Keegan Kolesar

November 2021- In year two at the NHL level, the physical, no-nonsense Kolesar has demonstrated an improved and increasingly assertive offensive touch this season. While this hasn’t generated overwhelming scoring results, with just two assists and zero goals on 18 shots over Vegas’ first 11 games, he leads the Knights with 41 hits (tied for eighth in the league), chipping in seven blocks and ten PIM. Kevin Wickersham

March 2020 – Kolesar plays big, and brings ill intentions on to the ice. He is 22 and was drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the third round of the 2015 draft. He plays a simple, honest game. He is not winning any skill competitions but he is an effective player. His physical play creates space for himself and his linemates but he does so within the rules. Kolesar is strong in puck battles along the boards, responsible defensively, plays the power play and penalty kill, and has a decent set of hands as evident by his 20 goals last year. There is still a need for physicality in the NHL, but Kolesar brings more than that element to the game. Danny McGillicuddy

June 2019 – Kolesar finished his second full professional league playing the entire season with the Chicago Wolves. He has progressed into a reliable power forward that is more apt to end up on the scoresheet in the PIMs column than the goals or assists. He finished the regular season at just under half a point per game, and carried that production into the playoffs in a third-line role. His 11 points in 21 AHL playoff games helped the Wolves make it all the way to the final before being eliminated by the Calder Cup champion Charlotte Checkers. Mason Black

February 2018 – Keegan Kolesar has bounced between the ECHL and AHL in his first professional season. Although he has posted respectable numbers in the lower of the two leagues posting -16 points in 20 games while playing for the Quad City Mallards – the numbers haven’t translated to the AHL. For the Chicago Wolves he’s only been able to post one assist in 19 games played. The transition to the pros can generally be difficult for rookies, but the lack of production from Kolesar this season should be seen as a red flag. Even in the deepest dynasty leagues other options should be pursued. Mason Black

October 2017 – Unable to secure an NHL roster spot on the Golden Knights, Kolesar didn’t even stick in the AHL. Kolesar was sent down to the ECHL Quad City Mallards to begin the 2017-18 season. In his first two games with the Mallards, Keegan has put up a goal and two assists in two games played. With all the injuries to the Golden Knights rosters and call-ups from the AHL. Kolesar should be moved up to the AHL Wolves for the short term. Kolesar’s value has got to be at the lowest of his short career, if you still believe, maybe reach out in deep leageus to get him. Avoid him in any non-prospect roster leagues. Paul Zwambag

July 2017 – Kolesar helped Seattle make it to the Memorial Cup this past year. Kolesar led the WHL playoff scoring with 12 goals, 19 assists for 31 points in only 19 playoff games. The Thunderbirds were overmatched in the Memorial Cup and went home winless with 18 goals against and only three goals for, one of which was Kolesar scoring on Michael DiPietro using his great net front presence. Kolesar will battle for a bottom-six role in the fall at Vegas’s first training camp ever. Keegan Kolesar is a great two-way forward who uses his large 220-pound frame in the corners and also in front of the net, he has an excellent shot, he has a shoot first mentality, but can also set up some pretty nice scoring chanes for his linemates. Drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2015, Kolesar was traded June 2017 to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for the 45th overall 2017 Draft Pick (Round 2) . Keegan is graduating to the professional level and will most likely start his 2017-18 campaign in the AHL. He will be one of the first call-ups for the Golden Knights to fill a bottom-six roster spot when an injury occurs.  Paul Zwambag