Tag: Raphael Lavoie

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

The Golden Knights’ lineup has been fairly set since the moment Training Camp opened. Bruce Cassidy and his staff revealed early that they are going to put Mitch Marner on the top line with Jack Eichel, then match Mark Stone with Reilly Smith and William Karlsson. That left a line they used down the stretch last year of Tomas Hertl, Brandon Saad, and Pavel Dorofeyev as the third line and the remaining trio of Colton Sissons, Brett Howden, and Keegan Kolesar as the fourth.

The only way it would be in need of a change would be due to an injury. Unfortunately for the Golden Knights, it appears that may be necessary after Pavel Dorofeyev suffered a muscle strain.

Dorofeyev played in VGK’s 2nd preseason game at home against the Los Angeles Kings. He played just four shifts before leaving the game in the 1st period. He has not practiced since, and yesterday Cassidy dropped a hint that indicates they may be without him on Opening Night.

Is Pavel going to get in? If not, who goes in his spot, so then we may shuffle (the lines) around. A couple people may move around, but no big changes. -Cassidy

Of course, there’s nothing even close to concrete in that statement from Cassidy, but bringing up the possibility definitely means there’s at least some concern the issue could linger to and through October 8th, VGK’s opener.

So, where would the Golden Knights turn if Dorofeyev cannot take his spot on the third line right wing?

It may seem a bit odd, considering the player does not even have an NHL contract at this point, but the leader to take the job is Alex Holtz. Holtz has been used in three of the four preseason games and wore an “A” in the most recent one.

He’s currently in camp on a PTO but all signs have pointed towards him being a part of this team going forward. With Alex Pietrangelo hitting LTIR for the entire season, it’s certainly possible the Golden Knights will utilize Holtz’s pending contract as a way to maximize their salary cap pool by signing him to an extremely specific contract, similar to when Nic Hague signed for $2,294,150 right before the season in 2022. That contract got the Golden Knights to within $17 of the salary cap, Holtz could certainly sign something similar next week.

However, Cassidy does have other options.

Depth Beyond The Starting Lineup

By Ken Boehlke

On July 26, 2025

In Team Ops

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

Any preview of the upcoming season for the Golden Knights will include the new-look forward lines and reworked defense without Alex Pietrangelo. But every Golden Knights fan knows it’ll take more than the first 12 forwards and six defensemen for this year’s team to have success.

Here’s how we expect the Golden Knights to roll out their starting lineup for Opening Night, assuming everyone currently on the roster is available to play.

Barbashev-Eichel-Marner
Smith-Karlsson-Stone
Saad-Hertl-Dorofeyev
Howden-Sissons-Kolesar

McNabb-Theodore
Hanifin-Whitecloud
Lauzon-Korczak

There will be injuries over the course of the season, and these are the players who will be asked to step in and step up.

Forwards

Cole Schwindt
Schwindt was acquired on waivers on October 8th last year from Calgary and he remained on the NHL roster for the entire rest of the season. He appeared in 42 games, mostly as a 4th line center, and scored eight points, including one empty-net goal. Schwindt’s game is far from flashy, but he’s trustworthy, especially in a defensive role. With Colton Sissons likely claiming the 4th line center role this season, Schwindt will likely be the first center called to action if one goes down. It’s unlikely he’ll ever become a true impact top-six player, but a guy like Schwindt is perfect to plug in and allow a guy like Brett Howden to be elevated up the lineup.

Tanner Laczynski
One of the standouts of Training Camp last season, the Illinois native has a bit more of a scoring touch than he’s shown in the NHL to this point in his career. He has just three goals in 46 games and just one in his eight-game stint with VGK, but he has scored plenty in the AHL. He was never really given a chance to play an elevated role in the Vegas lineup due to injuries he suffered early in the season. If he gets the chance, especially if it’s alongside a player like Mitch Marner or Mark Stone, it wouldn’t be surprising at all to see him flash.

More On Waiver Claims Raphael Lavoie And Cole Schwindt

By Ken Boehlke

On October 8, 2024

In Personnel

(Photo Credit: @CompleteHkyNews on Twitter/X)

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.

Praise Be To Foley, Vegas Golden Knights Hockey Website

Tag: Raphael Lavoie

Where Will VGK Turn If Pavel Dorofeyev Isn’t Ready For Opening Night?

Depth Beyond The Starting Lineup

More On Waiver Claims Raphael Lavoie And Cole Schwindt