Last year, the Vegas Golden Knights were eliminated in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs after winning the 2023 Stanley Cup in just their sixth season. After finishing the year with the fourth-best record in the Pacific Division, the Golden Knights lost a closely-contested seven-game series to the Dallas Stars.
As a result, general manager Kelly McCrimmon was tasked with bolstering the team’s roster for the season ahead. The team acquired netminder Akira Schmid and 22-year-old forward Alexander Holtz via trade. In addition, the team made some notable moves in free agency, signing several players to short-term deals.
At the same time, the team has some players in their prospect pool who are poised to develop into top-six forwards, and top-four defensemen in the years to come.
Top three Vegas Golden Knights prospects to keep an eye on during the 2024–25 season
#1. David Edstrom, C
Drafted 32nd overall in the 2023 NHL draft, David Edstrom has impressed scouts and analysts alike. After playing 44 games for Frolunda HC in the Swedish Hockey League, where he logged 19 points in 44 games, Edstrom played an instrumental role in leading Sweden to a second-place finish at the U18 World Championships.
This season, Edstrom will continue his development with Frolunda HC, so it may be another year before NHL fans see him in a Vegas Golden Knights uniform. Despite this, there are many reasons to be positive about his progress and future in the NHL.
#2: Trevor Connelly, LW
Trevor Connelly is without question a player Vegas Golden Knights fans should keep an eye on in the season ahead. The 18-year-old winger averaged 1.5 points per game last season with the Tri-City Storm of the US Hockey League. In addition, he also logged 10 points in five games at last year’s Gretzky Cup.
Although off-ice problems have followed him throughout his short career, this season is expected to be a big one for the young winger, who was selected 19th in the 2024 NHL draft. This year, he’s expected to play at Providence College; however, fans should keep an eye out for the budding young star.
#3. Lukas Cormier, D
Lukas Cormier made his NHL debut last season, skating in two games with the Vegas Golden Knights, where he logged one assist. Given that, it seems likely that he will wind up playing for the Golden Knights again this season; however, he will primarily play for the Henderson Silver Knights in the AHL.
Last season, while playing for the Silver Knights, Cormier logged 20 points in 58 games, following a 35-point season with the team the year before. Although he’s a bit undersized for a defenseman, his offensive skills set him apart from other defensemen.
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Edited by Krutik Jain
