The list of unprotected players from each team has officially been made public. So for the first time we can release a realistic mock draft for the brand new Las Vegas Golden Knights. Below is our breakdown of who the Golden Knights should take from each team. Key dates to remember:
- June 18th-21st - Las Vegas can sign unrestricted free agents
- June 21st - Las Vegas team is announced at the NHL Awards Ceremony
- June 23rd-24th - NHL Entry Draft
- July 1st - Free agency officially begins
Before we dive into this mock draft, let's go over some ground rules. First, the Knights will select a player from every NHL team. They must draft a minimum of 14 forwards, 9 defensemen and 3 goaltenders. Teams have submitted a list of unprotected players to the NHL. These unprotected players must include at least one forward, two defensemen and one goalie who are under contract for next season. Teams are obligated to protect any player with a "no movement" clause. Lastly, all first and second year pro players are exempt from being selected, they do not count against their team's protected player list.
If you want to make your own mock draft, I encourage you to checkout Cap Friendly's expansion draft tool. They did a great job putting it together and give you a great look at all the options for the Golden Knights.
- June 18th-21st - Las Vegas can sign unrestricted free agents
- June 21st - Las Vegas team is announced at the NHL Awards Ceremony
- June 23rd-24th - NHL Entry Draft
- July 1st - Free agency officially begins
Before we dive into this mock draft, let's go over some ground rules. First, the Knights will select a player from every NHL team. They must draft a minimum of 14 forwards, 9 defensemen and 3 goaltenders. Teams have submitted a list of unprotected players to the NHL. These unprotected players must include at least one forward, two defensemen and one goalie who are under contract for next season. Teams are obligated to protect any player with a "no movement" clause. Lastly, all first and second year pro players are exempt from being selected, they do not count against their team's protected player list.
If you want to make your own mock draft, I encourage you to checkout Cap Friendly's expansion draft tool. They did a great job putting it together and give you a great look at all the options for the Golden Knights.
Anaheim Ducks
Sami Vatanen - D
Other Notable Options
Nate Thompson
Patrick Eaves
Jonathan Bernier
Nate Thompson
Patrick Eaves
Jonathan Bernier
Arizona Coyotes
Zbynek Michalek - D
Other Notable Options
Radim Vrbata
Shane Doan
Jarred Tinordi
Radim Vrbata
Shane Doan
Jarred Tinordi
Boston Bruins
Malcolm Subban - G
Other Notable Options
Jimmy Hayes
Dominic Moore
Adam McQuaid
Jimmy Hayes
Dominic Moore
Adam McQuaid
Buffalo Sabres
Matt Moulson - F
Other Notable Options
Brian Gionta
Zach Bogosian
Josh Gorges
Brian Gionta
Zach Bogosian
Josh Gorges
Calgary Flames
Michael Stone - D
Other Notable Options
Troy Brouwer
Kris Versteeg
Brian Elliot
Troy Brouwer
Kris Versteeg
Brian Elliot
Carolina Hurricanes
Bryan Bickell - F
Other Notable Options
Eddie Lack
Lee Stempniak
Cam Ward
Eddie Lack
Lee Stempniak
Cam Ward
Chicago Blackhawks
Trevor van Riemsdyk - G
Other Notable Options
Marcus Kruger
Johnny Oduya
Brian Campbell
Marcus Kruger
Johnny Oduya
Brian Campbell
Colorado Avalanche
Carl Soderberg - F
Other Notable Options
Rene Bourque
Fedor Tyutin
Carl Soderberg
Mikhail Grigorenko
Rene Bourque
Fedor Tyutin
Carl Soderberg
Mikhail Grigorenko
Columbus Blue Jackets
Jack Johnson - D
Other Notable Options
Matt Calvert
Sam Gagner
William Karlsson
Matt Calvert
Sam Gagner
William Karlsson
Dallas Stars
Dan Hamhuis - D
Other Notable Options
Ales Hemsky
Patrick Sharp
Antti Niemi
Ales Hemsky
Patrick Sharp
Antti Niemi
Detroit Red Wings
Jonathan Ericsson - D
Other Notable Options
Darren Helm
Niklas Kronwall
Petr Mrazek
Darren Helm
Niklas Kronwall
Petr Mrazek
Edmonton Oilers
Benoit Pouliot - F
Other Notable Options
Matt Hendricks
Andrew Ference
Kris Russel
Matt Hendricks
Andrew Ference
Kris Russel
Florida Panthers
Reilly Smith - F
Other Notable Options
Jaromir Jagr
Jussi Jokinen
Thomas Vanek
Jaromir Jagr
Jussi Jokinen
Thomas Vanek
Los Angeles Kings
Dustin Brown - F
Other Notable Options
Marian Gaborik
Jarome Iginla
Rob Scuderi
Marian Gaborik
Jarome Iginla
Rob Scuderi
Minnesota Wild
Matt Dumba - D
Other Notable Options
Martin Hanzal
Marco Scandella
Eric Staal
Martin Hanzal
Marco Scandella
Eric Staal
Montreal Canadiens
Alex Radulov - F
Other Notable Options
Tomas Plekanec
Alexei Emelin
Andre Markov
Tomas Plekanec
Alexei Emelin
Andre Markov
Nashville Predators
James Neal - F
Other Notable Options
Mike Fisher
PA Paranteau
Colin Wilson
Mike Fisher
PA Paranteau
Colin Wilson
New Jersey Devils
Mike Cammalleri - F
Other Notable Options
Beau Bennett
Ben Lovejoy
Stefan Noesen
Beau Bennett
Ben Lovejoy
Stefan Noesen
New York Islanders
Dennis Seidenberg - D
Other Notable Options
Cal Clutterbuck
Nikolay Kulemin
Jaroslav Halak
Cal Clutterbuck
Nikolay Kulemin
Jaroslav Halak
New York Rangers
Michael Grabner - F
Other Notable Options
Tanner Glass
Matt Puempel
Kevin Klein
Tanner Glass
Matt Puempel
Kevin Klein
Ottawa Senators
Bobby Ryan - F
Other Notable Options
Clarke McCarthur
Chris Neil
Marc Methot
Clarke McCarthur
Chris Neil
Marc Methot
Philadelphia Flyers
Matt Read - F
Other Notable Options
Dale Weise
Steve Mason
Michael Del Zotto
Dale Weise
Steve Mason
Michael Del Zotto
Pittsburgh Penguins
Marc-Andre Fleury - G
Other Notable Options
Nick Bonino
Carl Hagelin
Bryan Rust
San Jose Sharks
Paul Martin - D
Other Notable Options
Mikkel Boedker
Patrik Marleau
Joe Thornton
Mikkel Boedker
Patrik Marleau
Joe Thornton
St. Louis Blues
Nail Yakupov - F
Other Notable Options
David Perron
Carl Gunnarson
Robert Bortuzzo
David Perron
Carl Gunnarson
Robert Bortuzzo
Tampa Bay Lightning
Jason Garrison - D
Other Notable Options
Cory Conacher
Cedric Paquette
Andrej Sustr
Cory Conacher
Cedric Paquette
Andrej Sustr
Toronto Maple Leafs
Brian Boyle - F
Other Notable Options
Eric Fehr
Joffrey Lupul
Milan Michalek
Eric Fehr
Joffrey Lupul
Milan Michalek
Vancouver Canucks
Ryan Miller - G
Other Notable Options
Derek Dorsett
Jack Skille
Luca Sbisa
Derek Dorsett
Jack Skille
Luca Sbisa
Washington Capitals
TJ Oshie - F
Other Notable Options
Kevin Shattenkirk
Justin Williams
Karl Alzner
Kevin Shattenkirk
Justin Williams
Karl Alzner
Winnipeg Jets
Toby Enstrom
Other Notable Options
Shawn Matthias
Ondrej Pavelec
Mark Stuart
Shawn Matthias
Ondrej Pavelec
Mark Stuart
So here it is, the full breakdown of what could be the Las Vegas Golden Knights roster. A very impressive gathering of talent, especially for a first year franchise. Lots of skill and depth throughout the team, including great goaltending options.
I really like what this team has to offer. There are no bonafide superstars, but James Neal, Bobby Ryan and TJ Oshie are all in that second tier of star players. I would pay to watch this team. I think what I like most about this team is how well-balanced it is.
First, they are equally strong on offense and defense. There is not an obvious weak spot. Second, they have a variety of youth and veteran players. They are good enough to compete for a playoff spot right now in the weak Western Conference. Also, they have young players like Vatanen, Smith and Subban that could grow into very good players for the future.
Most likely this is not the same team the Golden Knights will go with. They have other plans and trades in the works. They also still have the draft and free agency before this season begins. No matter what, they will be a very competitive team in their first NHL season.
