Jakub Brabenec – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2026 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #26 Vegas Golden Knights – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 18:00:40 +0000

Björklövens Jakob Ihs-Wozniak
Photo: Johan Löf / BILDBYRÅ

Prospect System Ranking – 26th (Last Year - 30th)

GM: Kelly McCrimmon Hired: September 2019
COACH: John Tortorella Hired: March 2026

Draft capital has never been a top priority for the Vegas Golden Knights. That approach is perhaps best illustrated by the fact that they have made just four selections in each of the past three drafts. But when a franchise has reached the playoffs in eight of its first nine seasons — including two Stanley Cup Final appearances and a championship — the urgency to build through the draft becomes far less pressing.

Since entering the league in 2018, Vegas has consistently leveraged its premium picks and prospects as currency to acquire proven NHL talent. Of the organization’s eight total first-round selections, only one remains in the system: Trevor Connelly. Now beginning his professional career, the 20-year-old forward has shown early signs that his offensive production can translate to the AHL level. Despite missing time due to injury, Connelly has produced at nearly a point-per-game pace as one of the Henderson Silver Knights’ most dynamic forwards.

Between the pipes, Carl Lindbom (140th) has also turned heads during his rookie campaign with Henderson. Despite the Silver Knights struggling to remain highly competitive, the young goaltender has posted a strong 12–5–6 record, accounting for half of the club’s wins while already earning appearances with the NHL squad in Vegas. Connelly and Lindbom headline a group of young Silver Knights prospects who dominate the organization’s rankings, including Lukas Cormier (168th), Viliam Kmec, Mathieu Cataford, Tuomas Uronen, Jakub Brabenec, and Ben Hemmerling.

The reality, however, is that Vegas continues to operate with one of the league’s thinnest prospect pools. For the Golden Knights, prospects are rarely viewed as long-term cornerstones. And in Vegas, the deck can always change overnight.

NHL	RNK	PLAYER	POS	AGE	HT/WT	2024-25 TM	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
VGK	1	Trevor Connelly	LW	20	6-1/160	Henderson (AHL)	46	14	35	49	18
VGK	2	Jakob Ihs Wozniak	RW	19	6-3/190	Bjorkloven (Allsvenskan)	36	9	14	23	12
VGK	3	Carl Lindbom	G	23	6-1/165	Henderson (AHL)	35	24	5	2.16	0.926
VGK	4	Lukas Cormier	D	24	5-11/190	Henderson (AHL)	49	8	39	47	32
VGK	5	Tuomas Uronen	RW	21	5-11/180	Henderson (AHL)	57	12	8	20	34
VGK	6	Pavel Moysevich	G	21	6-7/190	SKA-VMF St. Petersburg (VHL)	10	5	3	2.41	0.917
VGK	7	Lucas Van Vliet	C	20	6-2/180	St. Thomas (NCAA)	37	14	21	35	21
VGK	8	Mateo Nobert	C	18	6-0/170	Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)	62	30	48	78	14
VGK	9	Matyas Sapovaliv	C	22	6-3/180	Henderson (AHL)	72	18	17	35	8
VGK	10	Ben Hemmerling	RW	22	5-10/160	Henderson (AHL)	68	21	29	50	16
VGK	11	Mathieu Cataford	C	21	5-11/185	Henderson (AHL)	59	3	10	13	24
VGK	12	Jakub Brabenec	C	22	6-1/175	Henderson (AHL)	62	12	19	31	34
VGK	13	Jozef Viliam Kmec	D	22	6-1/200	Henderson (AHL)	65	4	12	16	27
VGK	14	Cameron Whitehead	G	22	6-3/170	Tahoe (ECHL)	24	12	9	3.01	0.921
VGK	14	Cameron Whitehead	G	22	6-3/170	Henderson (AHL)	17	6	7	3.54	0.873
VGK	15	Alex Weiermair	C	21	6-1/190	Portland (WHL)	66	37	56	93	28
VGK	15	Alex Weiermair	C	21	6-1/190	Tahoe (ECHL)	2	0	1	1	0

1. Trevor Connelly, LW, Henderson Silver Knights (AHL)

Trevor Connelly’s game is all about speed and skill. He’s an extremely quick winger who can get up to top speed in almost no time, and he can use his blazing speed to burn NHL-level defenders. Connelly is also extremely skilled with the puck; his hands are fantastic and he can make plays to his linemates that seem impossible to the naked eye. Much was made of the fact that Connelly left Providence College after one season, but he has been good this year offensively with the Silver Knights in a feature role (36GP, 11-27-38), even though he has missed time this year due to injury. Like any young player, Connelly’s defensive zone game is still a work in progress, but he’s never going to be counted upon to shut players down at the next level. Connelly ultimately projects as a top six forward who can be an offensive difference maker at the NHL level, but he still needs more time at the AHL level to grow stronger and round out his game.

2. Jakob Ihs Wozniak, RW, IF Björklöven (Allsvenskan)

Ihs Wozniak has taken an important step in his development this season through increased opportunity at the professional level. He began the year in the SHL with Luleå but moved on loan to Björklöven in Allsvenskan, where he has made a strong impact in a larger role. The move has clearly benefited his development, giving him more ice time and responsibility and allowing his game to grow in a bigger role. His overall play looks more composed, particularly in how he manages pace and makes decisions under pressure. His strengths are built around mobility, work rate, and situational awareness, with clear offensive instincts as a finisher. He has also shown flashes of the scoring touch that defined his U20 play. While that finishing ability is still developing at the professional level, his confidence attacking scoring areas and releasing pucks quickly is trending upward. Areas for continued growth include adding strength and improving shift-to-shift consistency. From a projection standpoint, Ihs Wozniak projects as a developing role player with offensive upside, with the potential to grow into a middle six scoring option if his progression continues. His most realistic path involves continued development at the professional level, with NHL consideration dependent on physical development and consistent performance over time.

3. Carl Lindbom, G, Henderson Silver Knights (AHL)

Carl Lindbom is a decent-sized goalie with nice athleticism who has really put together some excellent play over the past couple of seasons, especially this year with the Henderson Silver Knights (35GP, 24-5-8, 2.16 GAA, 0.926 SV%), his second season in North America. Lindbom’s game is all about his athleticism in the crease; he’s fantastic at propelling his body to make those near-impossible saves, and he can extend his body to make it seem like he’s bigger in the crease than his 6-foot-1 frame suggests. Lindbom does need to continue to work on his rebound control, as he is prone to giving out juicy rebounds every now and then, but he does compete hard in the crease, especially when he has to fight through heavy net-front traffic. Lindbom needs more time to build experience in his game at the AHL level, but he is tracking well and it looks like he might have the tools to become a future starting goalie at the NHL level.

4. Lukas Cormier, D, Henderson Silver Knights (AHL)

Lukas Cormier has really revived his status as an NHL prospect with his excellent play this season for the Henderson Silver Knights (49 GP, 8-39-47). Cormier dealt with the injury bug last season, and it really put his prospect status with the Vegas Golden Knights on hold. This season, however, Cormier has really taken off offensively as the main point man for the Silver Knights. Cormier’s game is all about his offensive awareness; he is a very smart defender who is great at shooting for rebounds, but he can also make a quick dish to set a teammate up from the flank. Cormier’s not the biggest of players, however, and there are times in his own zone when he’s too easy to knock off the puck. At the NHL level, Cormier will not be expected to play on a penalty kill, but he will need to show that he is capable of playing regular five-on-five minutes in his own zone. Cormier’s getting there, and he should get his opportunity in the NHL very soon.

5. Tuomas Uronen, RW, Henderson Silver Knights (AHL)

Tuomas Uronen might be a bit of an unknown to many Golden Knights fans, but he has had a good rookie season so far with the Henderson Silver Knights at the AHL level (57GP, 12-8-20) in a depth role. Uronen’s game is all about his intelligence with and without the puck; he knows where to be positionally to get the puck back from the opposition, but he’s also an underrated playmaker who can create scoring opportunities out of nothing for his linemates. Uronen’s also gotten to utilize his underrated shot this season and has cashed in goals from some of the more difficult areas of the ice. Uronen does need to work on his physicality, especially in his own zone, but he is tracking well as a future depth contributor for the Vegas Golden Knights. He probably doesn’t have enough high-end skill to become an offensive contributor at the NHL level, but a long career as a middle six two-way player is not out of the question for the young player from Finland.

6. Pavel Moysevich, G, St. Petersburg (VHL)

Moysevich is back in the VHL following a disappointing season in the KHL last year. The 6-foot-7 giant has put up good numbers in limited action, as he got hurt in October, not returning till mid-January. He's gifted with a fascinating combination of size and body control, eating up the entire net when squared up or moving laterally. His massive pads cover the entire width of the crease when he's in the butterfly or hugging the post. When he is focused and able to get square to shooters, he is very difficult to beat. The problem is, Moysevich is still raw and hasn't played many games over the past four seasons. He can really struggle to track pucks and anticipate plays in some games, and when he's late to his spot, he doesn't have time to get set or adjust his angle. His reactions are also a little slow at times and pucks can bleed through him or lead to juicy rebounds for the opposition. His freakish size covers up these holes for now, but we have to see him recreate that success he had in the KHL two years ago. If he can iron out the deficiencies, there could be a solid NHL backup goalie or 1B tandem option.

7. Lucas Van Vliet, LW, University of St. Thomas (NCAA)

A product of the USA NTDP, Van Vliet had a great season at the University of St. Thomas this year, putting up 34 points in 35 games, good enough to land him a CCHA Rookie of the Year award. There is definitely some offensive potential in his game as is evidenced with the collegiate point totals, but still some other areas that need to be improved before making the pro jump. Van Vliet brings an already established good size to the table, being listed at 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds. He is an interesting prospect who brings a combination of decent scoring skills and playmaking abilities. The one area that stands out is his skating; the freshman can maneuver around the ice effortlessly and his ability to manipulate space and avoid defenders is solid. Exiting the NTDP as a draft eligible player, the biggest concern was consistency and engagement, but that was much better in the NCAA as a freshman. There is a potential bottom six forward for the Golden Knights here, as long as the development curve continues to rise moving forward.

8. Mateo Nobert, C, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)

Since being drafted 85th overall in last year’s draft, Mateo Nobert has taken steps both on and off the ice in regard to his development. After seeing him in person this year a few times, Nobert has visibly added to his frame; he looks stronger and larger than a year ago, showing once again why late birthdays (August, in this case) should be factored in when evaluating prospects. With his additional strength, Nobert has been a more efficient off puck player this season, engaging in more puck battles and being very comfortable playing the screen game in front of the net. While his skill level has not taken a huge step, his overall game is rounding out, increasing his chances of reaching the NHL one day with the Flyers. Nobert exceeded his points total from last season (78) and currently has six lesser games played. He will have a key role in Armada’s post-season, who have the roster strength to potentially represent the QMJHL in the Memorial Cup.

9. Matyas Sapovaliv, C, Henderson Silver Knights (AHL)

Matyas Sapovaliv is an interesting prospect because he doesn’t seem to know what he is yet at the pro level. Sapovaliv has the size (6-foot-4, 204 pounds) to become an effective bottom six forward who can be difficult to play against at both ends of the ice, but it’s almost as if he’s afraid to really take advantage of his large frame physically against men at the AHL level. Sapovaliv has tried to be more of a skill player at the pro level with the Henderson Silver Knights (72GP, 18-17-35), but he does not have enough high-end skill to completely disregard the use of his frame at the next level. As such, Sapovaliv has to really decide what he is over the next couple of seasons at the AHL level. If he learns to take better advantage of his size and develop a mean streak, a future bottom-six contributor could be here. If not, it’s more than likely he ends up back in Europe after his entry-level contract comes to an end.

10. Ben Hemmerling, RW, Henderson Silver Knights (AHL)

Ben Hemmerling has been one of the better players for the Henderson Silver Knights this season (68GP, 21-29-50), where he has utilized his offensive skill to create scoring opportunities despite having a slightly undersized frame. Hemmerling is always a threat to score when the puck is on his stick, but he’s also an extremely efficient passer who is very effective in short range segments with the puck. Hemmerling is more of a perimeter player, however, so it would be nice for him to really build some strength so that he can drive more of the play as an offensive contributor on his line. Defensively, Hemmerling is fine in his own zone, which shouldn’t limit his deployment at the NHL level, but he’s more of a scoring talent who will need to carve out a role in the top six at the NHL level. The debate still remains as to whether Hemmerling’s ceiling is high enough for such a role, so he may end up being an NHL-AHL tweener.

11. Mathieu Cataford, C, Henderson Silver Knights (AHL)

To call Cataford’s first pro season a disappointment would be an understatement. The former QMJHL star and Canadian WJC player has been a near non-factor at the AHL level as a rookie. He’s got a well-rounded skill set, but he’ll need to carve out a niche to be an NHL player.

12. Jakub Brabanec, C, Henderson Silver Knights (AHL)

More was expected of Brabanec this year as a third-year pro, but he’s only moderately improved his production. A talented playmaker, Brabanec has yet to find a defined role with Henderson.

13. Villiam Kmec, D, Henderson Silver Knights (AHL)

Following a breakout offensive season in the WHL with Prince George last year, Kmec has settled into more of a defensive role as a first year AHL player. The big defender has a well-rounded skill set and could develop into a useful bottom pairing defender in the future.

14. Cameron Whitehead, G, Tahoe Knight Monsters (ECHL) (Currently with Henderson Silver Knights, AHL)

Following two solid seasons at Northeastern, Whitehead signed with Vegas last year and expectations were pretty high for him as a first-year pro. However, he’s struggled at the AHL level…although he performed well at the ECHL level.

15. Alex Weiermair, C, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)

An overage draft selection by the Golden Knights last year, Weiermair has continued his upward trajectory in the WHL this year by improving his consistency and production. He can really shoot the puck and is an asset on the powerplay. However, Weiermair also has a solid all-around game. It will be interesting to see how he performs in the NCAA.

MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #30

The McKeen's Scouting Team — Sat, 20 Sep 2025 19:58:16 +0000

Prospect System Ranking – 30th (May 2025 - 28th)
GM: Kelly McCrimmon Hired: September 2019
COACH: Bruce Cassidy Hired: June 2022

In true Vegas Golden Knights fashion, the offseason headline wasn’t about building for the future, rather landing the biggest name available. The addition of Mitch Marner instantly bolstered an already potent forward group, further cementing their all-in approach.

As expected, that win-now mentality translated to a quiet showing at the draft. The Knights made just four selections, with Swedish forward Jakob Ihs Wozniak (Luleå) being the only one to crack McKeens’ top 250.

Outside the Marner splash, Vegas remained relatively low-key during the 2024-25 season, including at the trade deadline. That restraint meant 2024 first-rounder Trevor Connelly stayed put. After signing his entry-level contract, Connelly turned pro following a single season at Providence College. His shifty, dual-threat skill set makes him one of the few legitimate impact prospects in the system.

In junior, 2023 sixth-round pick Tuomas Uronen erupted for 90 points in 63 OHL games with Kingston, capping it off with an outstanding playoff performance. Over in the QMJHL, Mathieu Cataford earned a spot at the World Juniors and will finish his junior career at the Memorial Cup with Rimouski. Both are primed to make the jump to the AHL in the near future.

On defense, Lukas Cormier has been limited to just 17 AHL games this season due to injury, while Viliam Kmec joined Henderson after a productive 61-point final junior campaign.

The reality is that Vegas’s prospect pool remains one of the thinnest in the league. GM Kelly McCrimmon has never been shy about flipping young assets for proven NHL talent, and the results speak for themselves.

For the Golden Knights, prospects aren’t long-term cornerstones; they’re trade chips. And in Vegas, you never know who will still be in the deck tomorrow.

Vegas Golden Knights Top-15 Prospects

1 - Trevor Connelly

Connelly showed a mix of offensive flashes and inconsistent play last season. Playing top six minutes in games at Providence College, he was primarily deployed at even strength and on the power play. Being injured for a chunk of the season was also a challenge for him as a freshman. Early reports praised his creativity, deceptive puck skills, and offensive vision, projecting him as a potential top six NHL forward. However, as the season progressed, his inconsistency became evident. His offensive upside remained apparent, particularly in net-front situations and below the goal line, but his defensive game and compete level lagged. Connelly frequently cheated for offence and lacked defensive responsibility. While he displayed occasional physicality and board battle engagement, his low effort and poor positioning limited his overall impact. If he can improve his compete level and defensive awareness, Connelly has the tools to become a middle six NHL scoring forward, but his long-term success will hinge on addressing these weaknesses. It will be very interesting to see how he does in the AHL this upcoming season and what Vegas has planned for him.

2 - Carl Lindbom

Lindbom has transitioned smoothly into being a high level AHL goalie. His elite positioning, footwork, anticipation, tracking, and high-end athleticism have transitioned well to the North American game. The biggest concern with his game last season was how he dealt with screens, either making poor decisions with how to play it or being hesitant in making saves. He seems to have completely overhauled this aspect, learning to fight through screens more efficiently and rid himself of any hesitation. For the past two seasons, he has dealt with an injury, missing a significant portion of the season. Because of this, he has never had the opportunity to shoulder a large workload across a full season, which, if he can’t do so, will limit his capabilities as a true starter in the NHL. Nevertheless, the tools he possesses are so great and the weaknesses in his game so miniscule that he is still one of the best goalie prospects in the league with an elite ceiling if he stays healthy.

3 - Jakob Ihs Wozniak

When you draft as infrequently as the Knights, high-risk, high-reward players like Jakob Ihs Wozniak are exactly the type of prospects you should be betting on. JIW is a sniper. The quality of his shot is sensational, and he very clearly thinks the game at a higher level than his peers. He’s got high-end offensive instincts and is such a crafty passer. He’s lights out on the power play and is learning to apply the same creativity and efficiency at even strength. He probably won’t drive his line at the NHL level based on his limited pace but can complement higher octane line mates who can. Finding a way to make a consistent impact away from the puck is going to be the key hurdle to vault for Ihs Wozniak. Despite his formidable size, his physical game is still a major work in progress. There isn’t always a consistent compete level, and one does not simply learn how to compete or to hate to lose. If he wants to stick at higher levels, he’ll have no choice but to learn how to compete at the SHL level first. Provided that comes after some seasoning in Luleå, Ihs Wozniak could reach his upside as a top nine complementary goal scoring winger and power play weapon.

4 - Lukas Cormier

After missing almost most of last season due to injury, Cormier returned late in the year to AHL action. The former two-time winner of the QMJHL’s most outstanding defenceman award is a high-end offensive blueliner. He can quarterback the power play. He walks and holds the offensive blueline well. He can lead the breakout. His mobility is a major asset for him. However, after a strong rookie season as a pro, the last two haven’t exactly gone according to plan. Undoubtedly, Cormier will need to have a huge offseason and training camp if he wants to stay in Vegas’ long-term plans; he is no longer exempt from waivers next year. There’s still hope that he can develop into a quality offensive defender at the NHL level, but that hope is dwindling. Maybe the Pietrangelo injury opens up a spot for Cormier?

5 - Tuomas Uronen

Without question, the highlight of Uronen’s game is his shot. He can really rifle the puck, and he works hard to earn his chances too. When you combine that with a deceptively quick stride and a power game, you have a player who has a high chance of developing into a solid complementary piece at the NHL level. The decision to return to the OHL and the subsequent trade to Kingston really did wonders for Uronen’s game and development. The previous year, with Ottawa, was a lost year due to injury. Additionally, his draft year was a disappointing one after he entered his draft year receiving first-round hype; a poor year led to him falling all the way to the sixth round where Vegas selected him. However, he does look like he has his development back on a positive track.

6 - Mathieu Cataford

Mathieu Cataford was taken 77th overall by the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023, after scoring 75 points in 68 games. He improved the following season, scoring 90 points in three fewer games, ranking him third QMJHL points per game. After an early exit in the post season, Cataford signed his entry level contract and made the jump to the AHL for four games, adding some pro-level experience to his resume and scoring two points. Last season, Cataford was traded to Rimouski in preparation for the memorial cup. Though his regular season production dipped, he scored an impressive 18 points in 12 playoff games, good for fourth QMJHL playoffs points-per-game. In the Memorial Cup, Cataford even led his team with four points in three games. Cataford’s appeal lays in his well-rounded, swiss-army-knife style. Initially seen as an energy, off-puck player who forechecks and wears down his opponents, he has shown massive improvement in his confidence when carrying the puck and in his passing skills. He will adapt his game to his linemates, showing his intelligence. Cataford will likely play a bottom six penalty killing role in the NHL, while being able to support his linemates offensively with intelligent positioning and decent puck skills.

7 - Pavel Moysevich

Moysevich is a behemoth of a goalie, standing at a staggering 6-foot-7, a two-inch increase since last year. Unfortunately, however, his sophomore season with SKA did not have that same improvement after registering just a .898 save percentage - the third-worst clip on his team. He moves pretty well, given his size, and naturally takes up a ton of space. He also has surprisingly good control over his body, which is rarely seen in a 20-year-old with this stature. What he lacks is tracking and mental processing. He can often be behind plays and struggles to constantly follow the puck with his eyes. It can easily put him out of position, and he begins to scramble, losing all composure. He’s still a very raw prospect going into his D+3, but his combination of size and solid mobility is intriguing. His concerns are valid, and it means he likely won’t hit it big in the NHL and will need lots of time to refine his craft, but he has the potential to crack an NHL roster in the future.

8 - Braeden Bowman

Not all routes to the NHL are made the same. After a strong junior career with the OHL’s Guelph Storm, Bowman signed an AHL deal with Henderson this past season. After performing well as an AHL rookie, he parlayed that opportunity into an NHL deal with Henderson’s parent club, the Vegas Golden Knights. While Bowman finished just outside the top 20 in rookie scoring in the AHL, he did so on an extremely low scoring Henderson team. In fact, his 36 points were nearly tied for the team lead. The big winger is an excellent goal scoring option thanks to his heavy shot and penchant for getting to the net. As his skating continues to improve, so has his NHL projection. Bowman has now put himself in contention for a roster spot with Vegas in the next year and he projects as a possible bottom six and secondary power play option.

9 - Cameron Whitehead

Cameron Whitehead is a decent under-the-radar goalie prospect for Vegas. His skating is very good; he keeps things precise and very quick. He does a really good job staying with the play, displaying solid play reading and tracking skills - often making the right decisions. Outside of that, nothing stands out on the positive end. Negatively speaking, how he uses his stance and operates with perimeter play is a major concern. He opts for a very tall and relaxed stance, something he would use to minimize energy expenditure. But in doing so, when shots come, his first movement will be to get into a normal set position when the puck is already coming, providing him with much less time to react and make a save. It gives him a real weakness with point shots, and with how good defencemen are at shooting in the NHL, it could very easily be exploited. He’s a nice depth prospect to have and could turn into something more if given the proper development.

10 - Trent Swick

Swick is a really interesting bottom six prospect for the Golden Knights. An overage selection last year, Vegas was impressed by the three-year progression of Swick’s game as a Kitchener Ranger. Obviously, his massive frame didn’t hurt his chances either. Returning to the OHL this past year for a final season, Swick had another strong campaign, helping to lead Kitchener to a strong showing in the Western Conference. The power winger isn’t a traditional power forward, per say. He’s not a heavy hitter and he’ll need to become an even stronger net front presence as a pro. However, he’s a hard-working two-way player who excels as a playmaker because of his ability to keep plays alive along the wall and prolong possession. He finds a way to get himself or pucks to the middle of the ice and is largely an intelligent offensive support player. If he continues to improve his skating, he could be a Marcus Foligno type.

11 - Arttu Karki

Karki has an intriguing offensive toolkit with a hard shot and playmaking ability. He enters his second season in Liiga this year and will be looking to turn a corner offensively after adjusting to the pro game last season.

12 - Abram Wiebe

A sturdy left shot defenceman, Wiebe enters his third season at the University of North Dakota with some additional help around him, including the arrival of projected 2026 first rounder Keaton Verhoeff.

13 - Mateo Nobert

A crafty playmaking forward, Nobert had a standout draft year, finishing well above a point per game for Blainville. Nobert may be a candidate to eventually make the jump to the NCAA to round out his game.

14 - Jakub Brabenec

After establishing himself as a go-to offensive option to finish his junior career in the QMJHL, Brabenec has yet to find his offensive footing in the AHL. This season should be another step in that direction for the playmaker.

15 - Jakub Demek

The sizeable 6-foot- 4 winger registered 19 points in 31 games in his second pro season, a marked pace increase from the year prior. At his size and with his compete level, he moves surprisingly well and could be the next depth player to come out of seemingly nowhere for Vegas.

2025 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS – Top 15 NHL Affiliated Prospects

Sat, 17 May 2025 14:29:51 +0000

Lukas Cormier

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Vegas 25 Prospects

MCKEEN’S 2024-25 NHL YEARBOOK – VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #27

Introduction - Dave Hall, Profiles - Josh Bell — Sat, 14 Sep 2024 18:00:41 +0000

_{NEWARK, NJ - JANUARY 22: Vegas Golden Knights center Brendan Brisson (19) looks on during a game between the Vegas Golden Knights and New Jersey Devils on January 22, 2024 at Prudential Center in the Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andrew Mordzynski/Icon Sportswire)}

Prospect System Ranking – 27th (Previous Rank - 28th)
GM: Kelly McCrimmon Hired: September 2019
COACH: Bruce Cassidy Hired: June 2022

In a system that has made a reputation off shipping out youthful assets, the Vegas Golden Knights remain in the bottom half of McKeen’s prospect rankings. Drafting just four prospects in consecutive entry drafts, combined with dealing away much of their high-end talent – David Edstrom (109th ranked) being the latest victim – has left their prospect pipeline somewhat hollow.

That said, Vegas took a high-leverage swing at the podium in this year’s draft by selecting one of the more polarizing talents available in the first round (19th overall): Trevor Connelly. While there have been concerns both on and off the ice, his upside is undeniable, with a shifty profile and knack for putting up points as a dual-threat contributor. There is a reason why he’s McKeen’s 78th-ranked prospect.

Although the Knights continue to deal prospects and top-rated draft picks – no first-round picks until 2027 – they’ve held tight on notable hopefuls like Brendan Brisson (130th), as well as defencemen Kaeden Korczak (203rd) and Lukas Cormier (96th) – all of whom are primed to step onto the roster in short order, if not already.

Additionally, they’ve seen promising development from Arttu Karki, who made nice strides as a rookie on the Soo Greyhounds’ backend. Karki will return to Liiga for the 2024-25 season, but his 45 points in 59 OHL games as a third-round, 18-year-old defender suggest he’s a prospect worth watching.

Vegas does bring in Alexander Holtz, a former New Jersey Devils graduate who finally established himself as an NHL regular. Holtz is expected to slot into the team’s top nine forward group, with hopes he can build on his 28 points in 82 games from last season.

If Kelly McCrimmon has taught us anything, however, it’s that if you don’t like Vegas’ prospect pool, just wait a few months. With eyes perpetually on the Stanley Cup, this organization refuses to sit still and is always ready to trade youth for win-now assets. As long as Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, Tomas Hertl, William Karlsson, Shea Theodore, and Alex Pietrangelo are in town, this team will continue to push for immediate success.

Vegas Golden Knights Top-15 Prospects

1. Trevor Connelly

Trevor Connelly was one of the draft’s most polarizing players, with his final selection position shrouded in mystery before his name was called. His offensive upside is undeniable—some scouts argue he may be the 2024 NHL Draft’s most talented player behind Celebrini and Demidov. However, Connelly entered draft day surrounded by concerns both on and off the ice. His past blunders and inconsistent play, especially defensively and in off-puck engagement, were red flags. His discipline was notably lacking, exemplified by a crucial penalty at the U18s. Despite these issues, Connelly’s skill set is impressive. He’s a highly creative and elusive offensive player with excellent edgework and puck handling. His quick feet and vision can be exceptional, though his decision-making and first-step quickness need improvement. Connelly’s commitment to Providence College under coach Nate Leaman could help him become a more complete player.

2. Lukas Cormier

Despite a strong training camp showing, Lukas Cormier spent most of 2023-24 honing his skills in the AHL with the Henderson Silver Knights. The undersized defenceman (5-foot-10, 176 pounds) impressed with his steady defensive play. His hockey IQ and ability to avoid bad decisions in his own end were on display. His understanding of how to generate offence from the blueline is exceptional, spotting opportunities as they open up through the flow of play or activating his feet to create them himself. While not a flashy offensive producer, he chipped in with one assist in his limited NHL action (two games) and showed glimpses of offensive potential in the AHL. However, questions remain about his offensive upside. Can he translate his defensive reliability into a more complete two-way game at the NHL level? The Golden Knights likely view him as a future bottom pairing defenceman, but further offensive development could push him toward a more prominent role.

3. Brendan Brisson

Brendan Brisson is an offensively gifted forward known for his elite shooting ability and high hockey IQ. Standing at 6-foot-0 and 185 pounds, Brisson has a strong, compact frame that he uses to protect the puck and create space for himself in the offensive zone. His most outstanding asset is his shot—his release is quick, deceptive, and highly accurate, making him a constant threat on the power play and in even-strength situations. Brisson is also an adept playmaker, capable of setting up teammates with crisp, timely passes. He sees the ice well and often anticipates plays before they develop, showcasing his advanced hockey sense. While his skating is above average, with good acceleration and edge work, there’s room for improvement in his top-end speed. Defensively, Brisson is responsible and shows a commitment to his two-way game, though his focus remains on driving offence. He projects as a top six forward with significant power-play potential at the professional level.

4. Matyas Sapovaliv

Matyas Sapovaliv continued his ascent in the OHL with the Saginaw Spirit last season. The Knights' second-round pick (2022) led the team in scoring (62 points in 54 games) while showcasing his well-rounded skillset. His offensive prowess is undeniable. His hockey IQ shines below the circles, where he excels at creating scoring chances for himself and his linemates. He's not just a facilitator though, possessing a strong shot and the ability to finish in tight spaces. However, there is some worry regarding his consistency. There are stretches where he dominates, but there are also lulls in his production. Despite these questions, his overall performance is a positive sign for his future. He's on track for a potential pro debut this season, likely back in the AHL. If he can refine his consistency and continue to dominate offensively, Sapovaliv could push for a quicker NHL promotion.

5. Kaedan Korczak

Kaedan Korczak is a rugged and intelligent defenceman with a well-rounded game. He excels in his own end, using his quick feet and active stick to shut down opponents' attacks and clear the zone with ease. His vision and anticipation allow him to make smart passes and spark transition play, while his physicality and competitiveness make him a difficult opponent to face in puck battles. He does a good job under forecheck pressure by being sturdy on his feet and keeping his head up to scan the play in front of him and assess his options. The challenge is figuring out whether he can be effective enough in the NHL in that kind of role. With continued development, there is the potential to become a top four defenceman and a key contributor on the Golden Knights' blue line. He shows intriguing upside and projects as a reliable, two-way defender.

6. Pavel Moysevich

Pavel Moysevich is an athletic goaltender with impressive reflexes and a strong technical foundation. Standing at 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, he has the ideal size for a modern netminder, covering a lot of the net while still moving fluidly in the crease. Moysevich’s quickness is a key asset, particularly his lateral movement, which allows him to make sharp, reactive saves on cross-ice plays. His positioning is sound, and he does a good job of challenging shooters, playing aggressively at the top of his crease when necessary. Moysevich tracks the puck well, maintaining focus through traffic and making key saves in high-pressure situations. While he’s strong in stopping the first shot, his rebound control is an area for improvement, as he occasionally gives up second chances. Overall, Moysevich projects as a promising goaltender with the potential to develop into a reliable starter at the professional level, particularly with continued refinement of his game.

7. Mathieu Cataford

Mathieu Cataford is a slick and skilled forward with a high ceiling. He boasts elite speed and agility, allowing him to dance around defenders and create scoring chances in the blink of an eye. His vision and anticipation are exceptional, consistently identifying soft spots in coverage and delivering precision passes to exploit them. His quick release and accuracy make him a threat from anywhere on the ice. Offensively aware, he possesses strong instincts when it comes to positioning in the offensive zone and an ability to find the open ice. Always working hard to create space and to get open, he’s shown himself to be an extraordinarily complementary player and dependable forechecker. While he needs to add strength and physicality to his game, Cataford's upside as a top six forward and a key contributor to the Golden Knights' power play is undeniable. With continued development, he could become a dynamic and electrifying player in the NHL.

8. Jakub Brabenec

Jakub Brabenec is a slick and savvy playmaker with a knack for elevating his teammates' games. He boasts exceptional vision and anticipation, consistently identifying soft spots in coverage and delivering precision passes to exploit them. He is a lanky, smooth, multifaceted forward who can play wing or center, and slot up or down a lineup. He displays an impressive proficiency for transporting the puck across zones, keeping it out in front of him in stride, while also using his frame and reach to fend off backcheckers. His agility and quick feet allow him to navigate through traffic, while his soft hands and accuracy make him a threat from the slot. He's also a reliable defender, using his active stick and positioning to disrupt opponents' cycles. With continued refinement, Brabenec has the potential to become a top six forward and a contributor to the Golden Knights' power play as a playmaking center with a scoring touch.

9. Ben Hemmerling

Ben Hemmerling is a skilled and tenacious winger with a relentless motor. He excels in tight spaces, using his quick hands and agility to create scoring chances in the phone booth areas. His hockey IQ is high, consistently identifying soft spots in coverage and exploiting them with precision passing or well-placed shots. When he gets the puck, his vision makes him a strong playmaker too. He works well from below the goal line and from the half wall, drawing in to help defenders before finding a streaking teammate. His speed and acceleration allow him to pressure defenders, forcing turnovers and generating offence. While he may not be the biggest player, his compete level and smarts make him a pesky opponent, and his upside as a top six forward is considerable. With continued development he could become a valuable asset.

10. Arttu Karki

Arttu Karki is a promising defenceman with a solid all-around game. Standing at 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, he offers a blend of size and skill that makes him a valuable asset on the blue line. Karki’s skating is a strong point. He moves with fluidity and can transition quickly from defence to offence, which helps him contribute to both ends of the ice. Defensively, Karki is reliable and uses his size effectively to clear the crease and win puck battles. His positioning is generally strong, and he reads the play well to anticipate and disrupt opposing attacks. Offensively, Karki has good puck-moving ability and can make precise passes to initiate breakouts. His shot from the point is a potential weapon on the power play. While he could improve his physicality and defensive consistency, Karki’s skill set and potential make him an intriguing prospect for a top four role.

11. Cameron Whitehead

Cameron Whitehead, a 6-foot-3 goaltender, is an intriguing prospect with solid technique and impressive size. His athleticism and quick reflexes enable agile movements, and he had a strong season with the Lincoln Stars before joining Northeastern. Whitehead's vision and creativity in broken-play situations stand out, but he must improve his rebound control and puck handling. As a long-term project, he needs to harness his size better for future success.

12. Jackson Hallum

Jackson Hallum is a skilled forward with excellent skating and a quick release. His offensive creativity and ability to generate scoring chances are standout features. While he could enhance his defensive game and consistency, Hallum’s dynamic play and scoring touch offer promising potential for NHL development.

13. Jakub Demek

Jakub Demek is a dynamic forward with exceptional playmaking skills and a sharp hockey sense. His ability to create scoring opportunities and read the game is impressive. While his skating could use improvement, Demek’s offensive creativity and vision make him a high-upside prospect with significant NHL potential.

14. Carl Lindbom

Carl Lindbom stands out as a reliable goaltender with impressive agility and quick reflexes. His ability to track pucks and maintain composure under pressure is notable. While he could benefit from refining his rebound control and positioning, Lindbom’s potential as a future starter is clear with continued development.

15. Daniil Chayka

Daniil Chayka is a solid defensive prospect with strong positional awareness and physicality. His skating and puck movement are reliable, contributing effectively to both ends of the ice. While he could improve his offensive instincts and decision-making under pressure, Chayka’s defensive reliability and size provide a path to the NHL.

MCKEEN’S 2024 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #28 Vegas Golden Knights – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Player Profiles - Josh Bell, Organizational Overview - Robert Howard — Wed, 29 May 2024 21:00:23 +0000

Last year’s Stanley Cup Champions bowed out in the first round of the playoffs, despite adding some very high-end pieces for the playoffs. The additions came through trading youth and picks for playoff depth, but also through once again adding players off of LTIR prior to the playoffs, including captain Mark Stone. This allowed them an additional $15.9 million in cap space to utilize at the trade deadline. They took full advantage and moved their 2025 first round pick and David Edstrom (1st round 2023) for Tomas Hertl and picks. They then moved their 2026 first rounder along with Daniil Mirimanov for Noah Hanifin. Hanifin was a potential rental, but GM McCrimmon inked him to an eight-year, contract with an AAV of $7.35 million, solidifying one of the best defense groups in the NHL. Hertl was already under contract for another six seasons at a cap friendly $6.75 million. Both players are part of a core that is entirely focused on re-capturing the cup for the foreseeable future.

Given McCrimmon’s penchant for weaponizing future assets, the organization has drafted in the first round four out of the last five drafts. The only one of those picks that hasn’t subsequently been moved is Brendan Brisson. Peyton Krebs was moved to Buffalo as a piece in the huge Jack Eichel trade, while Zach Dean was moved for Ivan Barbashev. Despite these moves, there are some excellent prospects at the top of this pool. Brisson has the potential to be a star - we’ll just have to see if it’s for the Golden Knights or another organization given their track record. Defenseman Lukas Cormier continues to impress in his development, earning him the top spot in the Vegas pipeline and a spot at 74th overall on McKeen’s list. Matyas Sapovaliv is another one that continues to outperform what’s expected of him. There’s a pretty significant drop after this, but that shouldn’t be an issue for a few more years as this core is signed for another three-plus seasons.

RNK	PLAYER	POS	AGE	HT/WT	TM	Acquired	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
1	Lukas Cormier	D	22	5-10/180	Henderson (AHL)	`20(68th)	58	4	16	20	33
					Vegas (NHL)	`20(68th)	2	0	1	1	0
2	Brendan Brisson	C	22	5-11/180	Henderson (AHL)	`20(29th)	52	19	19	38	42
					Vegas (NHL)	`20(29th)	15	2	6	8	2
3	Matyas Sapovaliv	C	20	6-3/180	Saginaw (OHL)	`22(48th)	54	19	43	62	22
4	Mathieu Cataford	C	19	5-11/185	Halifax (QMJHL)	`23(77th)	65	40	50	90	33
5	Grigori Denisenko	LW	23	5-11/185	Henderson (AHL)	W(Fla-10/23)	65	20	36	56	50
					Vegas (NHL)	W(Fla-10/23)	6	0	0	0	2
6	Kaedan Korczak	D	23	6-3/190	Vegas (NHL)	`19(41st)	26	1	8	9	8
					Henderson (AHL)	`19(41st)	26	1	8	9	28
7	Jakub Brabenec	C	20	6-1/175	Henderson (AHL)	`21(102nd)	48	6	7	13	16
8	Ben Hemmerling	RW	20	5-10/160	Everett (WHL)	`22(177th)	65	30	61	91	74
9	Arttu Karki	D	19	6-1/175	Soo Greyhounds (OHL)	`23(96th)	59	21	24	45	10
10	Cameron Whitehead	G	20	6-3/170	Northeastern (HE)	`22(128th)	35	17	14	2.62	0.917
11	Jackson Hallum	LW	21	6-0/170	Michigan (B1G)	`20(91st)	9	3	5	8	0
12	Isaiah Saville	G	23	6-1/190	Henderson (AHL)	`19(135th)	22	7	12	3.27	0.893
13	Jakub Demek	C	20	6-4/195	Henderson (AHL)	`21(128th)	55	7	9	16	22
14	Carl Lindbom	G	20	6-1/165	Farjestads (SHL)	`21(222nd)	26	17	7	2.12	0.911
15	Jiri Patera	G	25	6-2/210	Henderson (AHL)	`17(161st)	25	11	10	2.99	0.903

1. Lukas Cormier, D, Henderson Silver Knights (AHL)

Despite a strong training camp showing, Lukas Cormier spent most of 2023-24 honing his skills in the AHL with the Henderson Silver Knights. The undersized defenseman (5’ 0”, 176 lbs) impressed with his steady defensive play. His hockey IQ and ability to avoid bad decisions in his own end were on display. His understanding of how to generate offense from the blueline is exceptional, spotting opportunities as they open up through the flow of play or activating his feet to create them himself. While not a flashy offensive producer, he chipped in with one assist in his limited NHL action (two games) and showed glimpses of offensive potential in the AHL. However, questions remain about his offensive upside. Can he translate his defensive reliability into a more complete two-way game at the NHL level? The Golden Knights likely view him as a future bottom-pairing defenseman, but further offensive development could push him towards a more prominent role.

2. Brendan Brisson, C, Henderson Silver Knights (AHL)

Fresh off a standout sophomore year at Michigan, Brendan Brisson got his first taste of pro hockey with the Knights. The 2020 first rounder impressed in limited action, notching eight points in 15 games. While the sample size is small, it showcased the offensive tools that made him a high draft pick – a lethal shot and a knack for finding teammates in scoring areas. Questions remain about his physicality and defensive awareness. At 6’, 183 lbs, he'll need to add some muscle to compete consistently in the NHL. However, his hockey IQ and ability to adapt are encouraging signs. Whether Brisson starts next season in the AHL or cracks the roster will depend on his training camp performance. Regardless, his strong showing this year suggests he's on the right track to becoming a key contributor.

3. Matyas Sapovaliv, C, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

Matyas Sapovaliv continued his ascent in the OHL with the Saginaw Spirit this season. The Knights' second round pick (2022) led the team in scoring (62 points in 54 games) while showcasing his well-rounded skillset. His offensive prowess is undeniable. His hockey IQ shines below the circles, where he excels at creating scoring chances for himself and his linemates. He's not just a facilitator though, possessing a strong shot and the ability to finish in tight spaces. However, there is some worry regarding his consistency. There are stretches where he dominates, but there are also lulls in his production. Despite these questions, his overall performance is a positive sign for his future. He's on track for a potential pro debut next season, likely back in the AHL. If he can refine his consistency and continue to dominate offensively, Sapovaliv could push for a quicker NHL promotion.

4. Mathieu Cataford, C, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)

Mathieu Cataford is a slick and skilled forward with a high ceiling. He boasts elite speed and agility, allowing him to dance around defenders and create scoring chances in the blink of an eye. His vision and anticipation are exceptional, consistently identifying soft spots in coverage and delivering precision passes to exploit them. His quick release and accuracy make him a threat from anywhere on the ice. Offensively aware, he possesses strong instincts when it comes to positioning in the offensive zone and an ability to find the open ice. Always working hard to create space and get open, he’s shown himself to be an extraordinarily complementary player and dependable forechecker. While he needs to add strength and physicality to his game, Cataford's upside as a top-six forward and key contributor on the Golden Knights' power play is undeniable. With continued development, he could become a dynamic and electrifying player in the NHL.

5. Grigori Denisenko, LW, Henderson Silver Knights (AHL)

Grigori Denisenko's 2023-24 campaign was a tale of two leagues – a cup of coffee in the NHL and dominance in the AHL. While he had a brief, scoreless stint with the Golden Knights (six games), He found his groove with the Henderson Silver Knights. He led the team in assists (36) and points (56) in 65 games, even earning a call-up to the AHL All-Star Classic. His offensive production is undeniable, with a blend of slick playmaking and a knack for finding the net (20 goals). However, questions remain about his NHL readiness. His defensive awareness needs refinement, and his impact at the highest level remains unproven. The future seems bright, however. Another year in the AHL could solidify his defensive game, while flashes of brilliance hint at NHL potential. The Golden Knights will be watching closely to see if Denisenko can translate his minor-league dominance into success on the big stage.

6. Kaedan Korczak, D, Henderson Silver Knights (AHL)

Kaedan Korczak is a rugged and intelligent defenseman with a well-rounded game. He excels in his own end, using his quick feet and active stick to shut down opponents' attacks and clear the zone with ease. His vision and anticipation allow him to make smart passes and spark transition play, while his physicality and competitiveness make him a difficult opponent to face in puck battles. He does a good job under forecheck pressure by being sturdy on his feet and keeping his head up to scan the play in front of him and assess his options. The challenge is figuring out whether he can be effective enough in the NHL in that kind of role. With continued development, there is the potential to become a top-four defenseman and a key contributor on the Golden Knights' blue line. He shows intriguing upside and projects as a reliable, two-way defender.

7. Jakub Brabenec, C, Henderson Silver Knights (AHL)

Jakub Brabenec is a slick and savvy playmaker with a knack for elevating his teammates' games. He boasts exceptional vision and anticipation, consistently identifying soft spots in coverage and delivering precision passes to exploit them. He is a lanky, smooth, multifaceted forward who can play wing or center, and slot up or down a lineup. He displays an impressive proficiency for transporting the puck across zones, keeping it out in front of him in stride, while also using his frame and reach to fend off backcheckers. His agility and quick feet allow him to navigate through traffic, while his soft hands and accuracy make him a threat from the slot. He's also a reliable defender, using his active stick and positioning to disrupt opponents' cycles. With continued refinement, Brabenec has the potential to become a top-six forward and a key contributor to the Golden Knights' power play as a playmaking center with a scoring touch.

8. Ben Hemmerling, RW, Everett Silvertips (WHL)

Ben Hemmerling is a skilled and tenacious winger with a relentless motor. He excels in tight spaces, using his quick hands and agility to create scoring chances in the phone booth areas. His hockey IQ is high, consistently identifying soft spots in coverage and exploiting them with precision passing or well-placed shots. When he gets the puck, his vision makes him a strong playmaker too. He works well from below the goal line and from the half wall, drawing in to help defenders before finding a streaking teammate. His speed and acceleration allow him to pressure defenders, forcing turnovers and generating offense. While he may not be the biggest player, his compete level and smarts make him a pesky opponent, and his upside as a top-six forward is considerable. With continued refinement, he could become a valuable asset.

9. Arttu Karki, D, Soo Greyhounds (OHL)

Fresh off a third-round selection by Vegas in the 2023 draft, Arttu Karki embarked on his first season in North America with the Soo Greyhounds of the OHL. The Finnish defenseman showcased his offensive potential, flashing a strong shot and impressive playmaking ability (21 goals, 44 assists in 59 games). However, his defensive consistency was a source of debate. He displayed flashes of strong positioning and physicality, but lapses in focus led to some struggles. This inconsistency is a familiar refrain for Karki. While his offensive upside is undeniable, his ability to translate his skills to the pro game remains a question mark. The Greyhounds leaned on him offensively, but a stronger showing in his own zone is crucial for his future success. The upcoming season will be pivotal. Can he tighten up his defensive game and solidify his status as a potential NHL contributor?

10. Cameron Whitehead, G, Northeastern University (NCAA)

Cameron Whitehead, the 6’ 3” goaltender, is a promising prospect with a technically sound game and a large frame. His athleticism and quick reflexes allow him to move swiftly from post to post. He had a solid season with the Lincoln Stars and has taken over the net for Northeastern. His vision keeps him engaged on every puck, and he’s shown the ability to scramble and get creative in broken-play situations. However, he needs to improve his rebound control and puck handling. A long-term project, he will need to use his size more effectively to succeed at the next level. Once a goaltending coach gets him to settle down and trust his size more, his consistency should improve. This is also true of his rebound control. Whitehead is a prospect to watch as he continues to develop his game.

PROSPECT CRITERIA: Players under 26 years of age as of 9/15/2024 who have appeared in less than 60 games (30 for goalies) and less than 25 in one season (25 for goalies).

MCKEEN’S 2023-24 NHL YEARBOOK – VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS – Top 20 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #25

Brock Otten, Derek Neumeier, Chapin Landvogt and Josh Bell — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 14:42:08 +0000

Top 20 Vegas Golden Knights Prospects

1. Lukas Cormier

Cormier torched the QMJHL throughout his four years with Charlottetown, and has since transitioned admirably to the AHL, including quarterbacking Henderson's top power-play unit as a rookie. His understanding of how to generate offense from the offensive blueline is exceptional, spotting opportunities as they open up through the flow of play or activating his feet to create them himself. He loves to buzz around with or without the puck, and after enough constant prodding he usually finds a weak spot. He has a knack for elevating his play at important times. Cormier's small stature is always going to be a limitation to varying degrees, and breaking up rushes or cycles going against his net will never be one of his strengths, but he's so effective offensively that coaches will shelter him if they have to, just keep his niche contributions on the roster.

2. Pavel Dorofyev

Some prospects leave their mark when they get called up to the NHL from the AHL, while others struggle to make the most of those opportunities. Dorofeyev undeniably falls into the former category. Vegas needed someone to provide a scoring spark towards the end of their regular season, and he rose to the occasion with aplomb. He has a natural knack for reading the play in the offensive zone, and when he's not anticipating scoring opportunities, he creates them himself reasonably well, both through his skating and his puck protection. He's more of a shooter than a playmaker, but he can keep opposing defenses and goalies on their toes either way. Further gains can still be made physically. Dorofeyev eventually developing into a top-line winger isn't out of the question, but it seems more likely that he will eventually settle into a comfortable middle six spot.

3. Brendan Brisson

Brisson had access to two of the best developmental programs in all of amateur hockey, first with the Chicago Steel and then the University of Michigan, so it's easy to understand why his game advanced so much over the past few seasons. That also begs the question though, whether he might have rushed things a bit by turning pro after only two collegiate seasons, as his skating, strength, and conditioning all still need to improve. He is an exceptional student of the game, and when you combine that with his elite ability to manipulate and move the puck you get a potential offensive focal point. His best work, unsurprisingly, comes on the power play. Brisson is the only first-rounder in the organization's history (prior to the 2023 draft) who hasn't been traded yet, so the need for him to pan out is high.

4. David Edstrom

Edstrom’s transformation from relative depth player and secondary offensive option to primary offensive weapon and first line center within the Swedish U18 program, all within the 2022-23 hocke calendar, was impressive and led to his first round selection by Vegas. With a strong athletic profile and a drastically improving game, Edstrom was one of our favourites heading into the draft. His skill, creativity, and overall playmaking ability improved drastically over the course of the season, which shifted the perception of his overall ceiling. At worst, with his size, improving skating ability, improving physical play, and effectiveness as a defensive forward, he could become a very good shutdown center at the NHL level even if his offensive development stagnates. On the other side of the coin, Edstrom could continue to progress and become much more than that. He has both a high ceiling and a high floor. He should continue to build up confidence playing in the SHL with Frolunda and will probably only need another year or two overseas before he is ready for AHL duty.

5. Daniil Miromanov

To say that Miromanov's career thus far has been a whirlwind would be an understatement. Not only did he bounce around North America and Eastern Europe chaotically for a number of years, but he was also originally a winger and only recently switched fulltime to defence. Despite some expected growing pains, the returns to date have been very impressive overall, and you can tell that he's still just scratching the surface of how good he can become once he fully adjusts to his new position. His heavy shot is a serious weapon, especially with the offensive instincts that carried over from his time as a forward, and he uses his strength and reach well to win defensive battles. Miromanov has an abundance of remaining unmined upside, and it's exciting to think of how good the final product could be after a few more years of stable, focused growth within the same organization.

6. Mathieu Cataford

An allrounder with exciting offensive possibilities, Cataford can rightfully be considered one of the most enticing 3rd round draft picks from the 2023 draft. After kicking off his season with Team Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, picking up one assist in his five games en route to a gold medal, he ended up taking on a huge role for his QMJHL club, the Halifax Mooseheads, scoring at over a PPG pace in the regular season, only to add another 13 points in 21 postseason games. Offensively aware, Cataford possesses strong instincts when it comes to positioning in the offensive zone and an ability to find the open ice. Always working hard to create space and get open, he’s shown himself to be an extraordinary complimentary player and dependable forechecker. Physicality, a strong, hard shot, and well-roundedness without the puck fill out a solid player package. Without that one outstanding trait and featuring generally average size, Cataford’s trek to the NHL will be one of hard work, which has never been a problem for him, and a need to overcome the inconsistency that was seen throughout his draft year. Continued development is key.

7. Kaeden Korczak

Korczak's game is about as simple and straightforward as it gets, and while it's not necessarily a bad thing to be a specialist, success is dependent on how good a player is at that special niche. A defensive defenseman who plays with sandpaper and makes a competent first pass out of his zone, he does a good job under forechecking pressure by being sturdy on his feet and keeping his head up to scan the play in front of him and assess his options. The challenge is figuring out whether he can be effective enough in the NHL in that kind of role. None of his physicality, reach, or mobility are especially high-end, which makes it questionable how well he will be able to shut down the biggest, strongest, and fastest players in the sport. A ceiling higher than a third-pair defender seems unlikely.

8. Matyas Sapovaliv

Sapovaliv is highly effective even though he's not particularly exciting to watch. He's strong as an ox and a sharp, methodical thinker, and it's almost funny watching him play because you can see opponents recognize his intentions but still fail miserably at trying to stop him. There is a near inevitability to how he drives pucks to the net in the offensive zone, slowly but powerfully. While he's good across all 200 feet of ice, he is most effective defensively, utilizing his best attributes to be a masterful defensive pivot and penalty killer. He can hold his own in matchups against the top opposing centers in his age group, even the ones who hold a significant skating advantage, and he should continue being able to handle that usage as he moves up levels.

9. Jiri Patera

Patera is the type of goaltender that teams draft because they like his tools, even if they know that it's going to take him a while to learn how to use them all in a cohesive way. The good parts of his game, which have always been there, include his quickness, flexibility, and bravado. The bad parts of his game are his leaky form, excessive crease movement, and frustrating inconsistency. But just like the Golden Knights hoped, those issues have been largely smoothed over and he is now on the cusp of the NHL. He even won his first two starts in the league. Vegas likely prefers that Patera cook for at least one more season in the AHL, but if they decide to promote a goalie from within their system any time soon, he is the obvious candidate.

10. Jakub Brabenec

Brabanec is one of the most underrated prospects out there. He is a lanky, smooth, multifaceted forward who can play both wing and at center, slot up or down a lineup, and fill a role on the power play as well as the penalty kill. He displays an impressive proficiency for transporting the puck across zones, keeping it out in front of him in stride while also using his frame and reach to fend off backcheckers. While he hasn't produced a ton of points anywhere, all he needs to do to be a contributor at the NHL level is to keep leaning on his tools to routinely drive pucks to the net with momentum. He projects better as a specialized support player than a true focal point.

11. Jonas Rondbjerg

The big Danish winger has been solid thus far as a pro but has yet to solidify a roster spot with the Golden Knights. If he can improve the consistency of his physical game, he could become a permanent fourth line option for Vegas this year.

12. Carl Lindbom

2022-23 was a breakout year for Lindbom as he was named the Allsvenskan’s (Sweden’s second division) goaltender of the year as a 20-year-old. This year he is moving to the SHL with Farjestad, where he will look to continue his positive development.

13. Daniil Chayka

A former high pick of the Golden Knights, Chayka’s development since being drafted appears to have stalled. His first pro year with Henderson was proof of that. Does Chayka skate well enough or think the game well enough to be an NHL defender?

14. Arttu Karki

A recent draft pick, Karki is an exciting offensive defender with significant upside. His play in the defensive end will need to improve, but he can be a difference maker as a transitional leader. Look for him to suit up for OHL Sault Ste. Marie this season.

15. Ivan Morozov

Vegas isn’t closing the book on Morozov yet. After a disappointing first year in the AHL, he’s headed back to the KHL this season to help develop his offensive tools. What the future holds remains a mystery, but it’s too early to give up on the big center.

16. Jordan Gustafson

Injury issues forced Gustafson down the lineup for a tremendous Seattle team in his post draft year. He should take on a much larger role this year, but the focus will be on improving his skating to help increase his consistency.

17. Isaiah Saville

Saville has a good chance of playing in the AHL full time this year after splitting last season between the AHL and ECHL in his first pro season. The former UNO product isn’t the biggest netminder, but his quickness gives him an edge in the crease.

18. Jackson Hallum

A highly skilled offensive player, Hallum is also tenacious and aggressive in looking to drive to the middle. Despite playing more of a depth role for Michigan as a freshman, his production was still solid. He will be an interesting player to track over his NCAA career with a strong program.

19. Cameron Whitehead

Whitehead has big shoes to fill at Northeastern this season as he sets his sights on replacing Devon Levi as the team’s starter. Whitehead is a solid play tracker who squares to shooters well. His play with USHL Lincoln last year was probably better than the stats indicate.

20. Christoffer Sedoff

One of the top undrafted free agents coming out of the WHL last year, Sedoff was signed by Vegas over the summer. A mobile puck mover, his offensive upside for the pro level is solid. The question is, can Sedoff defend well enough to be an NHL player? He’s likely a long-term project at the pro level.

MCKEEN’S 2023 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #25 Vegas Golden Knights

Derek Neumeier — Sat, 13 May 2023 15:19:22 +0000

Prospect System Ranking – 25^th (18^th last year)

What a remarkable record of success for a franchise that is only entering its seventh season. Last season, they set a team record for regular season points with 111 (tied for fourth). They have been to the Stanley Cup Final, Conference Finals and the Semi-Finals, while only missing the playoffs once. The consistent competitiveness has consistently led to trading, if not picks, then promising prospects for key pieces. They have picked three first round picks in the last five years, two of which they have traded. Zach Dean last year to St. Louis for Ivan Barbashev and Peyton Krebs to Buffalo for Jack Eichel (trade included Alex Tuch, a 2022 first, 2023 second – quite a package). Now, a largely veteran team now, GM Kelly McCrimmon (since 2019) will continue to leverage the future for a shot at a Stanley Cup.

The system does have three prospects that rank within the top 80 of McKeen’s overall list, Brendan Brisson (only first not to be traded) at #66, third rounders, Lukas Cormier at #68 and Pavel Dorofeyev at #80. Dorofeyev was called up at the end of the season and showed he belonged at that level, providing a spark. He may have won a spot in the line-up next season. Brisson and Cormier bring impressive offensive skills and can expect to be sheltered as they move into the line-up. They may likely end up as trading chips when the dust settles at the trade deadline next year. They still possess their first-round picks in 2023, 2024, and 2025 that will be further assets that can be leveraged.

Lukas Cormier

Brendan Brisson

Brisson had access to two of the best developmental programs in all of hockey, first with the Chicago Steel and then the University of Michigan, so it's easy to understand why his game advanced so much over the past few seasons. That also begs the question, though, whether he might have rushed things a bit by turning pro after just two seasons in college, because his skating, strength and conditioning still all need to make gains. He is an exceptional student of the game, and when you combine that with his elite ability to manipulate and move the puck you get a player who you want to be an offensive focal point. His best work, unsurprisingly, comes on the powerplay. Brisson is the only 1st-rounder in the organization's history who hasn't been traded yet, so the need for him to pan out is high.

2. Lukas Cormier

Cormier torched the QMJHL throughout his four years with Charlottetown, and has transitioned admirably to the AHL, including quarterbacking Henderson's top powerplay unit as a rookie. His understanding of how to generate offense from the attack blueline is exceptional, spotting opportunities as they open up through the flow of play or activating his feet to create them himself. He loves to buzz around with or without the puck, and after enough constant prodding he usually finds a weak spot. He has a knack for elevating his play at important times. Cormier's small stature is always going to be a limitation to varying degrees, and breaking up rushes or cycles going against his net will never be one of his strengths, but he's so effective offensively that coaches will shelter him if they have to just keep his niche contributions on their roster.

3. Pavel Dorofeyev

Some prospects leave their mark when they get called up to the NHL from the AHL, while others struggle to make the most of those opportunities. Dorofeyev undeniably falls into the former category. Vegas needed someone to provide a scoring spark in the back section of their regular season, and he rose to the occasion with aplomb. He has a natural knack for reading the play in the offensive zone, and when he's not anticipating scoring opportunities, he creates them himself reasonably well, both through his skating and his puck protection. He's more of a shooter than a playmaker, but he can keep opposing defenses and goalies on their toes both ways. Further gains can still be made physically. Him eventually developing into a top-line winger isn't out of the question, but it seems more likely that he will eventually settle into a comfortable middle six spot.

4. Daniil Miromanov

To say that Miromanov's career thus far has been a whirlwind would be an understatement. Not only did he bounce around North America and Eastern Europe chaotically for a number of years, but he was also previously a winger and only recently switched to defense. Despite some expected growing pains, the returns to date have been very impressive overall, and you can tell that he's still just scratching the surface of how good he can become once he is fully adjusted to his new position. His heavy shot is a serious weapon, especially with his carried over offensive instincts from being a forward, and he uses his strength and reach well to win battles defensively. Miromanov has an abundance of remaining unmined upside, and it's exciting to think of how good the final product could be after a few more years of stable, focused growth within the same organization.

5. Kaedan Korczak

Korczak's game is about as simple and straightforward as it gets, and while it's not necessarily a bad thing to be a specialist, success is dependent on how good a player is at that specialization. He is a defensive defenseman who plays with some sandpaper and makes a competent first pass out of his zone. He does a good job under forecheck pressure by being sturdy on his feet and keeping his head up to scan the play in front of him and assess his options. The challenge is figuring out whether he can be effective enough in the NHL in that kind of role. None of his physicality, reach and mobility are especially high-end, which makes it questionable how well he will be able to shut down the biggest, strongest and fastest players in the sport. A ceiling higher than a 3rd-pair defender seems unlikely.

6. Matyas Sapovaliv

Sapovaliv is one of those players who is highly effective even though he's not particularly exciting to watch. He's strong as an ox and a sharp, methodical thinker, and it's almost funny watching him play because you can see opponents recognize his intentions but still fail miserably at trying to stop him. There is an almost inevitability to how he drives pucks to the net in the offensive zone, slowly but powerfully. While he's good across all 200 feet of ice he is most effective defensively, utilizing his best attributes to be a masterful defensive pivot and penalty killer. He can hold his own in matchups against the top opposing centers in his age group, even the ones who hold a significant skating advantage over him, and he should continue being able to handle that usage as he moves up levels in the future.

7. Jiri Patera

Patera is the type of goaltender that teams draft because they like the tools he has, even if they know the entire time that it's going to take him a while to learn how to use them all in a collaborative way. The good parts of his game, which have ways been there, are his quickness, flexibility and bravado. The bad parts of his game were his leaky form, excessive crease movement, and frustrating inconsistency. But just like the Golden Knights hoped, those creases have been largely smoothed over and he is now on the cusp of the NHL. He even won his first two starts in the league. Vegas likely prefers that Patera cook for at least one more season in the AHL, but if they decide to promote a goalie from within their system any time soon, he is the obvious candidate.

8. Carl Lindbom

Lindbom is an incredibly easy goalie to root for. He always plays with his heart on his sleeve, he elevates his play in big games and under bright spotlights, and it's exciting to watch smaller netminders try to buck the increasingly hulking trend going on with the position. The way he can routinely take away different parts of the net at the last possible second is frustrating for opposing shooters but a lot of fun for fans. He's been successful in junior, at the Swedish pro level and in multiple international tournaments, which is a good sign that he will be able to further outplay the expectations of doubters and naysayers elsewhere in the future. He'll be in a good developmental situation if he stays in Europe for a couple more seasons, and Vegas shouldn't reach a point where they will feel the need to rush him along.

9. Daniil Chayka

The pandemic hurt some players more than others, and Chayka falls into that category. He looked fantastic at times in Guelph before the world changed, and while his decision to return home to Russia to guarantee games played made perfect sense, he hasn't been quite the same prospect ever since. His mix of positive attributes is still very appealing, as there is so much value in the NHL for rangy, mobile defensemen who can also carry the puck. On the flip side of the coin, however, his strengths can also be a double-edged sword, as he too frequently and easily glides out of position in his own zone or picks poor times and places to try going solo with the puck up ice and turns it over. Vegas will need to be a little extra hands-on with Chayka if they hope to get the best possible results out of him.

10. Jakub Brabenec

Brabanec is one of the most underrated prospects out there, though that could progressively change the further Sherbrooke advances in the CHL playoffs. He is a lanky, smooth, multifaceted forward who can play wing or center, slot up or down a lineup, and fill a role on the powerplay or the penalty kill. Displays an impressive proficiency for transporting the puck across zones, keeping it out in front of him in stride while also using his frame and reach to fend off backcheckers. While he hasn't produced a ton of points anywhere, he's played thus far all he needs to do to be a contributor at the NHL level is keep leaning on his tools to be someone who routinely drives pucks to the net with momentum. Projects better as a specialized support player than a true focal point, and there is nothing wrong with that.

2023 IIHF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP – TEAM PREVIEW – CZECHIA

Matej Deraj — Sat, 24 Dec 2022 17:33:39 +0000

EDMONTON, ALBERTA - AUGUST 14: Czechia's David Jiricek #5 passes the puck during Preliminary Round - Group A action against Latvia at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship at Rogers Place on August 14, 2022 in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/HHOF-IIHF Images)

TEAM CZECHIA GROUP A

Czechia is bringing an experienced roster to Canada. Many players have at least one World Juniors appearance under their belt, which can certainly help the Czech team. They had a great summer tournament; beating USA 4-2 in the quarterfinals, which earned them a chance to medal. Despite losing both semifinals (5-2 vs. Canada) and the bronze medal game (3-1 vs. Sweden), the young Czech team was one of the most positive surprises of the tournament. With many returning players on the team (the most in the tournament), they want to build on the recent success and fight for a medal.

The two biggest names on the Czech team are first round picks from the last NHL Draft. David Jiříček (#6) was selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets. He´s playing in the AHL with the Blue Jackets´ affiliate the Cleveland Monsters and he´s been heavily praised for his mature game. He even managed to earn his NHL debut. The other expected star player is center Jiří Kulich, who´s part of the Buffalo Sabres´ prospect system. Kulich is also playing in the AHL. Both players have previous professional experience from the Czech top league and they´ll certainly play a big role.

Forward Eduard Šalé is the youngest player on the team, being the only one born in 2005. He´s the most notable Czech prospect for the upcoming draft; it´ll be interesting to watch how big of a role he´ll earn on an older team. He hasn´t thrived in the Czech league recently, but the World Juniors could be a nice opportunity to turn things around.

The Czech are bringing a strong defensive core this year. Apart from Jiříček, they can rely on Stanislav Svozil, Jiří Ticháček, David Špaček or Tomáš Hamara. They have a lot of international experience and will make sure scoring on the Czech goalie won´t be an easy job. The offensive power seems a bit limited, but two Golden Knights´ prospects Jakub Brabenec and Matyáš Šapovaliv should help with scoring goals. Indubitably, Czechia will be a tough opponent even for the strongest teams on the tournament.

10 TO WATCH

DAVID JIŘÍČEK, D

YEAR TEAM GP G A PTS PIM

2021-22 HC Plzeň (Cze) 29 5 6 11 49

2022-23 Cleveland (AHL) 15 4 9 13 8

Jiříček has been producing well in the AHL, he´s almost a PPG player (13 points in 15 games), which is a fantastic start for a 19-year-old European prospect. Jiříček is a big-bodied (6´3”) punishing defenseman, who plays an aggressive style and loves to throw a big hit. He´s offensively gifted and has a great shot, making him a threat even in the offensive zone. His play in his own zone might be a bit shaky, but his overall potential is high. Jiříček will be the key player for Czechia and an absolute leader. He started last year´s winter tournament really well, but he got injured in an initial game causing him to miss a couple of months. However, he did return for the summer tournament, helping the Czechs earn a fourth place finish. It will be a bit of a revenge tournament for Jiříček, who wants to succeed at his last World Juniors.

JIŘÍ KULICH, C

YEAR TEAM GP G A PTS PIM

2021-22 Karlovy Vary (Cze) 49 9 5 14 4

2022-23 Rochester (AHL) 22 5 9 14 2

Kulich is a smart two-way center who has adjusted to the North American ice in a great way. He´s played well with the Rochester Americans, scoring a respectable number of points (14) in 22 games. Kulich possesses a strong shot and he´s able to find an ideal spot to receive a pass from teammates. He is definitely a dangerous powerplay option, but he also has great speed, can escape opponents even in tight spaces. He also plays an intelligent game. The Sabres´ first round pick (#28) had an excellent WJC-18 tournament last year, scoring nine goals in six matches and earning an MVP title. He also played really well at the summer World Juniors, scoring over a PPG rate (2+6 in 7 games).

FRISCO, TX USA - MAY 1: The Czech Republic's Stanislav Svozil #14 skates with the puck while Russia's Prokhor Poltapov #13 chases him down during preliminary round action at the 2021 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship at Comerica Center on May 1, 2021 in Frisco, TX USA. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/HHOF-IIHF Images)

STANISLAV SVOZIL, D

YEAR TEAM GP G A PTS PIM

2021-22 Regina (WHL) 59 10 31 41 23

2022-23 Regina (WHL) 28 5 32 37 16

Playing with Connor Bedard definitely helps your points total, but it´s not just about the future superstar when it comes to Stanislav Svozil´s production. The Czech defenseman is having a great year in the WHL; he averages over a one assist a game (32 helpers in 28 matches). Svozil is a second round pick from the 2021 draft and another Blue Jackets prospect. It´d be nice to see him on the same pairing as David Jiříček, two potential future Columbus defensemen. Svozil is one of the most experienced players on the Czech roster, he´s going to play at his third World Juniors. He´s a mobile two-way defenseman who likes to join the attack, but doesn´t lack defensive awareness. He plays a physical game, but doesn´t go over the edge.

JAKUB BRABENEC, C/LW

YEAR TEAM GP G A PTS PIM

2021-22 Charlottetown (QMJHL) 58 17 47 64 8

2022-23 Charlottetown (QMJHL) 28 8 17 25 16

Brabenec singed an entry-level contract with the Vegas Golden Knights two weeks before the tournament, so he´s coming to the World Juniors with a fresh motivation. He´s the leading scorer of the Charlottetown Islanders with slightly under a PPG average (25 points in 28 games). Brabenec is an intelligent player and a gifted playmaker, he likes to find an open teammate and plays a passing-first game. He managed to get 47 helpers in 58 QMJHL games last year too. Brabenec sees the ice well and his vision helps him to make his teammates better. His game is mainly about offence; he should be one of the main scoring threats on the Czech team.

MATYÁŠ ŠAPOVALIV, C

YEAR TEAM GP G A PTS PIM

2021-22 Saginaw (OHL) 68 18 34 52 26

2022-23 Saginaw (OHL) 30 11 19 30 18

Šapovaliv is another great playmaker drafted by the Golden Knights. He was a second round pick in the last draft, the 48^th pick overall. Šapovaliv is playing in his second season in the OHL with the Saginaw Spirit. He´s currently a PPG player. The Czech center has a great size (6´3”) that allows him to protect the puck well and win board battles. He´s creative and can surprise defenders with his skill. His weakness is his skating, which is somehow understandable for such a big junior player. He usually doesn´t play the game in a high speed, rather slows it down, but his skating also seems to have improved a bit.

EDUARD ŠALÉ, RW

YEAR TEAM GP G A PTS PIM

2021-22 Brno (Cze Jr.) 39 42 47 89 56

2022-23 Brno (Cze) 26 3 3 6 0

After a great start to the season, Šalé has been struggling in the Czech top tier league. He hasn´t earned a single point in two months and his time on ice has started to drop as well. The World Juniors could be a refreshing change for the most talented Czech for the upcoming draft. Šalé has been a top 10 candidate since the beginning of the season, but his scoring drought certainly doesn't help his case. Šalé is a quick and skilled forward who is always a scoring threat. He likes to create chances for himself and drives to the net very often, making him a solid prospect with a translatable skill set. His usage on the Czech team is still not certain, but it´s quite likely he´ll earn a top-six, even a top line role.

JIŘÍ TICHÁČEK, D

YEAR TEAM GP G A PTS PIM

2021-22 Kladno (Cze) 41 2 6 8 14

2022-23 Kladno (Cze) 27 0 3 3 10

Ticháček was considered an interesting prospect in his draft year, but as an undersized defenseman (5´9”), he was in an extremely tough position. He´d never been drafted and likely won´t ever be. Ticháček is a very mobile, quick and offensively gifted defenseman who likes to distribute the puck. He has a high hockey IQ, good passing game and is also a solid powerplay option. His main weakness is obviously his size and lack of physicality. Moreover, his 2022-23 season hasn´t been great in terms of points – he has only managed to collect three assists in 27 Czech top tier league games while being -17 in plus/minus, but his whole team has been struggling. The World Juniors will bring a welcoming change of atmosphere.

TOMÁŠ SUCHÁNEK, G

YEAR TEAM GP W L GAA SV%

2021-22 Tri-City (WHL) 42 12 24 3.87 0.901

2022-23 Tri-City (WHL) 23 13 9 3.61 0.901

Suchánek earned a starter role at the last tournament and now he is expected to continue at the same position. He had a great game against Canada in the group stage, he managed to get 52 saves against the clear favorite in a 5-1 loss. Suchánek helped his team to beat USA in the quarterfinals (4-2), but the Czechs lost the next two games and ended up being 4^th. Suchánek has the needed experience at the U20 level and he was one of the best players on Team Czechia the last time, so it´s no surprise he should be the #1 goalie this time as well. On a club level, he plays for the Tri-City Americans in his second year in the WHL.

DAVID ŠPAČEK, D

YEAR TEAM GP G A PTS PIM

2021-22 Sherbrooke (QMJHL) 57 12 38 50 44

2022-23 Sherbrooke (QMJHL) 29 6 20 26 18

Špaček was awarded as the best Czech defenseman at the summer World Juniors. Despite not scoring a lot of points (he only had one assist in seven games) for such an offensively minded D-man, he had the highest time on ice and played in most crucial situations for Czechia. Špaček was drafted by the Minnesota Wild as an overager after a successful season in the QMJHL. He is a smart offensive defenseman who likes to shoot the puck, goes deep into the offensive zone and joins the attack. He has a dangerous shot and enjoys to hold the puck on his stick. Špaček is a son of a former NHL defensive defenseman Jaroslav Špaček who seems to have taught him a thing or two; despite being offensively minded, David Špaček is also very solid at defending in his own zone and doesn´t lose one-on-one battles very often.

GABRIEL SZTURC, C

YEAR TEAM GP G A PTS PIM

2021-22 Kelowna (WHL) 67 16 25 41 6

2022-23 Kelowna (WHL) 26 10 27 37 18

Szturc is a dangerous offensive forward who´s having a great year in the WHL; he´s almost matched his last season´s point total in spite of playing less than half games. He´s progressed in many areas of his game since the last year. He´s comfortable with the puck on his stick and also has a great shot. Szturc is a bit undersized (5´10”) and not overly physical, but he plays a smart two-way game. Although he wasn´t selected in the last NHL Draft by any team, he could hear his name this time if he continues to play the same way.

SURPRISE PLAYER

TOMÁŠ HAMARA, D

YEAR TEAM GP G A PTS PIM

2021-22 Tappara (Fin Jr.) 32 6 19 25 16

2022-23 Kitchener (OHL) 24 2 9 11 11

Hamara is one of the youngest players on the stacked Czech defence, but he could end up as one of their crucial defensemen. The Ottawa Senators´ third round pick (#87) from the last draft is a smart D-man who plays a two-way game. He protects the net and defends well in his own zone, but he also likes to join his team on the rush and displays great puckhandling skills. He was important for Czechia even at the last tournament in summer, but this could be the year Hamara takes a bigger step forward. He´s used to the North American ice from playing in the OHL and could earn a role on the Czech first two pairings.

MCKEEN’S 2022-23 NHL YEARBOOK – VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS – Top 20 Prospects

Sun, 18 Sep 2022 22:40:07 +0000

SAN JOSE, CA - FEBRUARY 20: Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Logan Thompson (36) skates during a timeout during the NHL game between the San Jose Sharks and the Vegas Golden Knights on February 20, 2022 at SAP Center in San Jose, CA. (Photo by Matt Cohen/Icon Sportswire)

1 - Brendan Brisson C

While some might recognize the Brisson name from Brendan Brisson’s father, NHL super-agent Pat Brisson, Brendan is a player of note in his own right. As another member of the Chicago Steel to Michigan Wolverines pipeline, a set of players that includes quite a few first-round picks, Brisson has for many years had the luxury of playing with top-of-the-line teammates. That might sound like a knock to some but having quality linemates has actually brought out the best in Brisson’s game. Brisson is a talented playmaker who is always reading the ice and looking to find the best way to cut through a defense. At times, Brisson can look like he’s treating his shift like a chess game, diligently considering all potential possibilities of things he can do with the puck before selecting an optimal move. At times, this really works for him. There are shifts where Brisson takes over the game, creates a few chances, and puts his teammates in positions to score in ways that defenses can hardly react to. But there are also shifts where this tendency to think through every problem he faces rather than simply react and rely on his instincts causes him to be ineffective, unable to find his way through a fast-moving, aggressive defense. If Brisson is playing with talented linemates who can get the most out of his patient, calculated offensive style, he can be an effective playmaker. He’ll likely be at his best on a power play, where he’ll have more time and space to orchestrate offensively. If he can round out the off-the-puck flaws in his game and perhaps get a bit quicker, he can be a driver of play in the NHL. The more likely outcome is Brisson finds the future as an offense-first player who sees significant time on the man advantage. - EH

2 - Pavel Dorofeyev LW

With most of his 20-21 season spent in Russia’s VHL (pro) and MHL (junior) leagues, Dorofeyev concluded the season playing for AHL Henderson and immediately opened some eyes with nine goals and 13 points in 24 games. The excitement was warranted as he spent the 21-22 season kicking down the door in the AHL, becoming Henderson’s top scorer with 27 goals and 52 points in 63 games. He also played twice for Vegas leading him to be one of the Golden Knights’ most NHL-ready prospects. One of the most impressive aspects of his development is the continued use of creative play while adjusting his game to not only withstand, but also initiate physical contact. His board work and drive through traffic have been in ascending all season long. A strong transition player, Dorofeyev can dictate the pace when given time and doesn’t need much of that to create new lines of attack and find openings in the defense. These improvements have allowed his puck skills and creativity to unfold to a greater degree. The Golden Knights have seen Dorofeyev as one of the internal assets whose progress has allowed them to pawn off higher rated prospect assets in recent deals. Cap concerns would indicate that Vegas is likely very serious about getting him into the offensive fray within the next two seasons and he should be one of the first call-ups this season should injuries occur. – CL

3 - Zach Dean C

Complete is the name of the game for Zach Dean. There are not many weaknesses to his game. His hands, his skating and the pace of his play are all very good attributes. He can play very aggressively and be very tough to play against defensively as well. His shot is no weak spot either, as he has a very quick and precise release and has no problem getting himself away from pressure, creating some space in order to shoot. His compete level is quite high, and he always has an insatiable hunger for the puck. That said, injuries continue to delay his progression. He struggled with injuries in his draft year, and he had similar issues last season. In fact, an injury also prevented him from participating at team Canada’s WJC camp this summer. Staying healthy is key for Dean, especially given the way that he needs to play to be effective. Vegas will be looking for Dean to take that next step as an offensive star for Gatineau this season. If he does, he should eventually become a quality middle six option for the Golden Knights. If injuries continue to be an issue, Vegas may become concerned that he is not durable enough to withstand the rigors of a pro career. - EB

4 - Lukas Cormier D

Lukas Cormier is an offensive-minded defenseman with his shot being his main attribute. Selected 68^th overall in the third round of the 2020 NHL Draft, Cormier’s game shines the most in the offensive zone, where he mans the blue-line with his booming shot that he uses as much as possible as a playmaking and a scoring tool. His scoring prowess was put on display this year with Team Canada at the WJC where he had a goal and five assists in only seven games on route to a gold medal. However, no one has ever doubted Cormier’s offensive abilities. His back-to-back QMJHL defenseman of the year trophies are impressive and are evidence to the fact that he is elite with the puck on his stick. But in the defensive end, there have always been concerns that Cormier is not big, strong, or engaged enough to be a true top four defender. No question, he has made strides as a defensive player, especially in the last calendar year. His physical engagement has been much more consistent, and he has figured out how to make himself a more difficult player to match up against. As he starts his pro career this year in the AHL, all eyes will be on Cormier to see if he can defend against bigger and quicker forwards. He might still be a bit of a project who will require patience, but his offensive capabilities are unique and do give him the projection of an NHL defender in some capacity. - EB

5 - Daniil Miromanov D

Probably about the oldest and most well-travelled of the prospects detailed in this yearbook. Despite three fairly productive seasons in the QMJHL as an overager, Miromanov was never drafted and made his way through pro leagues in Russia and the Czech Republic before a strong season in the ECHL brought him to the KHL. His breakthrough came with KHL Sochi in 20-21 when he put up 10 goals and 29 points, earning him a free agent shot with the Vegas organization. This past season, his first in the AHL, he amassed 40 points in just 53 games. It led to an 11-game tryout in the big leagues and his ability to remain even-keeled and display his experience has him looking like a true option for the team heading into next season. For the Henderson Silver Knights, Miromanov’s was among the team leaders in both scoring and +/-. With an imposing 6’4”, 203-pound frame, the 25-year-old Russian can appear stiff at times yet is ultimately more mobile than expected. Very clever with the puck on his stick, there is a bit of a magician in there trying to make the best of every situation and happy to sniff out creative plays, a chief reason he was also Henderson’s point man on the power play. Ultimately, he has very heavy wrist and slapshots, and is active in attempting to shut down lanes and put pressure on opposition attackers. What you see is what you get with Miromanov, and Vegas will soon be finding out if he can be more than just a number 8 or 9 blueline option in their system. – CL

6 - Logan Thompson G

Thompson went unselected through his years of NHL draft eligibility before signing as an free agent with the Vegas Golden Knights back in 2020. The GM that signed him in 2020, Kelly McCrimmon, happened to be the former owner of Thompson’s former WHL team, the Brandon Wheat Kings. McCrimmon was around when Thompson first began playing for the Wheat Kings back in 2014. Thompson has had a peculiar path from his junior hockey days to the NHL. He had served as the back-up for Brandon from 2015-17 before taking the reins for the 2017-18 season. As a starter for the Wheat Kings, he had a consistent .908 SV% over two seasons with a GAA over 3.00. After his last year with the Wheat Kings, Thompson found his way to Brock University where he dominated play, finishing with a 2.22 GAA, and .934 SV% in 24 games. He won goaltender and rookie of the year for the Canadian university and was signed to play in the ECHL. Over the next few seasons, Thompson had success in the ECHL, eventually landing a contract with Vegas in 2020. In his first season playing for Vegas’ AHL team, the Henderson Silver Knights, he posted a 1.96 GAA and a .943 SV% in 23 games. He was awarded the AHL’s best goaltender award, alongside being named to both the All-Rookie team and the AHL All-Star team. He also played in his first NHL game that season, recording a shutout. His success continued last season splitting time between the AHL and NHL. In the NHL, Thompson posted a 2.68 GAA and .914 SV% in 19 games. With Robin Lehner facing an injury that is expected to keep him out the entire 2022-23 season, Thompson is expected to carve out a large role for the Golden Knights this season. Time will tell if his unique success story continues. - ZS

7 - Kaedan Korczak D

Korczak was selected 41^st overall in the 2019 NHL draft by the Vegas Golden Knights. Standing at 6’4”, 192 pounds, he is a large defenceman who thrives in his own end. On top of his large frame, he is also a good skater for someone his size. He has the ability to transition the puck end-to-end with his combination of size and speed. He isn’t afraid of getting physical either, often punishing defenders who challenge him. Korczak showed a glimmer of offence with his time in the WHL, posting 33 points in 68 games in his draft year as well as 49 points in 60 games the year after. His offence has dried up since transitioning to the AHL, with the Henderson Silver Knights, with whom he has spent parts of the past two seasons. His first experience with the Silver Knights came during the pandemic 2020-21 season where he played 11 games for them before going back to the WHL. This past season Korczak spent almost the entirety of the year in the AHL, playing 47 games and producing 14 points on top of his solid defence. He was also able to make his NHL debut this year appearing in one game for Vegas. Korczak’s build and play scream future NHL third pair stay-at-home defenceman, expected to provide consistent play in the defensive end and allowing for more offensively gifted defenceman to shine. While it is expected for Korczak to spend the majority of the year in the AHL again, he is only a couple of injuries away from getting a larger opportunity at carving out an NHL role. - ZS

8 - Daniil Chayka D

The 38th overall selection in the 2021 NHL Draft, Daniil Chayka has had an interesting journey thus far and is coming off of a solid season. The former 7th overall selection in the 2018 OHL Draft had a good rookie season, finishing with 14 points (5G,9A) in 56 games. During the 2019-2020 season, Chayka took a step forward and finished with 34 points (11G,23A) in 56 games. During the 2020-2021 season while the OHL was shutdown due to Covid-19, Chayka made the decision to return back to Russia to get some ice time. In his time in Russia, he played in three different leagues, 11 games in the KHL, 10 in the VHL and 5 in the MHL. Chayka also got the opportunity to play in the U20 World Junior Championship. During the 2021-2022 season, Chayka returned to the OHL and had a great season, finishing with 39 points (7G,32A) in 53 games, which was 20th in the league for points by a defenseman, 8th on the team for points and 4th on the team in assists. Chayka’s best assets are his hockey sense and competitiveness. Chayka has a great understanding of how to best utilize his size, having a great reach to quickly take away space and make it difficult to get into the offensive zone and in the slot. His stick is consistently active, applying great pressure on opponents. He has a great motor and is rarely out of the battle, using good physicality. Going into the 2022-2023 season, Chayka will make the return to the OHL and be a leader on and off the ice for the Storm, being a strong defenseman on both sides of the puck. - DK

9 - Matyas Sapovaliv C

The 48th overall selection in the 2022 NHL Draft, Matyas Sapovaliv was one of the best imports in the OHL last season and was a huge asset to a Saginaw Spirit team that struggled and finished 2nd last in the league with the 2nd most goals against. In the 2020-2021 season, Sapovaliv spent his time split between the Czechia U20 league, Czechia tier 2 league and the U18 World Championship. Sapovaliv made his way to the OHL in the 2021-2022 season and was able to quickly adjust to the league and was heavily relied on by the Spirit, playing a lot of minutes and being utilized on both special teams. At the end of the season Sapovaliv finished with 52 points (18G,34A) in 68 games, which was 4th on the team in points and 4th in the league for points by a rookie. Sapovaliv also spent time that year playing in the U18 World Championship and also the U20 World Junior Championship. Sapovaliv’s best assets are his playmaking and hockey sense. He has the ability to see passing lanes before they open up and connect tape to tape passes with precision at high pace. He consistently makes smart decisions with and without the puck, playing a responsible game. He uses his size very well, utilizing his reach to apply pressure and make it difficult to play against. His responsible play and strong defensive game make him an asset on the penalty kill, using an active stick and physicality to breakup and shutdown chances in the defensive zone. Going into the 2022-2023 season, Sapovaliv will continue to be a top player on a much better Spirit team, giving him more opportunity to increase his point totals and help him gain more confidence. - DK

10 - Ivan Morozov C

After two good years in the KHL, Morozov inked his ELC with Vegas late last season (allowing him to play some games with Henderson in the AHL playoffs), which means that the power center will be starting this year in North America. Morozov is a strong two-way center who can put his head down and power his way to the net. He has good speed and is difficult to knock off stride once he builds a head of steam. His size, strength, and speed does make him a possible bottom six candidate, but is he skilled enough to be a top six contributor? Consistency has always been an enemy of Morozov at the KHL level and how he adjusts to playing in North America is anyone’s guess. His upside does remain a serious question mark. Does he have the hands and creativity to be a scoring line player in North America? Do his issues with consistency point to IQ and processing issues? Already with great depth, Morozov will most likely start in the AHL with Henderson. From there, it will depend on his play. If he plays well, he probably moves to Vegas quickly as one of the team’s first injury call-ups. - BO

11 - Jakub Brabenec

A skilled playmaking center, Brabanec was terrific for Charlottetown of the QMJHL in his first season in North America. He has great offensive awareness but needs to continue adding strength.

12 - Jonas Rondbjerg

The big Danish winger split last year between Vegas and the AHL, his best season as a pro yet. Armed with a new three-year deal, he figures to be a long-term fixture in the Golden Knights’ bottom six.

13 - Jordan Gustafson

A third-round selection in 2022, Gustafson is already a terrific two-way center because of how well he processes the game. Adding quickness and speed to his game is a must moving forward.

14 - Isaiah Saville

Saville’s three-year tenure at UNO was solid, but unspectacular. However, he was terrific in a brief stint at the AHL level to finish last season. A highly athletic netminder, Vegas will be looking for Saville to maintain that strong level of play over a full season with Henderson.

15 - Jackson Hallum

Hallum is an attacking forward who knows only one speed. His year in the USHL last season was terrific and he will try to be an immediate impact player on a deep Michigan Wolverines team this season.

16 - Peter Diliberatore

An intelligent two-way defender, Diliberatore was solid as a first year pro this season with Henderson, playing big minutes in the AHL. His NHL upside may be somewhat limited, but there’s a strong chance he plays in some capacity.

17 - Connor Corcoran

Injuries wiped out Corcoran’s first pro season, so Vegas was careful with him in his first full pro year, split between the ECHL and the AHL. He was solid at both spots. Corcoran has great scoring instincts for a defender but will need to prove he can defend at the pro level.

18 - Paul Cotter

The power forward has improved in each of his first three pro seasons and was rewarded with a brief callup to Vegas last season. He is in contention to play a bottom six role for the Golden Knights this year.

19 - Jiri Patera

A former free agent signing by the Golden Knights, Patera has been all over the place in recent seasons. He likely competes with Isaiah Saville for ice time at the AHL level this season behind veteran Michael Hutchinson.

20 - Jakub Demek

The big winger was solid for Edmonton of the WHL in his first North American season, helping the Oil Kings win a WHL title. He should be in line for an even bigger role this season.

2022 WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP: TEAM CZECHIA – Experienced Forwards, Young Defense look for 11th Consecutive Quarter Final Appearance

Derek O'Brien with notes from Vince Gibbons and Clare McManus — Sun, 26 Dec 2021 15:34:40 +0000

There doesn’t seem to be anything out of the ordinary about Czechia’s roster at this year’s World Junior Championship, and therefore results out of the ordinary shouldn’t be expected.

Of the 28 players named to the preliminary roster by head coach Karel Mlejnek and assistants David Bruk and Pavel Trnka, only eight are returning from last year’s squad that the same trio led to a familiar quarterfinal loss. While 10 have already been drafted by NHL teams, only four players have yet to be draft-eligible: late 2003-born defencemen David Jiricek, David Moravec and Matej Pinkas, and 2004-born forward Jiri Kulich.

The team was dealt a significant blow when goaltender Nick Malik, who has experience from two previous World Juniors, chose not to risk losing his starting job with KooKoo Kouvola in the top Finnish league. Malik is having a fantastic rookie professional season and was projected to be the Czechs’ starting goalie. His absence gives Jan Bednar a chance to step into the starter’s role, although Jakub Malek might challenge.

The Czech defense is quite young, taking advantage of a strong 2003-born defense core led by Jiricek and Stanislav Svozil, who both played for the team last year and held their own as 17-year-olds. A year older, they’ll be expected to lead this year. The only two 19-year-olds on the back end are Michal Hradek and Michael Krutil. At 6-3 and 203lbs, Krutil is the biggest of a skilled but not-so-big group, which includes the 5-9 puck-mover Jiri Tichacek.

The Czech group of forwards is more experienced, with 10 of 15 players named being 19 years old and six already drafted. As is often the case, this group has some high-end talent but is somewhat lacking on depth, with center Jan Mysak and right winger Pavel Novak the team’s two most dangerous offensive weapons. Expect to see them together on the team’s top line and power-play unit, as was the case last year. While Novak is speedy and somewhat undersized, the biggest Czech forwards are 18-year-old wingers Jaroslav Chmelar and Martin Rysavy.

So far this season, the Czech national junior team has played seven games in the summer, which included its players based in North America, and a three-game U20 tournament in Sweden in November, which included only European-based players.

The Czechs play their first tournament game against Canada on December 26.

In a group that contains Canada, Finland, Germany and Austria, the Czechs are solidly projected to finish third. Any thoughts about the Germans challenging them were put into serious doubt with the recent announcement that Tim Stutzle, J. J. Peterka and Lukas Reichel would not be playing. In any case, the Czechs have made it to the quarterfinals of this tournament the last 10 years in a row and, barring a major collapse, will do so again. Going beyond that is possible but will be very difficult for a country that has only one final-four appearance in the last 16 years.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Jan Bednar, G

With Malik declining the invitation to play, the starting job is Bednar’s to lose. As a 16-year-old, Bednar burst onto the scene, winning the Extraliga’s Rookie-of-the-Year award with Karlovy Vary. Positionally sound, mobile, 6-foot-4 and 196lbs, he was pegged as a future impact goaltender. However, Bednar’s 2019-20 campaign was a disappointment as he was stuck behind a weak team. Bednar was drafted in the fourth round by the Detroit Red Wings in 2020 and is now the starting goalie for the Acadie-Bathurst Titan in the QMJHL. Although the lustre has somewhat worn off him over the past couple of years, the World Juniors could be his chance to show everybody that he still has the potential to be an NHL starter.

Stanislav Svozil, D

At 18 years of age, this Columbus Blue Jackets’ prospect more than held his own in his first World Junior Championship last year. Lauded for his high hockey IQ, speed and solid two-way game, the Czechs will rely heavily upon the experienced d-man, who after two Extraliga seasons with Kometa Brno, now plays for the WHL’s Regina Pats. Whereas his offensive contributions have been minimal among older players, focusing his efforts more on the defensive side of things, Svozil will now be expected to play a big role in the transition game and quarterback the power play. While not particularly big for a defenseman at 6-1 and 185lbs, he is known for his speed, allowing him to contribute offensively without sacrificing anything on the back end.

EDMONTON, AB CANADA - DECEMBER 26: Czech Republic's David Jiricek #8 battles for puck possession against Sweden's Arvid Costmar #14 in preliminary round action at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship at Rogers Place on December 26, 2020 in Edmonton, AB Canada. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)

David Jiricek, D

Jiricek is the other young stud Czech defenseman, who looks to be a sure-fire first rounder in 2022 – and top-10 according to many sources – due to his late-2003 birthday. Jiricek was the Czech Extraliga’s Rookie-of-the-Year last season as he picked up three goals and 10 points in 36 regular-season and playoff games as a top-four defenceman with Skoda Plzen. So far this season, Jiricek, who turned 18 in late November, already has five goals and 11 points in 29 games. Already more offensively inclined than Svozil, the Czechs will definitely look to Jiricek to jump into the rush and contribute offensively. At 6’3” and 190lbs, Jiricek already has the height and with added weight over time could be a physically imposing figure added to his skill set.

Michael Krutil, D

Ishockey, Karjala Tournament, Tjeckien - Sverige: Jan Mysak #44, CZE during Icehockey Beijer Hockey Games match between Czech Republic - Sweden at the Hartwall Arena on 05. November 2020 in Helsinki, Finland. (Tomi Hänninen/Newspix24)
© Bildbyrån

Jan Mysak, C/LW

A second-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens in the 2021 NHL Draft, Mysak will be expected to carry the offensive load and be a veteran presence for the Czechs in his third World Junior Championship and his second as captain. After struggling as a pro last season split between hometown Litvinov and the AHL’s Laval Rocket, in which he garnered three points in 33 total games, he is now back in the OHL with the Hamilton Bulldogs, where he is once again scoring at better than a point per game. Internationally he has shown a scoring touch as well and has led the Czech national junior team with 10 points in seven games so far this season.

Jakub Brabenec, C

Brabenec is a playmaking center who sees the ice well and could be a mid- to late-round Draft pick this year. After seeing limited ice time as a 13^th forward in 23 Extraliga games and three second-division games last season, Brabenec now plays for the QMJHL’s Charlottetown Islanders, where he has 32 points in 28 games. Like many good centers, he’s strong defensively and he tends to look to pass rather than shoot, so he will need wingers to get open if he’s to help the team to his maximum potential.

Pavel Novak, RW

Pavel Novak from the Kelowna Rocket (24-13-18-31-8-8) is a smaller winger that has continued to impress. Building on an impressive draft season he again is leading his team is most every statistical category. He is first in goals, assists and points and drives so much of the offense. He will play a similar role for the Czech team at the World Juniors where opportunistic players will have to make the most of their chances to compete against the top teams in the tournament. Novak has a good combination of speed and skill where he can make plays in open ice, attacking off the rush and making defenders back off. He is a player who engages and competes hard which despite his size and allows him to win a surprising amount of puck battles. He is capable of creating offense out of very little with his great vision or improving finishing ability which make his him a key top six forward for the Czechs.

Michal Gut, C

Michal Gut from the Everett Silvertips (24-7-25-32-8-23) is a player that has grown substantially in the structured defense first style Everett is known for. His offensive game is predicated on his quick evaluation and decision making rather than his speed and skill but is a player that will contribute at both ends of the ice. This year he has taken a step in his game away from the puck and has shown a willingness in his own zone to do more than his part. His passing skills and ability to create should help him chip in offensively especially on a roster that will need timely scoring. He is a player that can contribute even if he isn’t scoring with his energy and ability to cycle the puck and wear down opponents.

Goaltenders (3):

Daniel Král (Benátky nad Jizerou), Jan Bednář (Acadie-Bathurst, QMJHL), Jakub Málek (Vsetín).

Defensemen (9):

Matěj Pinkas (Litoměřice), David Jiříček (Plzeň), Jakub Šedivý (Benátky nad Jizerou), David Moravec (Mladá Boleslav), Michal Hrádek (Pardubice), Jiří Ticháček (Kladno), Michael Krutil (Rockford, AHL), Stanislav Svozil (Regina, WHL), David Špaček (Sherbrooke, QMJHL).

Forwards (16):

Josef Koláček, Tomáš Urban (both Litoměřice), Jakub Konečný (Sparta Prague), Sebastián Malát (Plzeň), Tomáš Chlubna (České Budějovice), Vojtěch Jiruš (Benátky nad Jizerou), Jiří Kulich (Karlovy Vary), Stanislav Vrhel (Lahti, Finland), Jaroslav Chmelař (Jokerit Helsinki, Finland U20), Jakub Kos (Ilves Tampere, Finland), Michal Gut (Everett, WHL), Martin Ryšavý (Moose Jaw, WHL), Jan Myšák (Hamilton, OHL), Pavel Novák (Kelowna, WHL), Ivan Ivan (Cape Breton, QMJHL), Jakub Brabenec (Charlottetown, QMJHL).

Jakub Brabenec – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2026 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #26 Vegas Golden Knights – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Prospect System Ranking – 26th (Last Year - 30th)

GM: Kelly McCrimmon Hired: September 2019 COACH: John Tortorella Hired: March 2026

1. Trevor Connelly, LW, Henderson Silver Knights (AHL)

2. Jakob Ihs Wozniak, RW, IF Björklöven (Allsvenskan)

3. Carl Lindbom, G, Henderson Silver Knights (AHL)

4. Lukas Cormier, D, Henderson Silver Knights (AHL)

5. Tuomas Uronen, RW, Henderson Silver Knights (AHL)

6. Pavel Moysevich, G, St. Petersburg (VHL)

7. Lucas Van Vliet, LW, University of St. Thomas (NCAA)

8. Mateo Nobert, C, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)

9. Matyas Sapovaliv, C, Henderson Silver Knights (AHL)

10. Ben Hemmerling, RW, Henderson Silver Knights (AHL)

11. Mathieu Cataford, C, Henderson Silver Knights (AHL)

12. Jakub Brabanec, C, Henderson Silver Knights (AHL)

13. Villiam Kmec, D, Henderson Silver Knights (AHL)

14. Cameron Whitehead, G, Tahoe Knight Monsters (ECHL) (Currently with Henderson Silver Knights, AHL)

15. Alex Weiermair, C, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)

MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #30

Vegas Golden Knights Top-15 Prospects

1 - Trevor Connelly

2 - Carl Lindbom

3 - Jakob Ihs Wozniak

4 - Lukas Cormier

5 - Tuomas Uronen

6 - Mathieu Cataford

7 - Pavel Moysevich

8 - Braeden Bowman

9 - Cameron Whitehead

10 - Trent Swick

11 - Arttu Karki

12 - Abram Wiebe

13 - Mateo Nobert

14 - Jakub Brabenec

15 - Jakub Demek

2025 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS – Top 15 NHL Affiliated Prospects

MCKEEN’S 2024-25 NHL YEARBOOK – VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #27

Vegas Golden Knights Top-15 Prospects

1. Trevor Connelly

2. Lukas Cormier

3. Brendan Brisson

4. Matyas Sapovaliv

5. Kaedan Korczak

6. Pavel Moysevich

7. Mathieu Cataford

8. Jakub Brabenec

9. Ben Hemmerling

10. Arttu Karki

11. Cameron Whitehead

12. Jackson Hallum

13. Jakub Demek

14. Carl Lindbom

15. Daniil Chayka

MCKEEN’S 2024 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #28 Vegas Golden Knights – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

1. Lukas Cormier, D, Henderson Silver Knights (AHL)

2. Brendan Brisson, C, Henderson Silver Knights (AHL)

3. Matyas Sapovaliv, C, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

4. Mathieu Cataford, C, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)

5. Grigori Denisenko, LW, Henderson Silver Knights (AHL)

6. Kaedan Korczak, D, Henderson Silver Knights (AHL)

7. Jakub Brabenec, C, Henderson Silver Knights (AHL)

8. Ben Hemmerling, RW, Everett Silvertips (WHL)

9. Arttu Karki, D, Soo Greyhounds (OHL)

10. Cameron Whitehead, G, Northeastern University (NCAA)

MCKEEN’S 2023-24 NHL YEARBOOK – VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS – Top 20 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #25

Top 20 Vegas Golden Knights Prospects

1. Lukas Cormier

2. Pavel Dorofyev

3. Brendan Brisson

4. David Edstrom

5. Daniil Miromanov

6. Mathieu Cataford

7. Kaeden Korczak

8. Matyas Sapovaliv

9. Jiri Patera

10. Jakub Brabenec

11. Jonas Rondbjerg

12. Carl Lindbom

13. Daniil Chayka

GM: Kelly McCrimmon Hired: September 2019
COACH: John Tortorella Hired: March 2026

Prospect System Ranking – 25^th (18^th last year)