The Vegas Golden Knights have claimed Raphael Lavoie and Cole Schwindt off of waivers.
Lavoie was drafted in the second round of the 2019 NHL draft by the Edmonton Oilers. The 6’4, right winger has played in just seven NHL games since he was drafted but has been a solid AHL player. In 202 games he’s scored 71 goals and 131 points.
The 24-year-old featured in three pre-season games recording two goals and 16 shots on goal. Lavoie is still young and has a great offensive skillset. He knows how to use his size to protect the puck and he has a lethal and accurate shot.
Lavoie signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Oilers this past offseason and with a cap hit of $775,000, he is cheap to hold on the NHL roster but with both Lavoie and Schwindt on the roster, they are over the salary cap by $273,316 and over the 23-man roster limit.
Schwindt was also a former 2019 draft pick, selected in the third round by the Florida Panthers. The 23-year-old was involved in the the Matthew Tkachuk and Jonathan Huberdeau trade which saw him move to the Calgary Flames. He made his NHL debut with the Panthers during the 2021-22 season playing three games but he was unable to register a point. He also saw four games of NHL action last year with the Flames and still wasn’t able to record his first point.
He signed a one-year, two-way, $800,000 contract on Sep. 19 with the Flames and in his AHL career, he’s scored 48 goals and 110 points in 218 games. During the 2024 pre-season, the 6’2 winger notched one assist in three games.
What the Golden Knights elect to do with the right-handed wingers is unknown but both players could be key contributors to the Henderson Silver Knights and possible depth options when injuries arise.
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