LAS VEGAS — It meant little to Trevor Connelly what spot he was chosen within the NHL Draft — first spherical or past — due to the regrettable determination he made within the past.
What in the end mattered to the 18-year-old is the work he put in by way of volunteer work and variety coaching to put him on a path ahead in hockey after being chosen nineteenth general by the draft host Vegas Golden Knights on Friday evening.
“I think I could go higher, if maybe some of the stuff didn’t happen. But, honestly, it’s the happiest that I could’ve been where I got selected,” mentioned Connelly, whose draft inventory dropped within the two years since he posted a picture Snapchat — earlier than unexpectedly eradicating it — displaying a buddy posing in entrance of a set of constructing blocks fashioned within the form of a swastika.
He was additionally accused of creating a racial slur throughout a recreation in 2021, although a suspension was lifted when an investigation was unable to corroborate what occurred. Connelly has apologized for posting the image, and disputed making the racial slur.
“I’ve made mistakes as a kid and I’m such a different person now,” mentioned Connelly, who’s from Tustin, California, and dedicated to attending Providence this 12 months. “I think what I’ve been put through these past couple of years are for a reason. I think that it’s all going to work out for the best for me and I’ll do anything for the organization, anything for the people and I’m super excited to get started.”
GM Kelly McCrimmon mentioned Vegas officers performed what he referred to as a “very extensive” background test on the participant, whereas additionally assembly with Connelly on the scouting mix in Buffalo, New York, after which once more this week.
“I think (he showed) some growth and some recognition of some areas where he had made mistakes and recognized that,” McCrimmon mentioned. “He was very candid, transparent, didn’t duck any of the questions that we asked of him.”
Not in query are the 6-foot, 156-pound ahead’s skills.
Connelly is coming off a season with the Tri-City Storm wherein he completed second within the USHL with 78 factors (31 targets, 47 assists) in 52 video games. He has additionally represented the U.S., most not too long ago profitable a silver medal on the 2024 Under-18 world championships.
Cap Unfriendly
Washington Capitals basic supervisor Brian MacLellan makes use of CapPleasant on a regular basis to search for wage data and different information across the NHL. Soon, he and members of the group would be the solely ones with entry after the Capitals purchased the web site this month.
Suffice it to say, his colleagues aren’t thrilled at having that instrument taken away from them.
“I don’t think anybody’s happy,” MacLellan mentioned on a video name with reporters Thursday. “The whole industry is not very happy about it.”
CapPleasant continues to be obtainable by way of the draft and begin of free company subsequent week earlier than the general public aspect of it goes darkish someday in July.
“Our biggest fear was it was going to go away and we weren’t going to be able to use it,” mentioned MacLellan, who added the entrance workplace appeared into making its personal website earlier than realizing it was too costly and time-consuming. “We can build off it. We have the people that created it, so we can build and we can hopefully become more efficient as an organization on salary cap decisions, CBA decisions and then use it on our analytics side, too: create a format that works for us that way.”
Firsts from Norway
Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, Detroit’s alternative at No. 15, made historical past as the primary participant from Norway drafted within the first spherical. Brandsegg-Nygard performed in Sweden final season, and his heard his identify referred to as on the draft by a Hall of Famer from that Scandinavian nation, Nicklas Lidstrom.
Stian Stolberg grew to become the second participant from Norway taken within the first spherical not lengthy after, when Anaheim traded up to choose him at No. 23. Goaltending coach Sudarshan “Sudsy” Maharaj, who not too long ago beat most cancers, introduced the Ducks’ choice.
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Crosby extension?
Sidney Crosby is a little bit over a 12 months from probably changing into a free agent. But the three-time Stanley Cup-winning Pittsburgh Penguins captain and his camp have mentioned an extension with basic supervisor Kyle Dubas, which couldn’t truly be signed till Monday, anyway.
“We’re talking,” Crosby mentioned Friday on a video name with reporters to talk about the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off. “There’s been a little bit of talk, I think with the draft and free agency and stuff like that. It’s something that I’ll keep between Kyle and I, but we’ve had some conversations and I’ll just kind of leave it at that. … We’ll see what happens.”
The Penguins, with Dubas in cost, stay in win-now mode. Center Evgeni Malkin is signed by way of 2026 and defenseman Kris Letang by way of ’28.
Crosby turns 37 earlier than subsequent season.