Golden Knights Top 25 Under 25: Connor Corcoran developing way up the list

Knights On Ice’s 2020-21 preseason Golden Knights Top 25 Under 25 series ranks the top 25 players under the age of 25 currently in Vegas’ system. The KOI staff members created their own Top 25 Under 25 ballots. Each individual writer’s ballot was then used to generate a composite score that formed the final rankings.

The Vegas Golden Knights drafted Connor Corcoran 154th overall in the 2018 NHL Draft. In his draft year, Corcoran scored three goals and 24 points in 63 games. He scored 10 goals and 32 points the season after and then 19 goals and 54 points in his last season in the OHL.

No. 15: Connor Corcoran

• Age: 20
• Position: D
• Currently playing: Henderson Silver Knights
• Nationality: Canadian/

In 10 games in the playoffs between his draft year and the year after, Corcoran had six points. He has all the makings of a player who can add depth to the Golden Knights’ blue line going forward and make an impact in all three zones.

In short, Corcoran has had a linear, upward trajectory since being drafted. But he’s been hurt so far this season and has yet to make his AHL debut with the Henderson Silver Knights.

With Jimmy Schuldt under-performing (he has five points in 11 games) and Dylan Coghlan playing in and out of the Golden Knights’ lineup, the Silver Knights’ best defenseman has been 27-year-old former NHLer Ryan Murphy. They could use a young defenseman to develop, and Corcoran could fit that bill.

Connor Corcoran (#8, D-man, VGK 2018 5th round pick) scores directly off the faceoff to pick up his 54th point in 61 games this season. #VGK #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/6M1sjdPNrv

— Jack Manning (@NHLJackManning) March 8, 2020

I'm working on Connor Corcoran's (#8, Defenseman, VGK 2018 5th round) highlights. These 2 goals from the same game stood out. He's solid defensively but knows when to activate. I expect him to have a really big development year with the Silver Knights. #VegasBorn #VGKProspects pic.twitter.com/Uu5YGMHUDQ

— Jack Manning (@NHLJackManning) July 10, 2020

Corcoran was signed late — the Golden Knights signed him to an ELC with about a month to spare — but he proved to be worth it as a fifth-round pick. With more prospects in the pipeline at forward, signing Corcoran was a smart move.

Corcoran has proven his ability to play in all three zones of the ice and could likely see time on all three units when he inevitably begins playing with Henderson, especially with fellow prospect Kaedan Korczak headed back to Juniors.

The Golden Knights need to see how Corcoran’s game transitions to the AHL before any firm judgments can be made, however. There hasn’t been any recent news about when that could be, but it will likely be soon.

Honorable mention: Layton Ahac
No. 25: Jonas Rondbjerg
No. 24: Jake Leschyshyn
No. 23: Paul Cotter
No. 22: Keegan Kolesar
No. 21: Ben Jones
No. 20: Marcus Kallionkieli
No. 19: Lukas Cormier
No. 18: Pavel Dorofeyev
No. 17: Brandon Kruse
No. 16: Peter DeLiberatore