NHL Draft Rankings: Top 5 Prospects in the Pacific Division

Cody Glass

Drafted – 2017, 6th Overall, Vegas Golden Knights

Position – C

Attributes – R, 6’2, 185

The first ever selection in Golden Knight’s franchise history at 6th overall in the 2017 NHL Draft, Cody Glass appears ready to finally make his presence known at the pro level.

A 5 tool skater capable of playing in all situations. Glass uses his exceptional vision and brilliant edge work to navigate to the open areas of the ice where he’s able to filter the puck into dangerous net front areas. Not only is he a world-class playmaker, The 20-year-old is also equipped with a deceptively lethal shot that can fool any potential blocker and netminder looking to get in front of the puck.

Glass has blown the lid off just about every league he’s competed in, including last year for the Knights AHL affiliate during the Calder Cup Playoffs where he tied for the most points scored by a Chicago Wolves skater with 15.

Prior to this the centerman averaged 1.68 PPG  in his previous two seasons playing in the WHL for the Portland Winterhawks. Getting trusted to play in every crucial situation for Coach Mike Johnston while also playing riding alongside Sharks prospect Joachim Blichfeld.

It’s looking more and more likely that Glass will be making his way onto Vegas’ depth chart next season. He’s going to relied on to help supplement a bottom six portion of their roster that is lacking high-caliber scoring talent. Don’t be surprised if we hear his name in the Calder Trophy discussions in the next coming season, as well as Hughes who was mentioned previously.

It’s not really all that surprising seeing the teams on this list having so many star level prospects within their farm system considering where these teams have selected in the NHL Draft in recent years.

Regardless it’s good to have this level of talent out on the West Coast and gives the mainstream hockey media absolutely no excuse not to tune into these often late night games. Perhaps the more attention turned out west the more convinced the NHL can be that Pacific Division teams are wroth slotting into the national spotlight.