More on Raphael Lavoie and Cole Schwindt's waiver claims

(Image credit: @CompleteHkyNews on Twitter/X)

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

The Golden Knights did some waiver clearing 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 final group of camp cuts, hoping all three would make it. Aston-Reese was claimed by the Columbus Blue Jackets, while Rondbjerg and Laczynski ensured they remained in the VGK organization.

Vegas wasn't done there, they picked up two forwards from the Pacific Division, former second-round pick Raphael Lavoie and former third-round pick Cole Schwindt. According to the rule, they must remain on the NHL roster for the rest of the season, otherwise the Golden Knights must offer them back to their original team.

Lavoie is the most highly touted of the two newest Golden Knights. He was projected to be a late first-round pick in 2019, but slipped to the early second spot, where he was selected 38th overall by the Edmonton Oilers. With a height of 1.80 meters and a weight of over 90 kilograms, Lavoie is particularly noticeable because of his physical stature. But it's his best offensive weapon that likely intrigues the Golden Knights.

He has a great shot and can score from almost anywhere in the offensive zone. It's an NHL-caliber shot that's accurate, has high velocity, and fires quickly. He has above-average vision and can make some high-quality passes for his teammates. He does a good job of protecting pucks along the boards with his tall frame, and his long reach makes it difficult to take the puck away from him. He is also good with his stick. With his long reach and fast stick, he often gets pucks over the boards. –2019 NHL Black Book

Like another Golden Knights addition, Alexander Holtz, Lavoie is dangerous when the opportunity to score arises. However, like Holtz, there are some big question marks surrounding his play away from the puck that seem to have hindered Lavoie even more than Holtz had to this point in her career.

Lavoie is at his best when he is competing hard and involved in the game. Our biggest problem with him is that he's not always a hard worker and you don't know what to expect from him every game. He's not a physical player, he lacks a good level of competition, and he doesn't throw many shots on the ice. To perform at his best, he needs to be more involved in the game and his level of competition needs to improve. –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. With the Bakersfield Condors last year, he scored 50 points in 66 games, including 28 goals. Lavoie made his NHL debut in November of last season during the Oilers' difficult start to the season.

Lavoie played each of his seven NHL games on the 4th line, but was moved 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 kept the puck away from two Kraken forwards with stick control and then shot it up the middle to beat Philipp Grubauer.

Schwindt is also a larger player at 6-foot-3 and 183 pounds. He's more of a 4th line type grinder than a highly skilled offensive weapon.

Due to his size, Cole is able to use his leverage when making contact and therefore proved to be a very effective board fighter in our viewings. However, he is not just a capable provider away from the puck. Schwindt has a good instinct for finding soft ice off the field and has demonstrated outstanding playmaking ability. This allowed him to be most effective when driving into heavy traffic while simultaneously looking for soft ice in the gap – and at the goal line when identifying his passing options. His fighting spirit is matched by his defensive acumen, showing great attention to detail away from the puck and a willingness to fight to support his defense in depth. –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, then played two full years with Calgary's AHL team and received two call-ups in which he played four games for the Flames.

Although Cole is an aggressive and competitive player who can make good decisions with the puck, he is not particularly skilled. He is at his best when striking a straight line and using a streamlined approach, such as: E.g. chip and chase sequences where he can use his most effective characteristics. He lacks overall creativity and lacks a shot that can consistently threaten from the get-go. –2019 NHL Black Book

Like Lavoie, Schwindt has yet to score a point in the NHL regular season and his ice time was limited in his final stint. He played exactly eight minutes or less in all four games and only made more than ten substitutions once.

Schwindt played in four preseason games this year and played center in all four games. He recorded a point, a second assist in a game against Connor Hellebyuck and the Winnipeg Jets, and averaged about 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's opener against the Colorado Avalanche.