Vegas Golden Knights: 5 players to watch this season

3. Nate Schmidt

Another product of the Washington Capitals’ organization, Schmidt is an undrafted blueliner who is ready to take on a top-four role in Vegas. The 26-year-old, who was a fan-favorite in Washington, is known for not only his lovable off-ice personality but his on-ice ability and upside.

Through 60 games this past season, Schmidt posted three goals and 17 points and was an outstanding plus-22. With his skill-set, as well as his promise and potential on the backend, Schmidt is one of the top defensemen to watch for the Golden Knights this coming season.

First off, Schmidt plays a sound defensive game. The 6-foot-1, 194-pound blueliner could stand to use his size to his advantage and isn’t the most physical player on the ice. However, he takes great care of the puck and can block shots, and he can adapt to any role on the ice. Not to mention, Schmidt can log top-four minutes, and doesn’t turn the puck over often.

Perhaps his biggest asset comes in his puck-moving ability. He has yet to truly break out with impressive point totals, but Schmidt has started to come out of his shell and creates many scoring chances while on the ice.

He can start the play from his own zone and knows how to effectively get the puck up the ice and when to jump up on the rush. Schmidt is also a remarkable passer who will do whatever he can to get the puck to the right player. Still, he has to work on putting more power behind his shot, and shouldn’t be afraid to rip the puck from the point.

Coming into Vegas, Schmidt will certainly flourish into an impressive top-four blueliner, and could be a power-play quarterback sooner rather than later.