More On Waiver Claims Raphael Lavoie And Cole Schwindt

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

The Golden Knights did some wheeling and dealing on the waiver wire on the final day of Training Camp before they were required to submit their roster for Opening Night. Vegas placed Jonas Rondbjerg, Tanner Laczynski, and Zach Aston-Reese on waivers as part of the final group of camp cuts hoping all three would make it through. Aston-Reese was claimed by the Columbus Blue Jackets while Rondbjerg and Laczynski cleared keeping them in the VGK organization.

Vegas wasn’t done there though, they claimed two forwards from the Pacific Division in former 2nd round pick Raphael Lavoie, and former 3rd round pick Cole Schwindt. By rule, they’ll be required to remain on the NHL roster for the remainder of the season, otherwise, the Golden Knights will have to offer them back to their original team.

Lavoie is the higher-touted of the two newest Golden Knights. He was projected as a late first-round pick in 2019 but ended up slipping to the early 2nd where he was selected 38th overall by the Edmonton Oilers. Standing at 6’4” 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-time shot and can score from almost anywhere in the offensive zone. It’s an NHL-caliber shot which is accurate, has great velocity and he’s quick to get it off. He’s got above-average vision, can make plays for his teammates with some high-caliber passes. He does good work using his big frame to protect pucks along the boards and with his long reach, it’s tough to take the puck away from him. He’s also good with his stick. Often will retrieve pucks along the boards with his long reach and quick stick. –2019 NHL Black Book

Like another addition to the Golden Knights, Alexander Holtz, Lavoie is dangerous when given an opportunity to score. Also like Holtz, there are some major question marks regarding his play away from the puck though, which have seemingly hindered Lavoie even more than they have Holtz to this point in their careers.

Lavoie is at his best when he competes hard and is involved in the play. Our biggest issue with him as he’s not a consistently hard worker and you don’t know what you’re going to get out of him each game. He’s not a physical player, he lacks a good compete level and won’t throw many hits on the ice. To be at his best, he needs to be more involved in the play and his compete level needs to be upgraded. –2019 NHL Black Book

Lavoie played in the AHL at the end of the 2020-21 season and has played there each of the last three years. He scored 50 points in 66 games including 28 goals last year with the Bakersfield Condors. Lavoie made his NHL debut in November of last season 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 minute load 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 in which he held the puck away from two stick-checking Kraken forwards, then cut it into the middle for a shot along the ice that beat Philipp Grubauer.

Schwindt is also a bigger player at 6’2” and 183 pounds. He’s much more of a 4th line-type grinder than a highly skilled offensive weapon.

Due to his height, Cole is capable of using his leverage when initiating contact and as a result was a very effective board battler in our viewings. He’s not just a capable forechecker off the puck though. Schwindt features a good sense for finding soft-ice away from the play and has shown plus playmaking ability. This allowed him to be at his most effective when either entering heavy traffic while looking to find soft-ice in the slot—and around the goal-line when he was identifying his passing options. His compete melds into his defensive acumen, where he’s shown a good attention to detail away from the puck and is willing to battle in order to support his defense down-low. –2019 NHL Black Book

Scwhindt was included in 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 2021-22, proceeded to play two full years with Calgary’s AHL team, and received two call-ups where he played four games with the Flames.

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

Like Lavoie, Schwindt has yet to record a point in the NHL regular season, and his time on ice was limited in his most recent stint. He played exactly eight minutes or less in all four of his games receiving more than 10 shifts just once.

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

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