points like a 2nd round pick should. The challenge for him is going to be his compete level. At times, he has “disappeared” from games, especially big games, and that simply can’t happen once he arrives in North America.
5) Braeden Bowman (F) Acquired: Undrafted Free Agent (Signed March 2, 2025) Age: 22 (July 26, 2003) Most Recent Team: Henderson Silver Knights (AHL) Previous Ranking: NR
One of the more consistent players for the Silver Knights, Bowman impressed enough to earn an NHL contract. Maybe the best thing Bowman has going for him though is the way his teammates talk about him. Multiple players at Development Camp mentioned that he’s easy to play with and incredibly impressive on the ice. His AHL production slowed down at the end of the season a bit, which is concerning, but there was enough in the first half to believe he can continue to do it this year again.
On April 1st, a few days after his collegiate season ended at Providence College, Trevor Connelly signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Golden Knights. The former 1st Round (19th overall) selection scored 13 points in 23 games during an injury-riddled freshman year in college.
This type of move would not typically make headlines, as first-round picks usually do not take long to sign contracts with the NHL team that selected them. However, in Vegas’ case, the timing came as a bit of a surprise due to their history with NCAA players.
Connelly was the 14th player selected in the draft by the Golden Knights to play the following season in American college. This includes former 1st round pick Brendan Brisson and future NHLer Paul Cotter. Connelly is the first to be offered a contract following his first season.
Statistically, he did not post numbers that would have warranted becoming the outlier. He scored just four goals and 13 points in 23 games. He was also a -13 and took 29 penalty minutes. He was, however, impressive with Team USA at the World Juniors where he scored a goal and posted four points in seven games against the best prospects in the world.
I felt strongly about myself. After World Juniors this year I had an idea that I wanted to sign. I just kind of felt like my skillset and hockey IQ is ready to take the next step. Now it’s about building my frame and filling out and the rest will come along. -Connelly
Connelly played six games with the Silver Knights at the end of the AHL season scoring a goal and three assists. Henderson became the seventh different team he’s played for in the last six years, not including international duty.
To confuse matters a bit more, Connelly was selected in the WHL Expansion Draft by the newest team, the Penticton Vees. As a 1st round pick, it would be surprising to see him leave college, sign a contract, and then play in the CHL. But, the path is now available to him, and the Golden Knights, which raises even more intrigue about his future.
As for Connelly, he has his head down and is saying the right things as he progresses through the early stages of his professional career.
I had an idea that I wanted to be here at the end of the year, but you never know. You have to get offered a contract as well so I did everything I could this year to get here at the end of the year. -Connelly
As the only 1st round pick still under VGK control, Connelly’s future is one to keep a close eye on. He’s talented enough to be projected as a true impact player at the NHL level, but he has to get there first, and so far, it’s been a unique road.
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.
The NHL Trade Deadline is right around the corner. And with William Karlsson already on long-term injured reserve and reports about Shea Theodore’s 4 Nations injury indicating his timeline for return is in line with the postseason, it appears likely they’ll be financially open for business once again this season.
It’s impossible to predict exactly how much cap space they’ll have to operate with. However, their history has shown that if there’s a will, there’s a way, and that will be no different this season.
One difference this year will impact Vegas’ high-octane front office, the asset pool. After trading two 1st round picks, a 2nd round pick, a 1st round prospect, and a usable NHL defenseman at last year’s deadline, coupled with massive moves throughout the previous three or four seasons, the Golden Knights’ available pool of assets is limited.
Here’s what’s left, ranked in order of most to least trade value at this upcoming deadline.
Trevor Connelly 1st Round Pick – 2024
Connelly stands as one of just two 1st round picks (of 10 since 2017) left in the Golden Knights’ system. He’s an excellent prospect and has shined on the ice since arriving at Providence College. Connelly has fought through some injury troubles but when he’s healthy he looks every bit of a 19-year-old 1st round pick. He’s as good, if not better, than a 2025 or 2026 1st round pick based on what he’s shown since being selected #19.
There is one caveat with Connelly. One of the reasons he dropped to the mid/late 1st round was due to some off-ice issues in his past. Every day that passes and he proves to have grown from them makes them less and less important, but if he is offered up in a trade less than one year from selection it may raise red flags to other teams. It only takes one team to be willing to take the same risk the Golden Knights did, and that team is surely out there, but many passed on him in the draft, and they could easily pass via trade as well.
Nic Hague 2024-25: 45 GP, 3 G, 5 A Career: 341 GP, 18 G, 61 A Contract: Pending RFA w/ Arbitration at $2,294,150
Hague stands as the most valuable active NHL trade asset for many reasons. First, he’s one of the few players in the VGK lineup without a contract for next season. His RFA status keeps him under control for Vegas or any other team that would acquire him though. Second, the Golden Knights have backup options to place into the lineup if they were to part ways with him. Theodore’s injury limits that a bit, but Kaedan Korczak and Ben Hutton give the Golden Knights an abundance of defensemen, offering flexibility.
To some teams, Hague would be even more valuable than Connelly because he’s already proven at the NHL level. He’s a Stanley Cup champion who can step into any lineup instantly. It’ll all depend on the future outlook of the team involved in the trade.
The latest update to our prospect rankings is here. There’s been quite a bit of movement since the last update including four new draft picks, an undrafted free agent, and a lot of prospects headed out. Here are the top four skaters, to find the full rankings, click here…
Must be younger than 23 years old for skaters, 25 years old for goalies
Cannot have played more than 10 NHL games
Must be either under contract or drafted by the Golden Knights
Players are ranked based on value to the organization. The most important factor is the player’s ceiling, or how good they can eventually become, but also taken into consideration is how close they are to playing in the NHL and how likely they are to play in the NHL. This is NOT a ranking of which players are the best if a game were to be held today.
Removed since last update: Brendan Brisson (NHL Experience), David Edstrom (Trade), Layton Ahac (Free Agency), Mason Primeau (Free Agency), Patrick Guay (Free Agency), Marcus Kallionkieli (Contract Terminated), Jiri Patera (Free Agency)
On the ice, Connelly looks every bit the part of a 1st round pick. He was terrific in his single scrimmage at Development Camp before picking up an injury that kept him out of the second one. His speed is noticeable in all three zones, he has poise with the puck, and his playmaking ability both shooting and passing is excellent. Supposedly there was some discussion of signing an ELC and heading to the WHL this season but instead he’ll go to Providence College. He is the clear blue chip prospect in the VGK system at the moment, it’ll be up to him to continue on that path.
What a year it was for Cataford. The well-rounded offensive weapon posted 40 goals and 90 points in 65 games en route to winning the league MVP in the high-scoring QMJHL. He then came to the Silver Knights for a few games at the end of the season and didn’t look completely out of place, recording two assists. In Development Camp there were times he looked like an offensive dynamo but also moments where his foot speed appeared to need improvement as he moved up in competition level This Summer he was dealt in the QMJHL for five picks including two 1st rounders to Memorial Cup hosts, Rimouski. He’ll play one more season in Juniors before leaping the AHL. Expect massive numbers this year once again.
More on Cataford
10/5/23 – Ranking: 6 – Cataford is off to a blazing start in the Q, scoring six points in his first three games. Not unexpected, but he did not show much in Development Camp and did not play in the rookie games. He plays with a lot of energy and definitely seems like a complementary player as opposed to a true line driver, however, he’s still so young, so there’s tons of time to develop.
The power forward has high expectations for this coming year after his first full season as a professional. Speaking to the media following a Development Camp session, Demek said he believes he will make it to the NHL this season. Because of his unique skillset in the VGK system, it’s not totally out of the picture, but he’s going to have to leapfrog a lot of people to make it happen. He’s big, strong, and moves well enough, but not often do players go from scoring 16 points in 56 games in the AHL to making an impact in the NHL. His best bet will be to start dominating in Henderson, which he did not do in Development Camp.
More on Demek
10/5/23 – Ranking: 8 – Like his fellow Jakub above him, Demek did not overwhelm this offseason either. The good news on him is that he was proven to be much more ready physically than many of his counterparts on this list. He should do well in the AHL, the question remains if the skill level is there to be a consistent NHL contributor.
2/11/23 – Ranking: 12 – Injuries have ruined Demek’s year as he has yet to step foot on the ice. There’s still a lot of upside with him assuming he returns to form after the injuries.
8/16/22 – Ranking: 15 – Demek’s size is unmistakable on the ice and he uses it to his favor both in forechecking and making life difficult in front of opponents’ goal. The problem is that it doesn’t often translate to much as was the case in Edmonton at World Juniors. There’s still a strong hope he can become a defensive option in the forward pool.
2/23/22 – Ranking: 19 – From basically unscouted to posting 44 points in 38 games in the WHL, Demek is already a bit of a success story. He was selected to play for Team Slovakia at World Juniors as well but only got to play in two games with them before the tournament was shut down. He remains the biggest dark horse in the VGK prospect pool.
8/7/21 – Ranking: 26 – We’re still trying to figure out how the Golden Knights found this kid as he was unlisted on most draft guides and was ranked very poorly by NHL Central Scouting. VGK have reached for players like this before and they’ve succeeded at the lower levels. Let’s see if Demek can do it as well.
Cormier’s best game of the season came in the most important one he played. The 21-year-old looked right at home in his NHL debut, recording an assist and nearly scoring a goal. The defensive concerns that have followed him did not appear in his two NHL appearances, but they did shine through at times in the AHL. Watching just minor league games, it would have been tough to project Cormier to be ready to play in the NHL, but when he got his shot, he took it and looked great. There’s still a few players he needs to push past to get a full-time NHL chance, but he’s in the mix.
More on Cormier
10/5/23 – Ranking: 9 – Cormier continues to head in the wrong direction as his offensive game has not popped as expected and his defensive decision-making has been troublesome. There are penalty issues that have cropped up as well. There was a time he was looked at as the next prospect to break through on the blue line, now he’s certainly in the double digits on the VGK depth chart of defensemen.
2/11/23 – Ranking: 4 – The explosiveness that we saw from Cormier in juniors, Development Camp, and Rookie Camp simply has not translated as cleanly to the AHL as hoped. That doesn’t mean he’s a bad player with HSK, he’s certainly not, but the tools that had him looking like he had an NHL future aren’t shining through as clearly. He still moves very well and has good instincts with the puck on his stick, he just needs to refine his overall game a bit more. I wouldn’t rule out a trip to the NHL next year for him, but it doesn’t look as clear-cut as it did a year ago.
8/16/22 – Ranking: 3 – All Lukas Cormier does is post numbers. He once again won the Defenseman of the Year award in the QMJHL (first guy ever to win it back-to-back) and he looked comfortable at both Development Camp and World Juniors. Questions will continue to remain about how well he’ll hold up in the defensive end against pros, but his offensive game is easily good enough to play at the NHL level. He’ll probably play at least a full year in the AHL before he makes any real push for playing time with the Golden Knights.
2/23/22 – Ranking: 6 – In maybe the least surprising prospect news, Lukas Cormier is filling it up in the QMJHL. He’s been doing it for three years and is likely to continue his upward trajectory in Juniors. He was also selected to Team Canada and played in two games in World Juniors before it was postponed. It wasn’t perfect for him in that tournament, but he was able to get on the board with a point and an assist. The question marks are still there, but he’s still looking like he could be a 3rd round diamond in the rough.
8/7/21 – Ranking: 5 – Cormier took the most significant jump in this edition of the rankings and it’s well deserved. 54 points in 39 games in the regular season to go along with nine more in eight playoff games cannot go unrecognized. He’s still young and with his small frame, he’s likely to take a little longer to even be ready for the AHL, let alone the NHL. He should get a chance to participate in training camp with VGK and maybe even get into a few preseason games. Both will be key in seeing where the ceiling could be on him. Basing it just on his junior stats though, the ceiling is very high.
2/3/21 – Ranking: 10 – This kid is a little firecracker and he’s going to be a fun one to keep an eye on as his career progresses. He’s an offensive wizard, especially on the power play and he’s feisty enough to give people problems in his own end. 21 points in his first 14 QMJHL games has people in Eastern Canada buzzing and his invitation to the ridiculously stacked Team Canada World Junior camp should turn heads. We’re a long way from seeing Lukas in a Golden or even Silver Knights jersey, but there’s absolutely some intriguing upside here.
The final event of the summer has come and gone with VGK prospects wrapping up Development Camp at City National Arena this afternoon. The young players participated in a pair of scrimmages as well as a host of practices over the week. Here are my takeaways, mostly from the two scrimmages.
Trevor Connelly
Unfortunately, VGK’s 1st round pick this year picked up a knock that kept him out of the second scrimmage, but he was impressive in the first one. The biggest element of his game that stood out was his composure on the puck. Once he gets it, he looks so comfortable, plays with his head up, and is always looking to advance the play. There haven’t been a ton of 1st round picks that have come through VGK Development Camp, but of the ones that have, Connelly was the most impressive in their first appearance.
Carl Lindbom
The Swedish goaltender who had a monster season in the SHL showed well in his appearances in the scrimmages. He’s not the largest guy so you’d expect him to need to be very athletic to make saves, but it’s not necessary with the fluidity of his movement. This isn’t to say he’s not athletic, it’s just that he rarely puts himself into a position where he needs to rely on recovery moves to make saves. He confirmed the plan is to play in North America this year, so his stock could shoot through the roof in the next 12 months.
With the 19th pick in the draft, Vegas selected a player who has apologized for posting an anti-Semitic picture on social media, confessed to urinating on a student’s belongings, and was accused of directing a racial slur at an opposing player. There are also claims of punching, slew-footing, and verbally abusing teammates at different points on the seven teams he played on between the ages of 13 and 17. (If you haven’t read the article in The Athletic yet, stop what you are doing and read it now.)
In selecting Trevor Connelly, the Golden Knights have taken a giant risk in the name of winning hockey games.
The 18-year-old Southern California-born forward is one hell of a hockey player. At times during his junior career, he’s been considered a top-five talent and was regarded as one of, if not the, best player at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup U18 tournament last summer.
To ever make it as a hockey player though the words spoken by both Connelly himself and VGK GM Kelly McCrimmon after being drafted must materialize in his actions. Each spoke about how the teenager made mistakes, learned from them, and grew to be a mature, caring, charitable person.
Unfortunately, due to his checkered past, words aren’t going to cut it. To be able to chalk up his prior transgressions to childlike mistakes as they’ve been portrayed, he must prove his reformation as a person day in and day out for years and years to come. Until he does that, his talents as a hockey player are trivial.
The next chapter in the life of Trevor Connelly is now linked to the Vegas Golden Knights.
Entering this draft, Connelly’s history has been well publicized and it was clear many teams removed him from their draft boards completely. Vegas were willing to stick their necks out for this player like no team before them were.
Now, they have to be right.
The Golden Knights are an organization that has always talked about the importance of character. For months leading into the Expansion Draft they stressed their focus on selecting great human beings, even over great hockey players. During their initial run of success and all the way through winning the Stanley Cup, they attributed a large portion of the success to the culture that was built through exceptional integrity of the locker room.
All of that now rests in the actions of a supposedly reformed juvenile.
If more comes out about Connelly or if he makes another mistake even close to as grievous as those in his past, it will be a stain on everything the Golden Knights have stood for over the first eight years of their existence.
The Golden Knights say they’ve done their due diligence. The player has apologized and taken steps to correct his mistakes. The pieces are there for this to work out and it to go down as an awesome story of a young man’s growth as he becomes an adult.
But the pieces are also there for this to be one of the worst mistakes in the history of the NHL Draft, and one that was easily avoidable.
It’s up to Trevor Connelly with the help of the Vegas Golden Knights to decide which story this becomes.
