The 2025 NHL Draft is upon us, and for Vegas Golden Knights fans, it's a different experience than in recent years. General Manager Kelly McCrimmon has never been shy about using draft capital to acquire established talent, and this year is no exception. As a result of the Tomas Hertl trade, the Golden Knights will be without a first-round pick for the next two years. The team’s first pick comes late in the second round, 58th overall.
Draft Capital and Strategy
Despite not having a first-round selection, the Golden Knights possess six picks in the 2025 NHL Draft. They will be active on day two of the draft with the following selections:
Without a high pick, the Golden Knights will need to identify talent in the later rounds, something they have found success with in the past. In previous years, the team has found NHL players such as Pavel Dorofeyev, Nicolas Hague, and Kaedan Korczak outside of the first round. The scouting staff, led by Assistant Director of Player Personnel Bob Lowes, will be crucial in finding value.
Team Needs
Several reports suggest that the Golden Knights' prospect pool could use a rejuvenation, particularly on defense. While the team's center depth is considered a strength, the team should also be looking at options down the middle with aging centers and no clear successor. Goaltending is also strong in the system. Carl Lindbom is expected to be the Silver Knights' starter next season, with 2022 fourth-round pick Cameron Whitehead also in Henderson.
Potential Targets
Given their draft position, projecting specific players is challenging. However, some potential draft fits could include Carlos Handel, a defenseman from Halifax of the QMJHL.
Golden Knights' Approach
The Golden Knights have six draft picks, with their first at No. 58 in the second round. Without a first-round pick, the Golden Knights will have to find talent elsewhere, something they've gotten good at over the past few seasons. In Nashville, during the 2023 NHL Draft, they nabbed forward Mathieu Cataford. Since then, he has looked to be a steal in the third round.
Off-ice implications
The NHL is trying a decentralized draft format due to the high costs of sending staff to the event. Teams were surveyed about their interest in a decentralized draft format, and most expressed a preference for decentralization.
The Golden Knights' draft weekend could also set up the team’s free agency plans. Mitch Marner rumors are at an all-time high, and big decisions are on the horizon. The team has 9.6 million in cap space and has 18 roster spots already filled for next year. Ilya Samsonov is expected to test the free agent market. Free agency will spell major decisions for Vegas. July 1 will be crazy and hectic, and it's no secret that the Golden Knights will look to add talent across the board after a disappointing end to their season.
