Top prospects for Vegas Golden Knights

NHL.com is providing in-depth prospect analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 8-Sept. 8. Today, the top five prospects for the Vegas Golden Knights, according to NHL.com.

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1. Brendan Brisson, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 29 pick in 2020 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Michigan (NCAA): 38 GP, 21-21-42; Henderson (AHL): 7 GP, 3-5-8
Brisson (5-11, 179) had a busy season, playing for the University of Michigan, with the United States at the 2022 Beijing Olympics in February and with Henderson of the American Hockey League after signing a tryout agreement April 12. He later signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Golden Knights.
While Brisson has a nose for the net and can produce offensively, Vegas director of player development Wil Nichol said the 20-year-old has worked on his game to become a reliable, trustworthy player. Brisson has impressed the Golden Knights with his coachability, his release and his ability to think his way around the rink.
"He sees [the game], he thinks [the game] at an elite level," Nichol said. "He's got an elite NHL shot and the thing about Brendan is, there are almost no bad passes that come to him because he's almost always able to get around the puck and to get an extremely dangerous shot off. His release and his ability to think his way around the rink is exceptional."
Projected NHL arrival: This season

2. Kaedan Korczak, D

How acquired: Selected with No. 41 pick in 2019 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Vegas (NHL): 1 GP, 0-0-0; Henderson (AHL): 47 GP, 2-12-14
Korczak is coming off an impressive season when he finished fourth among Henderson defensemen in scoring. He made his NHL debut Feb. 1 against the Buffalo Sabres and blocked one shot and was a plus-1 in 16:37 of ice time.
"He's got all the physical and mental tools that you want in a defenseman," Nichol said. "He can really skate in all areas, and he can really pass the puck. He's long, he can defend, he understands the position very well. He's an intelligent player."
Korczak (6-3, 202) was at development camp in July and Nichol said he was in great shape and put on the right kind of weight. Like most young players, the 21-year-old needs to work on his consistency but could make a push for a spot with the Golden Knights at training camp.
Projected NHL arrival: This season

3. Pavel Dorofeyev, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 79 pick in 2019 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Vegas (NHL): 2 GP, 0-0-0; Henderson (AHL): 63 GP; 27-25-52
Dorofeyev led Henderson in goals (27), points (52) and points-per-game (0.83) last season, but it was how he went about it that impressed the Golden Knights.
"He did it the right way," Nichol said. "He wasn't just sitting in the slot waiting for things to happen. He was very much engaged in all three zones and became a much better 200-foot player."
Those are things that should help Dorofeyev (6-1, 167) make the jump to the NHL full-time. Last season, the 21-year-old from Russia made his NHL debut, playing two games. He had one shot on goal and averaged 6:30 of ice time.
"He's got the ability to finish. He doesn't chase the game," Nichol said. "… He's patient and he's got a lot of poise and he slips into those scoring seams."
Projected NHL arrival: This season

4. Lukas Cormier, D

How acquired: Selected with No. 68 pick in 2020 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Charlottetown (QMJHL): 62 GP, 33-48-81
Cormier (5-10, 180) led all Quebec Major Junior Hockey League defensemen in scoring last season, earning the league's Defenseman of the Year award for the second consecutive season.
"You better know where he's at on the ice at all times when you're the opposing team because he just sees offense so differently than most guys on the back end," Nichol said. "He's got a very good shot. He's got very good shot selection. … He's got a really good release on his shot. So, he's a threat."
One of Cormier's biggest strengths is serving as the quarterback on the power play. His 12 power-play goals last season led all defensemen, and he had 20 power-play assists. The 20-year-old had five points (one goal, four assists), including one power-play goal, in seven games for Canada, which finished first at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship. He is expected to play for Henderson this season.
Projected NHL arrival: 2024-25 season

5. Ivan Morozov, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 61 pick in 2018 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: St. Petersburg (KHL): 17 GP, 4-4-8; St. Petersburg (VHL): 15 GP, 4-15-19; Sochi (KHL): 5 GP, 1-2-3; Henderson (AHL): 1 GP, 0-0-0
After beginning his professional career in Russia, the 22-year-old signed a tryout agreement with Henderson on April 26 and played one regular-season game and two Calder Cup Playoff games (one assist). Morozov then signed a two-year, entry-level contract with Vegas.
A right-handed center, Morozov (6-1, 178) had 49 points (23 goals, 26 assists) in 105 Kontintental Hockey League games. His challenege will be getting used to playing on the smaller rinks in North America
Projected NHL arrival: 2024-25