The Vegas Golden Knights added three players to the organization’s pipeline Saturday afternoon at the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
Goaltender Pavel Moysevich and forwards Trent Swick and Lucas Van Vliet joined forward Trevor Connelly, whom Vegas selected in the first round with the 19th overall pick, as the Golden Knights’ 2024 draft class.
General manager Kelly McCrimmon said Connolly, Swick and Van Vliet will be at development camp next week but that Moysevich will not be.
Vegas entered day two of the draft without a pick in rounds 2-5, but the Golden Knights executed a stunning trade, which landed them a third-round selection.
The deal involved sending Logan Thompson to the Washington Capitals in exchange for two third-round picks, including the No. 83 overall selection in this year’s draft (as well as Washington’s 2025 third). Vegas used the No. 83 pick to draft Moysevich.
The Golden Knights then acquired forward Alexander Holtz and goaltender Akira Schmid from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for forward Paul Cotter and Vegas’ 2025 third-round pick.
Vegas proceeded to draft forwards Swick (No. 180 overall) and Van Vliet (No. 197 overall) in the sixth and seventh rounds, respectively.
The Golden Knights completed their third and final transaction of the day by moving the second of their two seventh-round picks (No. 212 overall) to Washington in exchange for the Capitals’ 2025 sixth-round pick.
Here’s an overview of the Golden Knights’ three newest additions.
No. 83 — Pavel Moysevich, G, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)
After trading into the third round, the Golden Knights used the 83rd overall selection to draft Moysevich, a Belarusian netminder.
Moysevich put up solid numbers in a limited sample of games in the KHL this season.
In 13 appearances, he went 3-2-2 with a 1.25 goals-against average and .942 save percentage. He was 10-7-2 with a 2.31 GAA and .927 save percentage in 19 games in the VHL, Russia’s second-tier professional league.
Moysevich played one playoff game at the KHL level, and while it was a loss, he managed an impressive 1.21 GAA and .942 save percentage.
But in 10 playoff games at the MHL level, one tier below the VHL, Moysevich went 8-2-0 with a 1.93 GAA, .946 save percentage and one shutout as he helped SKA-1946 St. Petersburg win the MHL Championship.
Moysevich was named to Belarus’ international team but struggled in his one appearance, posting a 3.17 GAA and .866 save percentage.
Golden Knights assistant director of player personnel Bob Lowes said Vegas drafted the best player available with the pick. He said the Golden Knights liked Moysevich’s size, athleticism and the fact that he’s playing against men in the KHL.
The 6-foot-5, 187-pound netminder is an overager at 19 years old; he was ranked fourth by Central Scouting among European goalies (in what is widely considered a weak draft class for goalies) and is signed through 2026-27.
“There’s not a lot of younger goalies playing in that league, and he’s had good success,” Lowes said. “With the size, the success he’s had and just what we’ve seen from his projection, it’s kind of exciting.” Lowes added that you can never have too much depth at the goalie position.
“We feel confident we’ve drafted a goalie that has a chance in the league,” Lowes said.
Corey Pronman of The Athletic had this to say about Vegas’ newest prospect:
I was intrigued by him two seasons ago, but he didn’t get much playing time so it was hard to get a true read on him. This season, he played more and looks like a legit prospect. He’s not super athletic or twitchy, but he moves well enough for his size. He is a smart and competitive goalie who can make a lot of high-dificulty saves. He gets caught flat-footed at times due to the lack of high-end quickness, but I think the tools are good enough to potentially be a backup goalie in the NHL.
No. 180 — Trent Swick, LW, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
In the sixth round, Vegas selected Swick with pick No. 180. Swick was ranked 109th by Central Scouting among North American skaters.
The 6-foot-6, 214-pound left winger is another overager at 20 years old; this was his last year of draft eligibility.
When asked if he used that as a motivator, Swick replied, “Yeah, of course. I thought about it every day.”
After recording nine goals and 18 points in 33 games in 2022-23, Swick had a breakout campaign in his third season with the OHL Kitchener Rangers. He set career highs across the board and was nearly a point-per-game player, finishing the season with 25 goals and 37 assists for 62 points in 63 games.
He went on to record five goals in seven playoff games, which was the most of any player on the team.
Swick’s turnaround season earned him the Les Bradley Memorial Award as the Rangers’ most improved player.
Lowes said Swick needs to work on his skating, specifically his first three strides. “I think once he’s in motion, he has good linear speed, but a lot of players have to [work on their skating], especially the bigger players.”
But the Golden Knights are confident Swick is willing to put in the work to get better on and off the ice.
Lowes said the Golden Knights kept going to Kitchener to scout other players, but “Trent just kept coming to us. … As the year wore on, we just said, ‘you know, you can’t miss him.’ He’s 6-foot-6, played in all situations, had a very good year statistically.”
Lowes added that development often takes a little longer for bigger players.
“We decided it was a good place to take him and give him an opportunity to see what he can do.”
For Swick, it was special to be drafted by Vegas in Vegas. When the Golden Knights were making their selection and Swick heard “Kitchener Rangers,” he thought a teammate was being drafted. “When they said my name, I was just in shock,” he said. “I’m still shaking now.”
Elite Prospects says Swick to be a playmaker who “gets open inside space, scans non-stop, and quickly moves the puck to the open teammate. When necessary, he deceives opponents and pulls pucks into his feet before dishing to adjust to the lane.”
Interestingly, Corey Pronman of The Athletic says Swick “doesn’t make many plays.” Here’s Pronman’s full assessment:
Swick is a third-year draft-eligible forward who hasn’t put up huge numbers in the OHL. He took positive steps this season, though, and has an exciting athletic profile. He is nearly 6-foot-7, and his skating is quite good for a big man. His first step is a bit heavy, but he has speed for the NHL games. His puck play is just OK. He’s good around the net due to his frame, but he doesn’t make many plays. He’s a bit of a moonshot, but 6-foot-7 guys who can move are worth a gamble.
No. 197 — Lucas Van Vliet, C/RW, U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)
The Golden Knights used the first of their two seventh-round picks to select forward Van Vliet, who can play center or wing. Van Vliet was ranked 75th by Central Scouting among North American skaters.
The Livonia, Michigan native scored just 13 goals and 22 points in 53 games with the U.S. National U18 Team this season; in 19 games with the USNTDP Juniors, Van Vliet recorded four goals and four assists. He went pointless in seven games in the U18 World Championship.
The native of Livonia Michigan is committed to Michigan State (NCAA) for the 2024-25 season.
Elite Prospects describes Van Vliet as “dynamic. He has the weight shifts, crossover rushes, outside speed and ability to manipulate opponents and claim space. Primarily a shooter, he fires off the catch, inside sticks and under pressure, and has a knack for getting open as the short-side support just inside the slot.”
Corey Pronman of The Athletic believes Van Vliet has a chance to be a bottom-six player:
Van Vliet didn’t post great offensive numbers this season, but he is a good-sized forward who can play center or wing. He’s a good skater who plays fast. He has above-average hands and can pressure opponents with his speed, length and skill. I wouldn’t call him a natural offensive type, as he lacks true creativity and vision. He has a direct style of play that should translate into pro offense, though. He has a chance to be a bottom-six type if his offense translates.
(Photo: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports)