Being the 19th pick in the NHL Draft comes with its perks, including being named a top prospect in the Vegas Golden Knights farm system. According to Daily Faceoff, Trevor Connelly is the best farmhand on the Golden Knights team, beating out names like Carl Lindbom and Mathieu Cataford.
Remember that Lindbom has a GAA of 2.12 and a save percentage of .911 in 26 games with SHL club Farjestad BK. That was not the crowning glory of his 2022-23 season with Djurgardens IF in the Hockey Allsvenskan, where he had a goals-against average of 1.86, a catch rate of .930 and Seven Shutouts in 36 games. He was such an impressive figure that he was considered the sixth best candidate. Still, that wasn’t good enough for the top spot.
Also note that Cataford was the QJMHL MVP, winning the award with the Halifax Mooseheads. He scored 40 goals and 50 assists in 65 games, making him an unstoppable force on the amateur circuit. The QJMHL MVP finished fourth in the standings, which is better than sixth, but not enough for the top spot.
It’s ironic that someone who was a controversial figure because of a Snapchat story with hateful swastikas could be the best candidate. And yet here’s the thing: Connelly is the best farmhand the Golden Knights have. Fans know what he has to offer. They also know what his potential could be with the team, where he could dominate the league for years to come.
Carl Lindbom should not take this as a disparagement of his development. He has proven himself to be a useful goalie with his speed and situational awareness, whether at the World Junior Championship or in the SHL. He can show that he is a promising talent in North America by making a name for himself with the Henderson Silver Knights or the Tahoe Knight Monsters.
He is short for a goalie, however, at 6’0″, which could prove to be a disadvantage as he gets older and his speed decreases. But for a player like Connelly, he is the prototype of a hockey superstar on offense. One-on-one, he is an unequal opponent, recognizing the play before it develops and breaking through the defense with ease.
As for Mathieu Cataford, Connelly is bigger than the Canadian prospect. This allows the California native to use his body more rather than relying on pure speed and finesse. Therefore, it’s easier to see why he ranks at the top compared to Cataford. He is versatile in his offensive game, so he doesn’t have to just slip past defenders.
The roster of young players may look good today, but fans should see where these farmhands are in three years. Who knows? The Vegas Golden Knights may have traded another former first-round draft pick to get a big name (I know, I’m shocked). You never know with the Golden Knights, as they make trades at the most unpredictable times.
