The 32-in-32 Series is an annual event here at DobberProspects and has been condensed from two articles to one. The article will bring you: The highlighted team’s draft; insights into its off-season moves; looking at prospect risers, fallers and likely prospects to play NHL games; and of course, the writers’ top-20 prospects. Articles may be brought back when an important team update occurs, so check back because we plan to fill your hockey withdrawal needs all off-season!

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Be sure to check out the Vegas Golden Knights team page here: https://dobberprospects.com/team/vegas-golden-knights/

To view past 32s go here: https://dobberprospects.com/category/feature/32-in-32-series/

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Bruce Cassidy and the Vegas Golden Knights came away from 1-0 overtime elimination with next year’s goal: make plays. In an article from SinBin.com following their Game Five loss to the Oilers, Cassidy practically handed GM Kelly McCrimmon his off-season playbook, “The biggest thing we will try to change is that we like to make plays. We like to get into the game by making plays and we have to change our mindset for the first 10 minutes.” Few can get a jump on the game by creating plays the way Mitch Marner can.

On July 1 — or better known to NHL GMs as Christmas — McCrimmon brought the 100-point forward to Vegas by trading Nicolas Roy to the Leafs. Putting aside the salary cap ramifications, the move makes the Knights a top-tier contender. Lining Marner up with Jack Eichel is a dream combination that only fantasy managers have been enjoying until now. McCrimmon asserted that adding Marner to the team for eight years will help them win the Cup, “He’s an elite playmaker and tremendous passer… It’s about building a team that can win the Stanley Cup,” during July 1’s media scrum.

Rostering 100-point players is great, but rostering over $103M in cap is not — and that is where the Knights find themselves. Next year’s salary cap is roughly $95.5M, putting Vegas over by approximately $7.3M, which is more money than the Panthers’ Carter Verhaeghe makes. This assumes that Pietrangelo’s extended LTIR status will remain in question — call it the Vegas effect — and his $8.8M cap hit is projected against the cap until the playoffs when they have to roster a cap compliant team. Along with Marner’s contract extension, McCrimmon also committed $12M between starter Adin Hill, middle-pairing defender Kaeden Korczak, and winger Keegan Kolesar. If they do get LTIR relief, that leaves them only $1.5M in cap space to work with during the season. The usual major in-season splashes may be toned down for the Knights this year — or be utter magic. Good thing Dorofeyev signed to $1.835M for two years right before his breakout last season.

It is worth highlighting that the Vegas Golden Knights struck gold with their 2025 draft class. With all four picks outside of the first round, the organization mined a ton of value on some underrated talent. If the organization is set on carving out a championship cap structure — drafting and developing is a surefire way to do it.

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NHL Draft Recap

Round 2, 55 overall: Jakob Ihs Wozniak, C/RW

23G, 34A, 57P, 40GP (Sweden J20) – 6-2, 190lbs

Sportsnet and DailyFaceoff both had Wozniak in their top 20 in their 2025 rankings this time last year. Vegas took a player who had fallen down the boards throughout his draft year with their first pick, and they had every reason to catch the falling star. He posted 1.39 points per game in his D-1 year in the J20 league, and only improved to 1.43 the following year. Still, Wozniak asserted himself in the J20 league in Sweden, scoring over half a goal per game and nearly an assist per game.

His length gives him an advantage that he exploits for offense, using it to take deceptive shots in stride or maintain possession. What separates Wozniak’s shot from the rest is his consistent ability to get it off in traffic, in stride — even bouncers look easily corralled into a scoring chance. It is an elite shot among his peers, already one of the strongest shots in his class — and if he can add a bit more strength to his frame, it could reach the next level.

Without the puck, Wozniak never looks lost. He is in position to support the play, facilitate, or insulate the defense. While he is not the most physical player, he does not shy away from contact — often inviting players to take the body on him in order to advance the play. His defensive engagement has steadily improved over the year, catching up to his defensive awareness.

Wozniak’s short 13-game stint in the SHL showed a few question marks in his game. Namely, his skating was at least two steps behind the pro competition. He lost more battles than he won. The typical trademark of his game — consistent awareness — was rarely present. Next year, Wozniak is expected to play in Sweden’s pro leagues, and the Knights hope to see him take a step forward in order to realize his ceiling as a top-six impact forward.

Round 3, 85 overall: Mateo Norbert, C

28G, 39A, 67P, 57GP (QMJHL) – 6-0, 168lbs

This pick might get overlooked, but Norbert is a sneaky good selection this late. His 1.18 points per game was 23rd in the QMJHL. Norbert’s scoring rate was not far off of both first-round picks Carbonneau’s 1.44 (19th) and Zonnon’s 1.3 points per game (22nd), while being nearly one full year younger.

His 6-0 frame is packed with skill, creativity, and vision. Norbert is constantly pushing the pace — whether it is in transition or the offensive zone. He seems to be one step ahead of the puck, anticipating the play and creating scoring chances before defence can catch on. If his game translates to the NHL, it will be centred around play driving and an ability to create space for himself and his teammates.

Norbert’s shot is not a weakness, but it is not a strength either. He has an accurate wrister that he can get off in a hurry, but his overall shot lacks power. That is a common thread in which Norbert’s traits begin to underwhelm. Clocking in at 168lbs, Norbert will need to put on significant muscle in order to improve his speed, his play through traffic, and puck retrievals along the boards. If the Vegas Golden Knights can steer him the right way, he projects as a middle-six forward in the NHL.

Round 6, 186 overall: Alexander Weiermair, C/RW (D+2)

21G, 25A, 46P, 41GP (WHL) – 6-1, 207lbs

Late in the draft, McCrimmon opted for insurance in the form of low-ceiling players that provide a solid floor. Weiermair was 20 when he was selected by the Golden Knights and barely broke a point per game in the WHL. What he does provide is responsible defensive play and smart bottom-six habits.

His rebound from two points in nine NCAA games to 46 in 41 WHL games was an impressive transition to make in-season. There is a hint of offensive upside. If he can develop that upwards trajectory, he might stick around in the AHL long enough to push for an NHL job.

Round 7, 193 overall: Gustav Sjöqvist, D (D+1)

11G, 7A, 18P, 31GP (Sweden J20) – 6-3, 207lbs

3G, 4A, 7P, 39GP (Allsvenskan)

Sjöqvist split his season between the Allsvenskan — Sweden’s second pro league — and the J20. In both leagues he was known as a defensive specialist. He uses his 6-3, heavy frame to separate forwards from the puck without a fuss. Sjöqvist’s reach coupled with his defensive IQ lets him quickly hit the opposition with a stick lift or a poke.

While he was a re-entry in the 2025 draft, he potted 11 goals in just 31 games — the highest total in Sweden’s J20 among defensemen. He is not going to be fantasy relevant, but he should end up suiting up in the NHL after some seasoning and simmering in Sweden’s pro ranks.

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Off-Season Moves

Incoming

• Mitch Marner — Added from Toronto for Nicolas Roy. Signed 8 x $12M.
  
• Jeremy Lauzon — Added from Nashville for Nicolas Hague and conditional 2027 3rd.
  
• Colton Sissons — 50% retained by Nashville in Hague trade.
  

Outgoing

• Nicolas Roy — Shipped to Toronto in Marner trade.
  
• Nicolas Hague — Sent to Nashville
  
• Victor Olofsson — Signed with Colorado for $1.575M.
  
• Ilya Samsonov — Remains a UFA.
  

Re-Signings

• Adin Hill — 6 x $6.25M
  
• Kaedan Korczak — 4 x $3.25M
  
• Keegan Kolesar — 3 x $2.5M
  
• Reilly Smith — 1-year, $2M with NTC
  
• Jonas Rondbjerg — re-signed 1-year, two-way
  
• Cole Schwindt — re-signed 1-year
  
• Lukas Cormier — re-signed 1-year, two-way
  

Entry-Level Signings

• Trevor Connelly — signed 3-year ELC (2024 1st rounder)
  
• Jackson Hallum — 23, signed 2-year ELC
  

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In The System

Risers

Trevor Connelly — His NCAA season was shortened by an early injury. Coming back from that injury and making a seamless transition to pro hockey shows how tenacious and adaptable this forward is.

Tuomas Uronen — In his first OHL season, Uronen did not even crack six points in 11 games. In Uronen’s second OHL season, he scored 90 points in 63 games.

Arttu Karki — 14 points in 43 Liiga games. Immediately acclimated to the pro game in Europe after a season-long stint in the OHL.

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Fallers

Ivan Morozov — Stellar years back to back in the KHL, but a return to North America is not imminent. Likely hinges on an NHL contract from Vegas.

Lukas Cormier — Great 19 games when healthy, but missing nearly a year of development had him slide down the chart.

Brendan Brisson — An example of one of Vegas’ recent top prospects failing to take meaningful steps in development and getting moved. A sign of what could come for future prospects that stagnate but carry value (Cormier).

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Likely to See NHL Action

Jackson Hallum, 23, F – 6-0

8G 9A 17GP (NCAA)

His numbers are not dazzling, but his speed is. Hallum brings intangible ankle-breaking speed to the table and pairs it with a smart and patient offensive game. He puts himself in the right spot and can break through defensive lines. If Hallum steps up to the AHL competition, expect a call-up that would inject speed into Vegas’ bottom-six.

Lukas Cormier, 23, D – 5-10

0G 9A 19GP (AHL)

Although Cormier missed most of the AHL year, he once again posted over 0.5PPG in the league. He has proven that he can hold down a top pairing role on an AHL team, but can he stick with the big club? That is what he and McCrimmon both need to answer this year. Cormier only has two NHL games under his belt. That is not enough for such a highly-touted defensive prospect.

Trevor Connelly, 19, F – 6-1

13P 23GP (NCAA) / 4P 6GP (AHL)

Some players just need a more competitive environment to bring out their best game. That might be the category Connelly falls into. He had a stellar draft year in the USHL, but underwhelmed as a freshman in college. Once he finished his season, he joined the AHL team and put up four points in six games. Vegas is going to want to see what they have in Connelly, and he should get a stint under 25 games this season. The better he does in the AHL, the sooner he gets the call.

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Top 20 Prospects

This section is intended to paint a picture of the Vegas Golden Knights prospects whose current trajectory projects them making the most positive fantasy impact at the time that they reach the NHL. Arrival date and NHL certainty have been taken into consideration; however, potential upside is the most important factor in determining this list.

1. Trevor Connelly, F
2. Jakob Ihs Wozniak, F
3. Mathieu Cataford, F
4. Lukas Cormier, D
5. Pavel Moysevich, G
6. Tuomas Uronen, F
7. Arttu Karki, D
8. Carl Lindbom, G
9. Mateo Norbert, F
10. Ivan Morozov, F
11. Matyas Sapovaliv, F
12. Jackson Hallum, F
13. Jakub Demek, F
14. Braeden Bowman, F
15. Villiam Kmec, D
16. Kai Uchacz, F
17. Jordan Gustafson, F
18. Gustav Sjöqvist
19. Trent Swick, F
20. Alex Weiermair, F

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Final Thoughts

The Vegas Golden Knights are extremely well positioned to make a deep playoff run. Between Dorofeyev, Eichel, and Marner, who scored the most goals? The answer — Dorofeyev, with 35. If there was any thought that Dorofeyev would take a step back next season, that can surely be put to bed after Marner’s arrival. If the chemistry between those three players gels, then the Knights could see improvements from each one. Dorofeyev would summit his 17 assists, and Marner and Eichel would eclipse 30 goals — maybe even make Dorofeyev a 40-goal man. Speaking of, McCrimmon would be wise to extend him early.

The addition of Colton Sissons at roughly $1.4M after retention boosts the depth of their bottom-six at an extremely low cost. That bottom-six in Vegas almost looks as dangerous as the top-six. Brett Howden is penciled in on the fourth line — he could be a middle-six staple on numerous teams. Projected above is a toolsy third line of Brandon Saad, William Karlsson, and Reilly Smith. The only question in these two lines is where right-winger Cole Schwindt will find himself.

After losing Samsonov, McCrimmon has left the job open for Akira Schmid to grab. Schmid’s NHL experience spans 48 games, only winning 16 of them. It is an area of weakness for Vegas, and it will be exploited if they do not patch it up sooner rather than later. That, and improving on the depth to account for injuries without LTIR relief, are McCrimmon’s most critical tasks remaining.

The team will have to find a way to move over $7.64M in cap before the playoffs. It likely means (if he never plays again) that Pietrangelo’s contract will be moved sooner than later, but if Pietrangelo plans to come back then the Golden Knights will have to get creative.

It will not take a miracle to put this team over the top — just more finesse than breaking the wall down. The focus on drafting for upside and balancing that with high-floor bets is a positive trend in Vegas. If the organization can keep taking bold swings to improve their NHL team, while paying more attention to their prospect pipeline, they will keep contending for a Cup.

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Be sure to check out the Vegas Golden Knights team page here: https://dobberprospects.com/team/vegas-golden-knights/

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Thanks for reading this edition of 32-in-32 at Dobber Prospects! It was a pleasure to update you on the Vegas Golden Knights. I’m Arden — a Vancouver-based Online Journalism and Broadcasting student with a passion for community storytelling, hockey, and photography. Find my work below.

https://linktr.ee/ardenmcleod
Twitter: @HockeyArden