The Vegas Golden Knights are Still Building Through the Expansion and so far Their Team is Looking Quite Competitive.
The Vegas Golden Knights have been building quite the team already with their first 9 selections. They have chosen some quality young guys and some very key veterans to help the team.
vegas golden knights
May 31, 2017; Las Vegas, NV, USA: General overall view of the T-Mobile Arena exterior and Toshiba Plaza on Las Vegas Blvd. on the Las Vegas strip. The facility will be the home of the NHL expansion franchise Vegas Golden Knights which will begin play during the 2017-18 season. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Now we show you their next 20 selections in the expansion draft.
As it looks right now the Knights are going to be extremely competitive next season and who knows they could possibly trade a few of these guys for upgrades.
vegas golden knights
Jun 11, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators left wing James Neal (18) against the Pittsburgh Penguins in game six of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Pick 10. Connor Brickley
Connor Brickley is still a young prospect with a ton of upside, and at 25 he's just getting ready. If he doesn't pan out in the NHL or make the lineup out of training camp he can always play for Chicago in the AHL since he's seen a lot of success in the league.
Pick 11. Chris Thorburn
Every team needs a fourth liner that will take the body and make a team hard to play against. And that's why the selection of Chris Thorburn happened, he will come in and fill a fourth line role immediately.
Pick 12. Pierre-Edouard Bellemare
At 32 years old it's surprising to know Pierre-Edouard Bellemare didn't become an NHL regular until the 2014-15 season. But since then he's been a very solid player for the Flyers. And due to his age, his career may be coming to an end soon but that won't stop him from making an appearance in Vegas first and getting on the scoresheet.
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Pick 13. Jason Garrison
Another 32-year-old, Jason Garrison has been a solid point producer going all the way back to the 2008-09 season with Florida. His best season came in 2011-12 when he scored 16 goals and had 33 points. But last year he only managed nine in 70 games, so he's likely to play a bottom pairing role with the Knights.
Pick 14. Jean-Francois Berube.
The 25-year-old Berube hasn't seen consistent NHL time since he was dealt to the Islanders from the Kings. When the Knights left Jaroslav Halak exposed it seemed he could have been a viable option in net, but now it seems the team is looking at Marc-Andre Fleury closely. So the selection of Berube is more of a depth one to let him develop more in the AHL before becoming a backup when needed.
Pick 15. James Neal
Even though James Neal is 29, he still has a lot of hockey and scoring in his system. His best season came in 2011-12 with Pittsburgh when he scored 81 points. And coming off a year in Nashville where he saw the Cup Final tallying up nine points in 22 playoff games with 41 points in 70 regular season games.
vegas golden knights
May 21, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Marc Methot (3) clears the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period in game five of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the PPG PAINTS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Pick 16. Deryk Engelland
Deryk Engelland has become a solid defenseman for the Flames playing first line and bottom line minutes showing his durability as a defenseman. So with the Knights choosing to select him was a very smart move.
Pick 17. Brendan Leipsic
Brendan Leipsic was one of Toronto's most talented prospects still in the farm system next to Kerby Rychel. So the Knights definitely got themselves a solid player who can still develop more in Chicago before finally making the Knights roster for good.
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Pick 18. Colin Miller
It was known from the start that a very skilled Bruins defenseman would be up for grabs, but only a few saw the selection of Colin Miller coming. He's a 24-year-old who has been a solid standout for Boston putting up 16, 12, and 13 point seasons respectively while posting a plus-three over those three seasons. He's going to see some quilty time in Vegas that's for sure!
Pick 19. Marc Methot
Everyone knows how sturdy of a defenseman Marc Methot is, and if you didn't know you should watch his highlights from this years post season with Ottawa. He shut down the best of the best which is what he's known for doing. And when Vegas selected him, they definitely stole another player.
Pick 20. David Schlemko
The 30-year-old Schlemko first appeared in the NHL in 2008-09 when Arizona was still named Phoenix. He played seven seasons with the Coyotes organization before joining Dallas and then Calgary late in the 2014-15 season. And in 2015-16 he was on the move again but this time to New Jersey and that wasn't the end he also made a stop in San Jose last season appearing in 62 games posting 18 points, one shy of his career high the year before.
