Golden Knights secure depth forwards with trio of one-year deals
Lavoie, Rondbjerg and Schwindt return for 2025-26 season
The Vegas Golden Knights bolstered their forward depth Sunday, announcing one-year contract extensions for three players who contributed to the team’s efforts during the 2024-25 campaign. General Manager Kelly McCrimmon confirmed that forwards Raphael Lavoie, Jonas Rondbjerg, and Cole Schwindt have all agreed to terms for the upcoming season.
The signings represent a commitment to maintaining organizational depth while providing opportunities for young players to continue developing within the Golden Knights system.
Lavoie brings size and scoring touch
At 6-foot-4 and 214 pounds, Raphael Lavoie offers the Golden Knights a combination of size and offensive ability that proved valuable during his brief NHL stint last season. The 24-year-old from Chambly, Quebec, appeared in nine games with Vegas after being claimed off waivers from Edmonton in October.
While his NHL appearances were limited, Lavoie made his mark with the Henderson Silver Knights, leading the team with 17 goals in 42 AHL games. His performance in the minor leagues demonstrated the scoring ability that made him a second-round draft pick by Edmonton in 2019.
Before joining the Golden Knights organization, Lavoie spent parts of four seasons with the Bakersfield Condors, Edmonton’s AHL affiliate, where he established himself as a consistent goal scorer. He led the Condors in goals during consecutive seasons, netting 25 in 2022-23 and 28 the following year.
Rondbjerg continues international success
Jonas Rondbjerg brings veteran presence to the Golden Knights’ depth chart, having spent his entire NHL career with the organization since being drafted in the third round of the 2017 entry draft. The 26-year-old Danish forward has appeared in 76 NHL games over four seasons, all with Vegas, contributing 10 points during that span.
Last season, Rondbjerg split time between the NHL and AHL levels, appearing in 13 games with the Golden Knights while posting solid numbers with Henderson. In 56 AHL contests, he recorded 26 points on 11 goals and 15 assists, ranking among the Silver Knights’ top producers.
Rondbjerg’s impact extends beyond club hockey, as he represented Denmark at the 2025 IIHF World Championship in May and helped his country secure qualification for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. His international experience adds valuable depth to the Golden Knights’ system.
Schwindt establishes NHL presence
Cole Schwindt enjoyed a breakthrough 2024-25 season, appearing in a career-high 42 NHL games with the Golden Knights after being claimed off waivers from Calgary in October. The 24-year-old from Kitchener, Ontario, recorded eight points on one goal and seven assists during his first extended NHL opportunity.
Schwindt’s season included several memorable firsts, including his initial NHL point in his Vegas debut against St. Louis on October 11 and his first career goal on April 16 at Vancouver. He also made his playoff debut during the Golden Knights’ postseason run, appearing in Game 5 against Edmonton on May 14.
Originally drafted by Florida in the third round of the 2019 entry draft, Schwindt has appeared in 49 total NHL games between three organizations, with all eight of his career points coming as a member of the Golden Knights.
Building organizational depth
These signings reflect the Golden Knights’ commitment to maintaining competitive depth throughout their organization. All three players provide different elements that could prove valuable during the 2025-26 season, whether at the NHL level or with Henderson.
Lavoie’s goal-scoring ability and size make him an intriguing option for call-up situations, while Rondbjerg’s experience and two-way play provide reliable depth. Schwindt’s versatility and improving NHL experience position him as a potential regular contributor.
The one-year terms also allow the organization flexibility while giving each player the opportunity to continue developing and potentially earn longer-term commitments based on their performance.
Looking toward next season
With these signings complete, the Golden Knights continue building their roster for the upcoming campaign. The team’s ability to retain players who contributed during the previous season while maintaining salary cap flexibility demonstrates the organization’s strategic approach to roster construction.
As the Golden Knights prepare for their quest to return to championship contention, having reliable depth options like Lavoie, Rondbjerg, and Schwindt provides valuable insurance and competition throughout the lineup. Their continued development could prove crucial to the team’s success during the 2025-26 season.
Image Source: https://www.knightsonice.com/golden-knights-sign-schwindt-rondbjerg-lavoie/
Category: Sports
Subcategory: Local Teams
Date: 07/07/2025
