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12 players the Golden Knights could take at No. 32 in 2023 NHL Entry Draft

Posted on by Jillian Wagner
NHL.com

Fresh off a Stanley Cup victory and parade, the Vegas Golden Knights will get back to business for the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, which will take place June 28-29 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

The first round will be held Wednesday night and will air on ESPN starting at 4 p.m., while rounds 2-7 will be broadcast on NHL Network (and ESPN+) beginning at 8 a.m. Thursday morning.

For the first time ever, the Golden Knights will have the No. 32 selection after finishing the 2022-23 season as the last team standing. The last pick in the first round of the draft is typically coined “Mr. Irrelevant,” but Vegas will do its best to find someone worthy of relevancy.

Nicolas Hague was the only Golden Knights’ draft pick to participate in the Stanley Cup Final, and the Golden Knights have traded five out of six former first-round picks (the lone exception being Brendan Brisson, the 29th overall selection in 2020).

Tracing every move that built the 2023 Stanley Cup-winning Golden Knights lineup
Note: This article features transactions directly related to the acquisition of all players who appeared in at least one game during the Golden Knights’ Stanley Cup run or who played in at least 35 games during the 2022-23 regular season. The Vegas Golden Knights are just six days removed from
Knights On IceJillian Wagner

However, the Golden Knights need to plan for the future now that they have made the “Cup in 6” mantra a reality. Though Year 7 will be about repeating Year 6’s championship outcome, the Vegas cupboards are relatively bare, and the draft is the perfect opportunity to restock the system and fill up the coffers with young talent.

In addition to the No. 32 pick, Vegas also owns two third-round picks (Nos. 77 and 96) as well as sixth- and seventh-round selections (Nos. 192 and 244, respectively). Vegas’ 2023 second-round selection was included in the Jack Eichel deal, which landed the Golden Knights the Sabres’ third-round pick in this year’s draft (No. 77).

The Golden Knights swapped fourth-round picks with Montreal last year, sending their 2023 fourth to Montreal in order to draft goaltender Cameron Whitehead (No. 128) in 2022, while Vegas’ 2023 fifth-round pick was a casualty of moving Shea Weber’s contract to Arizona earlier this season.

Though it is very difficult to project who will be left on the board when it is time for Kelly McCrimmon and Co. to make their selection in the first round, here are 12 players Vegas could welcome to the organization.

Daniil But, LW, Yaroslavl (MHL)

Central Scouting European Skaters ranking: 9

Daniil But is a massive 6-foot-5, 203-pound winger who skates very well for his size and who has great hands and high hockey IQ. His mid-range shot is particularly effective, and he’s an attractive prospect given his blend of size and skill as well as his commitment to playing a 200-foot game. He’s strong on the puck and is able to use his long reach to corral pucks and change the angle on shots to fool goalies.

Corey Pronman of The Athletic compares But to Alex Tuch, though his skating isn’t as powerful or natural as the former Golden Misfit.

Many scouts use the phrase “there’s a lot to like” about But’s game, including his puck protection, long reach and vision. He was a point-per-game player in the MHL (15 goals and 26 points in 26 games) and scored two goals in 15 games in the KHL last season.

Corey Pronman of The Athletic:

But is a large, highly skilled forward who can score. He makes a lot of crafty plays with the puck in small areas, and with his massive wingspan he’s able to pull pucks past a lot of checkers. He can both make and finish plays well, but he’s more of a goal scorer with a shot that can score from range. But isn’t blazing fast and his stride technique is just OK, but for a 6-foot-5 guy he can motor up the ice quite well, has a strong first step and he’ll be able to power his way to the net off rushes at higher levels. He gives a solid effort and is often involved in the play. Even though I don’t see a high-end trait other than his size, But checks every box and projects to be a major part of an NHL lineup.

Despite being considered a project, it’s unlikely But will be available at No. 32, though he’s certainly a player the Golden Knights will look at if he happens to fall.

Riley Heidt, C, Prince George Cougars (WHL)

Central Scouting North American Skaters ranking: 21

There is not much consensus on where Riley Heidt should or will go in the draft, but Heidt could fall to the 30’s or into the second round.

Heidt offers impressive scoring upside, as he recorded 97 points in the WHL this past season. He’s an intelligent player with strong playmaking ability, and he can run a power play, something the Golden Knights might value. He’s creative and is a somewhat elusive skater despite lacking high-end speed, and the projected middle-six forward provides energy and is hard on pucks.

Heidt is hardworking, a great passer and plays well with and without the puck. He’s strong on entries and rises to the occasion in intense situations, though that has gotten him into some disciplinary trouble in the WHL.

He saw a 39-point increase in production in just three more games compared to his first season with the Cougars, and he finished tied with Conor Bedard for most assists (72) in the WHL this past season. Heidt has high-end vision, and there’s reason to believe he’ll continue to progress in his development.

Danny Nelson, C, NTDP (USHL)

Central Scouting North American Skaters ranking: 22

Danny Nelson has experience playing both center and defense, offering unique versatility. He’s another player who works hard and is committed to the defensive side of his game, which is something Bruce Cassidy and the Golden Knights not only value but demand.

The sizable Nelson – 6-foot-3 and 203 pounds – recorded 47 points in 62 games with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program this season, scored four goals and seven points in seven games in the U18 Worlds and is committed to the University of Notre Dame in 2024-25.

He was one of the more reliable penalty killers for the U18 team, has a reliable work ethic and has a good release.

While he has solid puck skills, his skating is a question mark for some scouts, as is his consistency. That being said, he possesses a lot of raw talent and could go in several directions position-wise.

There are some “if’s” as far as his development, but the upside is there, especially given his size, skating ability and age (he’s one of the younger 2005-born players). His physicality, compete level and responsible play would make him a good fit with Vegas.

Lukas Dragicevic, D, Tri-City Americans (WHL)

Central Scouting North American Skaters ranking: 18

The rankings of defensemen in this year’s draft are a bit all over the place, but one name that could be on the board at No. 32 is Lukas Dragicevic. Dragicevic is more of an offensive-minded rearguard who put up 75 points in 68 games with the Tri-City Americans of the WHL. He had a 27-game point streak this past season and definitely has the offense down; however, he’s still learning the defensive aspects of his game after switching to the position three years ago.

Simply put, Dragicevic looks like a forward playing defense; he’s aggressive, can lead the rush and has good hands and instincts in addition to being able to produce at an impressive clip. He can run the power play, has patience with the puck and exhibits strong hockey IQ, though his skating and defense are works in progress.

The primary knock on the 6-foot-1, 194-pound right-shot defenseman is what some scouts describe as “clunky” skating, and while his decision-making lacks processing speed, he manages to be elusive given his hands and playmaking ability.

Several scouts compare Dragicevic to Edmonton’s Evan Bouchard, though Dragicevic lacks Bouchard’s shot.

EliteProspects 2023 NHL Draft Guide:

Dragicevic’s skill is the envy of most forwards. He sends opponents careening into the boards with rapid-fire handling, uses them as screens with fluid curl-and-drag shots, and freezes multiple at once with deception before setting up a tap-in. But it’s not just the skill; it’s how everything interacts. Many of his best sequences start on the breakout, where he manipulates the first forechecker, then passes off. He activates, gets the puck back, completes another give-and-go, then fires off a chance.

Given the strength of Vegas’ young third pairing of Hague and Zach Whitecloud, there could be room in the future for a more offensive-minded blueliner, and there’s plenty of time for Dragicevic to develop other aspects of his game. Like all prospects, he’s somewhat of a hit-or-miss option.

As Corey Pronman from The Athletic puts it, “There’s a clear path where an NHL coach doesn’t trust him and he misses. But if he hits, you’re getting a potential top-four defenseman who can help your power play in a significant way.”

Gavin Brindley, C/LW, University of Michigan (NCAA)

Central Scouting North American Skaters ranking: 23

Gavin Brindley is a high-energy forward who is difficult to defend and goes to the net. His compete level is one of his best qualities, as is his skating.

He recorded 12 goals and 38 points in 41 games with the University of Michigan this past season. He’s highly skilled, strong along the boards and has good hockey sense and IQ. His playmaking may not turn heads, but he’s a skillful forward who plays the game at a high pace, and he never stops moving and never stops competing. At 5-foot-9, Brindley carries a bit of risk, though it’s a risk other clubs may elect to take before Vegas’ name gets called.

He’s shifty with the puck and gives 100 percent regardless of the role he’s assigned. His drive and motor set him apart, and his production saw an uptick as the year wore on, as he finished the season with 28 points in 21 games. Brindley has middle-six potential but can be successful in a variety of roles, especially if he adds to his 157-pound frame.

EliteProspects 2023 NHL Draft Guide:

Brindley is a high-motor player who excels on the defensive side of the puck. He’s a tenacious forechecker and reliable in defensive zone coverage. He’s always in motion, always attacking lanes, bouncing around defenders to find them, especially on the power play. He anticipates plays ahead of time and moves to support them.

Theo Lindstein, D, Brynas IF (SHL)

Central Scouting European Skaters ranking: 14

Theo Lindstein is another defenseman the Golden Knights could consider if he’s still around at the end of the first round. Lindstein is someone who can take on significant minutes and who plays a steady two-way game.

He has high-end hockey IQ, skates well and makes quick decisions with the puck. His stock has been rising, but he’s still considered a bubble player who could go in the first or second rounds.

Lindstein plays a relatively quiet game but skates well, moves the puck well and makes a strong first pass. He’s a smart defender who plays with confidence, has quick feet, plays hard and projects to be a bottom-pair defenseman.

The 6-foot, 181-pound rearguard managed one goal and one assist in 32 games for Brynas’ SHL team and scored two goals and seven points in 14 games with its J20 club.

Lindstein may not special or flashy, but he’s solid.

Scott Wheeler of The Athletic:

There’s just a presence and detail to his game out there. He manages play and uses strong positioning, a good stick, and a heady approach to have his impact. There’s not a lot of offense to his game but it feels like he’s got a fairly high floor/likelihood of becoming a solid D partner to someone in the NHL long term.

Bradly Nadeau, C, Penticton Vees (BCHL)

Central Scouting North American Skaters ranking: 17

The 5-foot-10, 161-pound Bradly Nadeau offers speed and skill with offensive upside. He’s a great skater with a high ceiling who scored 45 goals and 113 points in 54 games as the best player in the BCHL this past season.

He’s good in transition, something Vegas values highly, and is able to evade defenders given his speed and skill. He has impressive vision and can thread the needle with his passing even at high speeds. He’s effective on the power play and has a formidable one-timer and decent compete level. He has good hands and offensive creativity and projects to be a middle-six winger.

That being said, Nadeau, who is committed to the University of Maine, could end up being one of the steals of the draft.

EliteProspects 2023 NHL Draft Guide:

The power that Nadeau creates off his shot is not only downright terrifying to witness in person, but also awe-inspiring from a mechanical point of view. He’s effectively stacked more nuance and deception to make it an even more dangerous threat. From his curl-and-drag attempts around sprawling defenders to his angle-changing release, Nadeau’s arms are always separated from his body leveraging the full force of his upper body leveraging down on the stick.

Scott Wheeler of The Athletic:

Nadeau creates offense in a variety of ways, bursting wide or pulling away from defenders in transition with his quick feet, taking the puck right at or through coverage with his maneuverability, or leaning into a pinpoint shot (whether off of catch-and-releases, standstill shooting mechanics off the flank on the power play or through his one-timer — which the Vees have tried to open by playing him, a right-handed shot, on his off wing this season). His 113 points in 54 games this year were the most by an under-18 skater in the BCHL since Kyle Turris in 2007, outproducing players like Kent Johnson, Alex Newhook and Tyson Jost at the same age.

David Edstrom, C, Frölunda HC (SHL)

Central Scouting European Skaters ranking: 25

David Edstrom is a 6-foot-3, 187-pound two-way center. He’s strong around the net, good on faceoffs, wins battles and kills penalties, and he can contribute offensively despite lacking flash. He’s a good skater and has good hands.

Edstrom was a point-per-game player with 28 points in 28 games on the Frölunda HC J20 team, recorded two goals and four points in 11 games with Frölunda in the SHL and was the first-line center for Sweden at the U18 Worlds, where he scored five goals and eight points in seven games.

Edstrom is known as a big, physical two-way pivot who works hard and can skate but doesn’t have elite skill. However, his demonstrated ability to produce at different levels this past season could make him a first-round pick in this year’s draft. He uses his size to his advantage and still has room to grow on his frame.

Whether or not he’ll be there at No. 32 remains to be seen, but he’s an intriguing bubble option the Golden Knights could consider.

Carson Rehkopf, LW, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

Central Scouting North American Skaters ranking: 29

Carson Rehkopf (6-foot-1, 194 pounds) scored 30 goals and 59 points in 68 games with the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL this past season.

Scott Wheeler of The Athletic had the Golden Knights selecting Rehkopf in his latest mock draft.

The Golden Knights have shown an affinity to athletic, straight-line players and Rehkopf’s rangy speed-shot game checks both of those boxes with emphasis, while also providing positional versatility as a player who has played all three forward positions successfully.

Considering the Golden Knights benefited greatly from the trade-deadline acquisition of a guy like Ivan Barbashev, the offensive versatility Rehkopf offers could be intriguing for Vegas. Rehkopf has straight-line speed, strong puck control and has one of the better shots in the draft.

He had an up-and-down season in the OHL but is considered to possess an alluring skill set. He’s a strong shooter and playmaker but does lack consistency, which leaves room for doubt in the eyes of certain scouts. That could leave him out of the first round, but the Golden Knights have the option of taking a chance on someone at No. 32, and Rehkopf’s production, size and speed could be an attractive combination for the Stanley Cup champions.

Jayden Perron, RW, Chicago Steel (USHL)

Central Scouting North American Skaters ranking: 43

Jayden Perron is one of the top players in the USHL and recorded 24 goals and 72 points in 61 games this past season. The 5-foot-9, 165-pound winger is a great passer with great hands and immense hockey IQ. Though his size could be a factor for some teams, it shouldn’t be for the Golden Knights, who just watched the 5-foot-9, 183-pound Jonathan Marchessault win the Conn Smythe Trophy with an electrifying postseason performance.

Perron is a deceptive skater, a strong stickhandler and a patient player who plays well with and without the puck. He thinks the game at a high level and has plenty of skill to overcome any knocks on his size. Perron is committed to the University of North Dakota.

Scott Wheeler of The Athletic:

Evasive. Slick. Problem-solving. Finesse. Manipulation. It’s all there. You want the play to run through his hands and brain.

He’s got some of the best soft skill in the draft. His size is obviously a talking point, and there’s a boom-or-bust element to his projection, but he’s a first-round talent and was a clear play-creator on a team with a few of them in Chicago this year. I expect him to become a top point producer in college at the University of North Dakota. Players with his on-ice smarts almost always make it these days and I expect him to be no different.

Ethan Gauthier, RW, Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMJHL)

Central Scouting North American Skaters ranking: 16

Ethan Gauthier is known for his blend of skill and hockey IQ. He’s creative, has impressive one-on-one ability and goes to the net, where he creates chances for himself and his teammates. He has a high compete level and brings a physical edge to his game despite his smaller 5-foot-11, 183-pound frame.

Gauthier projects to be a middle-six winger with top-six upside and can score while also being a complementary player for his linemates. He recorded 30 goals and 69 points in 66 games this past season with the Sherbrooke Phoenix of the QMJHL.

He didn’t “wow” all scouts but was consistent, used his quickness to get around defenders and played strong down low, something the Golden Knights would appreciate, particularly after their recent playoff run. However, he could be long gone at No. 32.

Gauthier scored six goals and seven points in five games at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

Gauthier models his game after Matthew and Brady Tkachuk as well as Yanni Gourde. “Obviously, the Tkachuk brothers…I love their competitiveness and how they use their physicality to make plays offensively,” Gauthier said. “Even [a] smaller guy like Yanni Gourde is a great example of how I try to play. A small, gritty player that’s good on the forecheck, good around the net and creates energy for his team.”

Gauthier is the son of former defensemen Denis Gauthier, who played more than 500 games in the NHL. He’s the cousin of current NHL player Julien Gauthier, who was an effective bottom-six forward for the New York Rangers before getting dealt to Ottawa at the deadline.

Kasper Halttunen, RW, HIFK (Liiga)

Central Scouting European Skaters ranking: 11

At 6-foot-3 and 207 pounds, Kasper Halttunen is another big forward with a powerful shot. He was highly productive in Finland’s top junior league, scoring 18 goals and 24 points in 18 games with the U20 SM-sarja. Howevre, he wasn’t overly noticeable in the professional league (Liiga) and did not make Finland’s world juniors team.

But Halttunen has undeniable offensive skill and can score from distance, with an intriguing wrist shot and one-timer among other assets. His compete level is inconsistent, but he can be a true threat when he’s on the ice, and he’s not afraid to be physical.

He’s another player who projects to be a middle-six forward with top-six potential but possesses one of the best shots in the draft, which he uses well on the power play.

EliteProspects 2023 NHL Draft Guide:

Kasper Halttunen possesses a heavy shot, also has the handling skills, the reach and moments where he plays a physical, power forward game, where he drops his shoulder and runs through defenders’ hands to try and get to the game. He’s got a one-timer from the left half wall that power plays can be built around.

Scott Wheeler of The Athletic:

Halttunen has promise as a driven, shot-first, power-forward style winger who can really impose himself against his peers with his ability to get to his spots, outmuscle opposing players, and play a menacing physical style off the puck.

He’s got a pro-built game and frame but he can also make plays for himself and his shot is extremely heavy. He plays to the inside and then he’s got the skill needed to make plays around the net, even at 6-foot-3. He can definitely be a lot to handle for opposing players when he builds a head of steam, drives into contact in possession, and they have to engage with him. He protects pucks really well and has sneaky-soft hands through his practiced patterns handling the puck (his hands can look a little sloppy when things get hectic though). His snapper is certainly NHL quality and has shown it can cleanly beat goalies from mid-range (the puck really rattles off his blade).

I do worry at times about his problem-solving, discipline, play selection and feel enough to rank him outside the first round, though. And his skating can look a little stilted from a standstill (he’s got decent power once he gets going).

He’s a legit prospect but I haven’t seen a star quality in him (at least not yet).

Talking Points