The Golden Knights can't overlook Conrad Fondrk in the NHL Draft

Let's be completely honest. The Vegas Golden Knights are lacking forward depth in their prospect pool. They might have noteworthy names such as Trevor Connelly and Mathieu Cataford. Maybe Tuomas Uronen if he pans out. But that's about it.

Of course, that doesn't surprise Golden Knights fans one bit. When you're in "win-now" mode like Kelly McCrimmon, you're looking for players who can get you that Stanley Cup immediately. That means first-round forwards (and others) must go.

Sorry, Zach Dean. Sorry, Brendan Brisson. You guys should've known what was coming.

But there's a new kid on the block who could be of some assistance. His name? Conrad Fondrk. The center has plenty that he could bring to the Golden Knights, specifically from a scoring standpoint.

First, the 18-year-old has a history of lighting up the scoreboard. In 2021-22, he scored 58 goals and 50 assists with Mount St. Charles Academy (14U AAA), averaging a goal per game. He followed that up with a 105-point performance (63 goals and 42 assists) in the 15U AAA league. That led to an opportunity with the U.S. National U17 team, where he scored 20 goals and 25 assists in 54 games.

So what makes Conrad Fondrk stand out for the Golden Knights?

Remember when I talked about the "Misfit Mentality?" It was all about having a two-way game as a forward (or defenseman), being able to skate to all 200 feet of the ice. That's exactly what Fondrk would bring to the Golden Knights.

He forechecks well and has the necessary defensive awareness to contribute. But he's also strong physically and positionally. According to Neutral Zone, he wins 47% of his puck battles and has 3.1 takeaways per game, making him a physical competitor.

However, part of that game involves a delicate puck touch that can be trusted anywhere. The Boston University commit completes his passes and executes on both ends, making him a viable threat in any offensive situation.

Add a heavy release that comes quickly and you have a problematic player. Golden Knights fans saw what an excellent release can do for a forward by looking at Pavel Dorofeyev. The Russian winger's 35 goals weren't by a mere fluke, you know.

What Fondrk must improve to make it into the NHL

Sometimes, Fondrk can be completely inconsistent as a scorer. The St. Paul native tends to run into problems of his own doing, including turnovers and skating issues. His inability to separate from defenders is a cause for concern, specifically if he wants to be an integral part of a team.

He might not be an ideal fit for the Golden Knights based on his shooting habits. He's not known for being the most accurate, where only 2.2 of his 3.5 shot attempts per game connected this past season. Bruce Cassidy made it clear that Vegas is moving towards a more shooter-friendly style, meaning Fondrk could be obsolete.

There also isn't anything that sticks out with the 18-year-old. Is he skilled as a speedy, offensive player? Can he take on a higher shot volume with Vegas? Can he make plays when called upon? He's in "no man's land" until he finds a defined role on the ice.

Still, he has plenty of time to figure things out. The good thing about being a prospect is you're still finding your groove as a player. Who knows? He might become the next breakout star for Vegas, akin to Dorofeyev and Brett Howden.