Vegas Golden Knights Draft Review 2023
2023-09-14
In a thrilling and strategic move that had fans on the edge of their seats, the Vegas Golden Knights made waves in the hockey world by selecting a total of five promising draft picks in the recent NHL Entry Draft. With their sights set on bolstering their roster for the future, the Golden Knights demonstrated their commitment to building a formidable team by handpicking a group of talented young players. These selections mark an exciting chapter in the team's journey, as they look to continue their pursuit of excellence on the ice in the seasons to come. Vegas fans can't wait to see these rising stars don the iconic Golden Knights jersey and contribute to the team's ongoing success.
What do the scouts say?
"Leonard is a versatile winger with a lot of elements to his game that an NHL coach will covet. He’s a strong skater who competes very well, with a direct style of play and despite an average-sized frame he has a lot of physicality in his game. He combines that with excellent hands and an ability to make highly skilled plays with the puck at full speed. His playmaking isn’t great but there’s vision and finishing ability in his game to score at higher levels. Leonard may never truly stand out at either end of the ice, but he will never give a coach a reason to sit him and projects as a quality top-six wing."-Corey Pronman (The Athletic)
Behind the Scenes:
"I was pretty excited to add Ryan Leonard into the organization. I felt that the team needed to target a forward with my first overall pick. I was really hoping to see Matvei Michkov fall to me, but once I saw Jared take him second overall in the Mock Draft V2.0 those dreams quickly faded away. I had it down to Leonard and Zach Benson as to who I was going to take. During the summer every time I would watch video on either player they would then go to the top of my board. In the end though I really liked Leonard a little bit more because of his size, and his drive that he has in his game."-DW
What do the scouts say?
"With excellent skating and work ethic, Brindley buzzes around the ice, playing with a ton of pace and giving his best effort nightly. He’s able to make skilled plays at full speed and plays with courage, going to the net and engaging along the walls. Brindley’s pure offensive touch won’t dazzle, but he has good hands and hockey sense and can make plays at higher levels. There aren’t a ton of two-way forwards in the NHL who barely touch 5-foot-9, but Brindley has the right mix of traits to be the next one even if there’s risk on his projection. I see a middle-six forward whether at center or the wing, but likely the latter."-Corey Pronman (The Athletic)
Behind the Scenes:
"Brindley was my number one pick for the 29th pick on my board. While being "small", he is build like a fire hydrant. Throughout last year while watching Michigan games, he was one player I kept an eye on in every game. I was a little worried that he would be off the board, especially after Montreal had moved two picks ahead of this pick. Thankfully for me, Matthew liked Musty and Gulyayev more and I was able to get who I was targeting."-DW
What do the scouts say?
"Unger Sorum is intriguing due to his strong skill and offensive sense. He can run a power play at a high level and makes a ton of difficult plays with the puck off the flank. He has the skill for the pro game, but whether a 5-foot-11 wing with subpar skating can make it versus NHL defenders is the question. I think Unger Sorum competes fine, even if he’s not overly physical, but he’ll need to be highly competitive to make it."-Corey Pronman (The Athletic)
Behind the Scenes:
"I was honestly pretty shocked to see that Unger Sorum was still on the board when I picked. About four picks before me was when I got the feeling that I would be able to grab him. I'm excited to see his game grow in the SHL, and within the Carolina NHL system once he makes it over."-DW
What do the scouts say?
"Jansson was just fine at the Allsvenskan level this season but he was a top defenseman at the world juniors. Jansson is a very intelligent defenseman who can run a power play, skates well and has a good point shot. He’s an average-sized defenseman who isn’t very physical or strong a defender so the offense will need to be excellent as a pro and I’m 50/50 on whether he will clear that bar. The talent is good enough to give himself a real shot to play NHL games but I need to see more to see what his defined NHL role would be."-Corey Pronman (The Athletic)
Behind the Scenes:
"Jansson was one of my rare past draft selections. He really came onto my radar with his strong play at the World Juniors this past year where he was tied for the lead in team points in scoring with Filip Bystedt. I was really thinking about moving up to into the third round from the fourth when I got a message from Ryan (NJ GM) asking if I would be interested in a deal. I think I almost replied back instantly without giving it a second thought."-DW
What do the scouts say?
"Filmon had a great season, scoring 47 goals in 64 WHL games. He’s always been intriguing from an athleticism standpoint with his skating and decent size, but the added offense makes him look a lot like an NHLer. Filmon was making way more plays through checks and to teammates this season than I saw the prior year. You add in a solid work ethic, a willingness to get inside and a good finishing touch and he looks like a potential middle-six winger."-Corey Pronman (The Athletic)
Behind the Scenes:
"Another player from the 2022 draft. Filmon was a player I had marked on my board last season, and had slipped my mind into I started to look back at past drafts. I really like his game, and think he can become an every day EHE player if/when he finally puts on some weight to that beanpole body of his."-DW
Nice haul! 5/5 for me. Love your first 3 picks and the over-agers where you got em too. Thinking I may rue the day I passed on Unger -Sorum.
Vegas Golden Knights Draft Review 2023
All-American First Round