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Update (10/8/24 11:08 AM) – VGK has placed Raphael Lavoie on waivers.

The Golden Knights did some business on the waiver wire on the final day of training camp before submitting their Opening Night roster. Vegas placed Jonas Rondbjerg, Tanner Laczynski and Zach Aston-Reese on waivers as part of the latest group of camp cuts in hopes that all three would make the cut. Aston-Reese was claimed by the Columbus Blue Jackets, while Rondbjerg and Laczynski battled them to keep them in the VGK organization.

Vegas wasn’t done there though, as they claimed two forwards from the Pacific Division in former second-round pick Raphael Lavoie and former third-round pick Cole Schwindt. Normally, they must remain on the NHL roster for the remainder of the season, or the Golden Knights will have to return them to their original team.

Lavoie is the most highly touted of the two newest Golden Knights. He was projected as a late first-round pick in 2019, but ultimately fell to the early second spot, where he was selected 38th overall by the Edmonton Oilers. At 6 feet tall and weighing over 200 pounds, Lavoie’s physical stature is what stands out the most. But it’s his best offensive weapon that likely has the Golden Knights so intrigued.

He has a big shot and can score from almost anywhere in the offensive zone. It’s an NHL-caliber shot that’s accurate, has great speed, and gets off quickly. He has above-average vision and can create the ball for his teammates with some quality passes. He does a good job of using his large frame to protect the pucks along the boards and with his long reach it is difficult to take the puck away from him. He is also good with his stick. Often gets pucks along the boards with his long reach and fast stick. –2019 NHL Black Book

Like another addition to the Golden Knights, Alexander Holtz, Lavoie is dangerous when given the opportunity to score. However, like Holtz, there are some major question marks surrounding his play away from the puck, which have seemingly hindered Lavoie even more than Holtz so far in their career.

Lavoie is at his best when he is competing hard and involved in the play. Our biggest problem with him is that he is not always a hard worker and you don’t know what you are going to get out of him every match. He is not a physical player, he lacks a good level of competition and will not put many hits on the ice. To be at his best, he needs to be more involved in the game and his competitive level needs to be improved. –2019 NHL Black Book

Lavoie was in the AHL at the end of the 2020-21 season and has played there for the past three years. He scored 50 points in 66 games, including 28 goals last year with the Bakersfield Condors. Lavoie made his NHL debut last November during the Oilers’ rough start to the season.

Lavoie played each of his seven games in the NHL on the 4th line, but he was switched from wing to center when the Oilers made a coaching change. His minutes quickly decreased under each coach and he was sent back to the AHL after just a few weeks. He played in three preseason games this year and scored two goals. The second was a game-winning goal where he kept the puck away from two Kraken forwards who controlled the stick and then sliced ​​it up the middle for a cross-ice shot that beat Philipp Grubauer.

Schwindt is also a bigger player at 6-foot-4 and 183 pounds. He’s much more of a 4th line grinder than a highly skilled offensive weapon.

Due to his height, Cole is able to use his leverage when initiating contact and as a result he was a very effective board battler in our viewings. He’s not just a skilled forechecker off the puck, though. Schwindt has a good sense for finding soft ice outside the game and has demonstrated plus playmaking skills. This allowed him to be most effective when moving into heavy traffic while looking for soft ice in the slot – and around the goal line when identifying his passing options. His competition blends with his defensive acumen, showing great attention to detail away from the puck and a willingness to fight to support his defense on the ground. –2019 NHL Black Book

Scwhindt was part of the blockbuster trade that sent Matthew Tkachuk to the Panthers in exchange for Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar. Schwindt played in three NHL games for the Panthers in 2021-2022, then played two full years with Calgary’s AHL team and received two call-ups where he played four games with the Flames.

While Cole is an aggressive and competitive player who can make good decisions with the puck, he is not overly skilled. He is at his best when he hits a straight line and uses a streamlined approach such as chip and chase sequences where he can use his most effective attributes. There is a lack of overall creativity and he lacks a shot that can threaten from the hash marks on a consistent basis. –2019 NHL Black Book

Like Lavoie, Schwindt is yet to register a point in the NHL regular season, and his time on the ice has been limited during his most recent stint. He played exactly eight minutes or less in all four of his games and played more than ten shifts only once.

Schwindt played in four preseason games this year, appearing in all four games. He recorded one point, a secondary assist in a game against Connor Hellebyuck and the Winnipeg Jets, and averaged about 12 minutes per night. He struggled in the faceoff circle this preseason but was above average in his seven NHL games.

Expect Lavoie or Schwindt to be in the starting lineup for tomorrow night’s opener against the Colorado Avalanche.