Golden Knights Make Waves in 2026 NHL Draft with Strategic Selections

The Vegas Golden Knights entered the 2026 NHL Entry Draft with low expectations, holding their earliest pick at 95th overall. Yet, as the saying goes, expect the unexpected when it comes to this franchise. By the time the San Jose Sharks made their second overall selection, the Golden Knights had already traded away two-time leading goalscorer Pavel Dorofeyev, signaling a bold shift in strategy for the draft ahead.

As the draft unfolded, the Golden Knights showcased their ambition by making five trades and securing seven selections, demonstrating a commitment to building a competitive roster. Their first notable move came at 26th overall, where they selected Finnish defenseman Juho Piiparinen from Tappara in Liiga. Standing 6’3” and weighing 203 lbs, Piiparinen is known for his smooth skating and offensive instincts, particularly with breakout passes.

“[Piiparinen is] a really good two-way defenseman,” said Raphaël Pouliot, the Golden Knights’ Director of Amateur Scouting. “He’s really good in transition; he’s a good skater. He can contribute in every aspect of the game, and I think he’s got lots of places to grow.” Piiparinen’s maturity shone through during his time at the World Junior Championship, where he began as a seventh defenseman for Finland and quickly became a key player.

Next, with the pick acquired in the Dorofeyev trade, the Golden Knights chose Benjamin Wilmott from the OHL Barrie Colts. The 6’1”, 190 lb forward is a versatile playmaker capable of playing both center and wing. “He was really good in the playoffs,” Pouliot noted, highlighting Wilmott’s resilience in a series comeback. He is set to play Division 1 hockey at Ohio State University next season.

At 95th overall, the Golden Knights picked defenseman Sean Burick out of the WHL Penticton Vees. Burick, an imposing 6’8” and 214 lbs, is recognized for his physical style of play. “He’s got a really big frame, but for his size, he can move pretty well,” Pouliot said. Burick will spend another year in the WHL before heading to the University of Denver in 2027.

In the fourth round, the Golden Knights traded up to grab forward Jonah Sivertson from the WHL Prince Albert Raiders. The 17-year-old sharpshooter stands at 6’3” and weighed in at 194 lbs, having scored 24 goals and 53 points last season. “He’s got lots of tools,” Pouliot remarked, emphasizing Sivertson’s hockey sense and adaptability as he progressed through the season.

The Golden Knights continued their draft strategy by selecting defenseman Will McLaughlin from the WHL Portland Winterhawks with the 159th pick. McLaughlin, 6’3” and 185 lbs, is a mobile two-way defenseman who contributed nine goals and 30 points last season. He is committed to playing D1 hockey at Colorado College next year.

With their second-to-last pick, the Golden Knights chose goaltender Matthew Minchak from the OHL Kingston Frontenacs at 191st overall. Minchak, standing 6’5” and weighing 194 lbs, had a solid season, posting a 12-12-3 record and a .910 save percentage. “He came in, he earned his ice, and was really solid, especially the first half of the season,” Pouliot praised, noting Minchak’s potential as he heads to Colgate University for the 2026-27 season.

Finally, the Golden Knights rounded out their draft by selecting forward Noel Pakarinen from Kiekko-Espoo in Liiga. At just 17, Pakarinen is already 6’2” and 198 lbs, known for his power-forward style and ability to impact the game at both ends. With 16 goals and 35 points across three teams, he will spend another year overseas before joining Michigan Tech for the 2027-28 season.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.