Dom Lunardo | April 20th, 2020
If someone were to ask me seven to eight years ago if the National Hockey League would ever put a team in Vegas, I’d probably laugh. Low and behold the NHL now has a team in Las Vegas. In just three short seasons, the Golden Knights have taken the league by storm. As they say at T-Mobile Arena, home of the Knights…“Vegassss, itsss knighttt Timmeee”.
Viva Las Vegas!
It’s not just the song that has had the Sin City rocking since it came into the NHL three seasons ago. In their three seasons in the league (as an expansion team may I add), the Knights made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Final in year one and were bounced in the first round in shocking fashion last spring. This season, the Knights were well on their way to another spot at the dance sitting in first place in the Pacific Division before the NHL shut its door due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Vegas also has some good pieces in their youth ranks to further add to their on-ice product which has been exceptional over the past few years. Led by combative centerman Peyton Krebs, let’s take a deep dive into who the Golden Knights’ top-3 prospects are.
Number 3: Dylan Coghlan, Defenseman, Chicago Wolves (AHL)
Dylan Coghlan starts us off at number three on our list of top prospects for the Vegas Golden Knights. After narrowly missing out on a spot on the Knights opening day roster, Coghlan was assigned to their American Hockey League affiliate club, the Chicago Wolves for the 2019-20 season. That demotion definitely shouldn’t be viewed as such as it won’t be long before we see Coghlan in the NHL. His offensive instincts and ability to put points on the board from the blue-line are a real treat. The 21-year-old Duncan, British Columbia native has a good stick and makes excellent decisions in his own end. In 60 games this season, Coghlan logged 19+ minutes per night of ice time and tallied 11 goals and 24 points from the back end. Vegas have themselves a real stalwart on the blue-line in Dylan Coghlan.
Number 2: Jack Dugan, Right-Wing, Providence College (NCAA)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native, Jack Dugan is our runner-up at number two. Currently plying his trade at Providence College of the NCAA, Dugan has been turning heads with his strong, consistent play at the collegiate level. This year alone has seen Dugan’s stock rise tremendously with 10 goals, 42 assists for 52 points in just 34 games played. The 22-year-old is dominating and taking the NCAA by storm, which must have Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon salivating. Standing at 6’2, 185 pounds, Dugan is a big, powerful forward who loves to drive the net. Deemed a “late bloomer” by many pro scouts, Dugan has good hands and is aggressive on loose pucks. He’s going to look really good in the Knights’ top-9 in the next year or so, as one of their more coveted prospects.
Number 1: Peyton Krebs, Center/Left-Wing, Winnipeg Ice (WHL)
Coming in at number one is Peyton Krebs of the Winnipeg Ice. He is the undisputed top prospect in the system for the Vegas Golden Knights. A point-producing, offensive dynamo, Krebs is a smooth and agile skater who makes full use of his 5’11 frame.
Krebs is a sound defensive player and takes a lot of pride in his two-way game. He is also lethal in transition (moving from defense to offense) and can make something out of nothing in the offensive zone with elite hands and puck skills. Krebs has a firm understanding of the game as demonstrated in what he’s been able to accomplish for Winnipeg of the Western Hockey League (WHL). In just 38 games this season, Krebs scored 60 points, all while donning the “C” as team captain. The lights are always bright in Vegas. They will shine even brighter once Peyton Krebs makes the jump to the National Hockey League.
Honorable Mentions: LW Pavel Dorofeyev, LW Lucas Elvenes
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