Vegas Golden Knights Draft Picks Tracker: Grades and Analysis

The Vegas Golden Knights selected Juho Piiparinen at No. 29 in the 2026 NHL draft, a smooth-skating Finnish defender with a calm two-way game.

What happened in the draft?

The Golden Knights added several picks before the draft by sending leading scorer Pavel Dorofeyev to New York and then trading back twice in the first round.

They took Juho Piiparinen with the No. 29 pick, a solid two-way defenseman, and Jonah Sivertson in the fourth round, a strong shooter.

How do the picks fit into the farm system?

Piiparinen does a lot of things effectively, including skating and passing pucks up the ice well, while also being a solid defender who breaks up plays.

He's not overly physical, but he gives a solid effort and is often relied on by coaches.

What's next for the Golden Knights?

The Golden Knights are currently 4th in the Western Conference with a 39-26 record, on a W3 streak, after losing 0-3 to the Carolina Hurricanes on June 15, 2026.

Benjamin Wilmott and Sean Burick were also picked, with Wilmott being a good skater who competes hard and Burick being a giant defenseman with some tools.

The Golden Knights have work to do to improve on last year's roster, but the draft was a successful haul.

And with players like Piiparinen and Sivertson, the team's prospects are looking up.

But the offense will be a question at the next level for Piiparinen.

So the Golden Knights will need to work on developing their new prospects.

The team's standing is a result of their hard work and dedication.

With a solid draft, the Golden Knights are looking to make a push in the playoffs.

The players are eager to get back on the ice and start playing.

And with the new picks, the team's future is looking bright.

The Golden Knights are a team to watch in the upcoming season.