Golden Knights lose a valuable depth piece to the Florida Panthers

The Vegas Golden Knights lost a valuable depth piece to the Florida Panthers on Friday. His name is Cole Schwindt and he was an incredible piece to the Golden Knights' equation.

Last season, he played 42 games with Vegas, scoring a goal and seven assists. Schwindt was valuable for late-game situations, winning 50.5% of his faceoffs. The former Flames player added 17 blocked shots and 41 hits, bringing a much-needed two-way game to the fourth line.

It's a full-circle moment for the 24-year-old, who played three games with the Panthers in 2021-22. He didn't have any points, but contributed two blocked shots and five hits to Florida, making the most of his time.

Ironically, he was involved in the trade that fetch Matthew Tkachuk from the Calgary Flames. One might look at big names like Jonathan Huberdeau and remember such players. But what about the former Golden Knights star? Doesn't he get some love?

What Cole Schwindt meant to the Vegas Golden Knights

It's no secret that the Golden Knights have had injury problems in the past few years. No, they weren't as bad as the 49ers because Kelly McCrimmon doesn't hire his drinking buddies as strength and conditioning coaches. However, they still lost players like Mark Stone and Shea Theodore.

When you lose said players, that's where the depth pieces come in. If it was a defenseman, Ben Hutton would come into the fold. If it was a forward, Cole Schwindt was there.

As mentioned, Schwindt provided a two-way game that kept the bottom lines afloat. He would forecheck well, add a few hits, and complement the attack. On top of that, he was a community staple, participating in big events like the Battle 4 Vegas.

Those attributes made him one of a kind as a player. Often, players don't get enough appreciation for doing the dirty work. They're forgotten for the bigger stars, specifically if Jack Eichel and Mitch Marner are on the team.

Luckily, Golden Knights fans haven't forgotten about Schwindt's contributions. He's shown himself to be integral to the team's success, doing the little things right. Pour one out for a lost comrade because he'll never be forgotten.