Let's be real for a second. If you’re looking for a team that nurtures its youngsters like a doting parent, you’ve come to the wrong place. The Vegas Golden Knights draft picks history isn't a long, winding road of patient development; it's a high-stakes poker game where the chips are prospects and the pot is the Stanley Cup.
Most NHL teams treat a first-round pick like a holy relic. In Vegas? It’s basically a high-end coupon for a proven superstar.
Since they hit the ice in 2017, the Golden Knights have operated with a "Win Now" mandate that would make George Steinbrenner blush. They don't just trade picks; they weaponize them. As of early 2026, the organization has drafted dozens of players, yet the number of those kids who actually stick around to wear the charcoal grey and gold for more than a cup of coffee is shockingly small.
What Really Happened with the First Rounders
It’s the stat that makes traditionalists dizzy: Between 2017 and 2026, Vegas has basically owned 13 first-round picks through various slots. They’ve kept exactly one of them on the active roster for any significant length of time. Actually, as of right now, Trevor Connelly—the 2024 19th-overall pick—is the only one still technically "in the system" with high expectations, and even he's been the subject of trade rumors since the moment he put on the jersey.
Remember Cody Glass? He was the first-ever pick in franchise history. Number six overall. The "Future of the Franchise." He was traded to Nashville for Nolan Patrick, who unfortunately dealt with severe injury issues. Glass himself is now on his fifth team in seven years.
Then there’s Nick Suzuki. Honestly, this is the one that probably stings the most for the front office, even if they won’t admit it. They shipped Suzuki, Tomas Tatar, and a second-rounder to Montreal to get Max Pacioretty. Suzuki is now the captain of the Canadiens and a consistent All-Star. Vegas got some great years out of Patches, sure, but Suzuki is the kind of center you build a decade around.
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But here’s the thing: Vegas doesn't care. They won a Cup in 2023. They’d trade Suzuki ten times over if it meant raising that banner.
The Trade-First Mentality
- Erik Brannstrom (2017): Sent to Ottawa in the Mark Stone blockbuster. Stone became the captain and the heartbeat of the team.
- Peyton Krebs (2019): Part of the massive package to land Jack Eichel from Buffalo. Eichel was the missing piece that delivered the 2023 title.
- Zach Dean (2021): Traded to St. Louis for Ivan Barbashev. Barbashev was a monster in the playoffs.
- David Edstrom (2023): Traded to San Jose before he even finished his first post-draft season to get Tomas Hertl.
Basically, if you’re a first-round pick for the Knights, you should probably rent, not buy, in Las Vegas.
Vegas Golden Knights Draft Picks: Finding Value in the Shadows
If the first round is where Vegas shops for trade bait, the middle rounds are where they actually try to find hockey players who can play "The Vegas Way." You've gotta give credit to the scouting staff; they’ve found some absolute gems in the dirt.
The poster child for this is Nicolas Hague. Drafted 34th overall in 2017, Hague was the ultimate "homegrown" success story. He played 364 games for the Knights, the most of any draft pick in franchise history, before being traded to Nashville in the summer of 2025 in a deal that brought back depth pieces like Colton Sissons and Jeremy Lauzon. Losing Hague felt like the end of an era for fans who wanted to see a kid grow up in the system.
Then you have Pavel Dorofeyev. Drafted in the third round in 2019, the Russian winger has turned into a legitimate goal-scoring threat. He led the team with 35 goals in the 2024-25 season. He’s the rare bird: a Vegas Golden Knights draft pick who survived the "Great Trade Purge" and became a core contributor.
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The Late-Round Success Stories
It isn't just the stars. Paul Cotter (4th round, 2018) was a physical force for years before being moved. Kaedan Korczak (2nd round, 2019) is finally finding his footing as a reliable bottom-pairing defenseman. Even Jiri Patera, a 6th-rounder from 2017, gave them some solid minutes in net when the injury bug bit.
The 2025 draft class, led by second-rounder Jakob Ihs Wozniak and third-rounder Mateo Nobert, shows the team is still trying to replenish the shelves. They didn't have a first-round pick in 2025—that went to San Jose for Hertl—and they won't have one in 2026 because of the Noah Hanifin trade with Calgary.
The Current Pipeline (Who’s Left?)
If you look at the current prospect pool, it’s a bit thin, but not empty. There’s a specific type of player Vegas likes: big, mobile, and high-IQ.
Trevor Connelly is the big name. He’s incredibly skilled, though he came with some off-ice questions that made a lot of teams pass on him. Vegas, never afraid of a gamble, took him at 19th. He’s likely the next "Big Chip." If Kelly McCrimmon sees a chance to land another superstar at the 2026 deadline, Connelly’s name will be the first one on the table.
In the NCAA, keep an eye on Lucas Van Vliet. He’s a 2024 7th-rounder playing at the University of St. Thomas, and he’s been lighting it up as a freshman. He’s averaging over a point per game. Usually, 7th-rounders are long shots, but Van Vliet looks like he might be a "thing."
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There’s also Abram Wiebe at the University of North Dakota. He’s a 7th-round pick from 2022 who has developed into an offensive threat from the blue line. He even repped the U.S. at the Spengler Cup recently.
Why the Strategy Works (And Why It’s Risky)
People love to criticize the Golden Knights for "disrespecting" their picks. Critics say they have no loyalty. But look at the results. Since 2017, they’ve made the playoffs almost every year, been to two Finals, and won a ring.
They treat players like assets. It’s cold. It’s business. But it works because they aren't afraid to admit when a pick isn't the right fit. When they realized Cody Glass wasn't going to be a #1 center for them, they didn't wait five years for him to "develop" into a bust. They moved him while he still had value.
The risk, obviously, is the future. Eventually, the bill comes due. When you don't have first-rounders in 2025 or 2026, and your core (Stone, Eichel, Pietrangelo) starts to age, you don't have that cheap, young talent to step in and fill the gaps. The blue line is already looking thinner than it used to.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're following the Vegas Golden Knights draft picks and trying to figure out what's next, stop thinking like a scout and start thinking like a GM.
- Don't get attached to names. If a kid is drafted in the first round by Vegas, watch his highlight reel, but don't buy his jersey. He is a currency, not a pillar.
- Watch the NCAA/Junior transitions. Because Vegas trades so many picks, the ones they do keep are usually high-character, high-floor guys who can play depth roles on cheap contracts. Watch players like Van Vliet and Wiebe; they are the "budget" solutions for a team tight against the cap.
- Monitor the "Trade Windows." Vegas is most active around the trade deadline and the draft. If they have a pick in the top 50, it is almost certainly being shopped for a veteran.
- Value the 3rd and 4th rounds. This is where the Knights actually build their roster depth. Look for players who have a "pro-ready" frame. They want guys who can jump into the AHL and be ready for a call-up within two seasons.
The Golden Knights have rewritten the script on how to run an expansion franchise. They proved that you don't have to suffer through a decade of "rebuilding" if you're willing to be ruthless with your draft capital. Whether that's sustainable for another decade remains the biggest question in hockey, but for now, the trophy case says they're doing something right.