The 32-in-32 Series is an annual event here at DobberProspects! In August we completed breakdown of a team’s draft and insights into their off-season movements thus far. Following this up, the September 32-in-32 Series will dive into the depth of each organization, looking at their recent graduates, risers, fallers, and top-20 prospects. This update contains both, enjoy.

**************

The Vegas come in to the 2021-2022 season again as Stanley Cup contenders, only this time they need to rebound after the depressing way they ended the playoffs to the Montreal Canadiens. There was one big change in net and a few other changes at forward. Sadly, there is really no room for any graduates as there are 15 one-way contracts at forward, six on defense, and the goaltending is settled.

Offseason moves

Incoming

Laurent Brossoit – Vegas signed Brossoit to a two-year deal at $2.325M per year to be the back-up for Robin Lehner. Brossoit is a solid back up and he should be able to cover for Lehner when he gets his annual injury

Nolan Patrick – Patrick was traded from Nashville for Cody Glass as both centres need a new lease on life with a new team. Patrick would have a chance at a top-six centre spot but he needs a Stephenson injury, DeBoer to promote him instead of Nicolas Roy, and to not get hurt himself. He may need to wait a few seasons before actually being given a legit chance at a top-six spot, but he should have solid players to play with on the third line as well

Evgenii Dadonov – Dadonov does great with great players as he is a complimentary player, which he showed on his time from Florida to Ottawa. His production could either be great or terrible, depending on his powerplay role and linemates. He is a risky option to draft in leagues

Sven Baertschi – I just wanted to add Baertschi here as I have always been a fan and it is good to see him get out of an organization that did not believe him. Unfortunately, he decided to sign with a team so deep on the wing that he will need a couple injuries to get an NHL shot. Hopefully he will get a shot somewhere in the future

Brett Howden – The former first overall pick in 2016 by Tampa Bay has slowly developed in the NHL. He is solid in his own end but has regressed at scoring. He will likely be a bottom-line forward for Vegas until he can show more

Outgoing

Marc-Andre Fleury – The Vezina winner was moved for essentially nothing but $7M cap relief. It is crazy that Vegas could not get any real asset for him but they have been believers in Lehner since they traded for him

Ryan Reaves – The fighting fourth liner was traded to New York because Tom Wilson essentially for cap relief. It is amazing Vegas got an asset (2022 3^rd round pick) for him and not MAF

Mikael Hakkarainen – Traded for MAF then placed on unconditional waivers for the purpose of a mutual contract termination. So, in the end Vegas just gave MAF away, but everyone should know that by now

Nick DeSimone – Was traded for Howden and moves to a team with an incredibly stacked defense core. Talk about bad luck

Cody Glass – Glass was traded from the team that gave up on him. The writing was on the wall for all to see when the Golden Knights would not even bring him in to a game as a powerplay specialist, which he has shown he is an asset on, when they stopped scoring on the powerplay in the playoffs. Glass now goes to Nashville where offense goes to die they also have a terrible powerplay. Glass has a new lease on life and should be able to help this team create offense

Draft Recap

Round 1, #30 overall – Zach Dean, C

Dean is the type of player the Knights will come to love down when he makes the roster. He is a solid two-way center with one of those motors that are always in motion. He does not stop working. His offensive upside is likely not as high as other players available at #30, but he does have a high floor along with a good chance of becoming an NHLer

Round 2, #38 overall – Daniil Chayka, D

Chayka is a solid defenseman and a fine choice in the top half of round two. He projects well, but also have a low ceiling for offense and a higher floor than others as he should become a good #4-#6 in the future. Possibly a #3 if everything goes right. He has a good hard shot and can transition well, but he will not be counted on to run a powerplay

Round 4, #102 overall – Jakub Brabenec, C

As one of the younger players in the draft Brabenec is an intriguing prospect. He played a majority of his 2020-2021 season in the Czech men’s top league. Brabenec registered one assist in 23 games in the top Czech league, but in the international U18 action he posted 12 points in nine games. The Knights may have drafted a hidden gem here who was obviously out matched, with minimal minutes, in the top league. He is playing for the Charlottetown Islanders in the QMJHL this season and his production, playing against similar players, may explode

Round 4, #128 overall – Jakub Demek, RW

Demek is a 6-4 18-year-old playing in the Slovak leagues. He produced at over a point per game for the U18 Slovakia team with eight points with six games, and four in three games in the U20 league. He can still grow, and he produced well in the Slovakia2 league (.5 ppg). Demek is more of an unknown to me so I cannot give any real insights

Round 6, #190 overall – Artur Cholach, D

In 2019-2020, Cholach played in six different leagues spread across the USA and the Ukraine. Last year he only played four games in the main Ukraine league, and five international games for the tournament. He is a big kid standing at 6-4 and 201lbs, so Vegas must at least love the size

Round 7, #222 overall – Carl Lindbom, G

Lindbom is a goalie more GMs should take a chance on, especially in the seventh round. He could become the franchises next goalie of the future. He played only three total games last year but he has the skill and athleticism to become something special, or completely flame out as a seventh-round selection

*****

Graduating Players

Peter Diliberatore, D – Diliberatore looks to play full-time in the AHL for the Henderson Silver Knights as last season he left the NCAA late in the season to join the professional league

Risers

Lukas Cormier, D – He keeps upping his production each year in the QMJHL going from 0.57, to 0.82, and last season at 1.38 points per game. The skilled blueliner just keeps improving his offensive game

Logan Thompson, G – All Thompson did last year was win the Aldege “Baz” Bastien Memorial Award as the AHL’s outstanding goaltender for the 2020-21 season. Vegas management signed Brossoit for two years but if Thompson plays lights out like he did last year, then Brossoit will be traded before next season

Fallers

Lucas Elvenes, C – In 2019-2020, Elvenes looked like he was heading towards the NHL in no time. Unfortunately, last season his production declined slightly and all the talk of him joining the NHL seems to have quieted down. It is very odd

Connor Corcoran, D – Corcoran improved each year in the OHL but his first year in the professional leagues he only played six total games (two in the AHL and four in the ECHL). He really needs to get in to either the AHL or ECHL line up to improve or he will be an afterthought of the Knights

Prospect Depth Chart

The list is a combination of NHL readiness and upside

Top 20 Fantasy Prospects

1. Peyton Krebs
2. Brendan Brisson
3. Pavel Dorofeyev
4. Logan Thompson
5. Jack Dugan
6. Ivan Morozov
7. Lucas Elvenes
8. Lukas Cormier
9. Zach Dean
10. Brandon Kruse
11. Jake Leschyshyn
12. Jonas Røndbjerg
13. Daniil Chayka
14. Ben Jones
15. Jiri Patera
16. Kaedan Korczak
17. Martins Dzierkals
18. Isaiah Saville
19. Dylan Ferguson
20. Peter Diliberatore

********

Thanks for reading, follow me on twitter: @FHPQuinn

Pat Quinn