Kelly McCrimmon is one who never sleeps. He's constantly wheelin' and dealin', doing whatever it takes to improve his team. He did exactly that on Sunday, signing three players to one-year deals.
✍️ The Vegas Golden Knights have agreed to terms with Cole Schwindt, Jonas Rondbjerg and Raphael Lavoie on one-year contracts! #VegasBorn https://t.co/BLm5AhLYB5
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) July 6, 2025
Jonas Rondbjerg, Raphael Lavoie, and Cole Schwindt are all returning to the Golden Knights for one more year. The forward depth is much-needed for Vegas, considering they've been adamant on bolstering the unit since they were eliminated in May.
Now? They have the fourth-line forwards needed to keep themselves afloat for the upcoming season. If you lose a player like Keegan Kolesar or Brandon Saad, you can have one of these guys step in for you. Take their 2024-25 campaigns as a perfect example.
Players | Games | Blocked Shots | Hits | Takeaways |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Jonas Rondbjerg | 13 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
Raphael Lavoie | 9 | 0 | 16 | 0 |
Cole Schwindt | 42 | 17 | 41 | 6 |
Obviously, Schwindt got the bulk of playing time with the Golden Knights last season. He was the only player who scored, with one goal and seven assists to his name. Rondbjerg and Lavoie didn't score because they didn't get much playing time.
So let's look at the players returning. What do they bring to the table? Why should fans be excited about these depth pieces?
What the returning Golden Knights bring to the table
First, let's start with Schwindt. He has a penchant for playing a two-way style that benefits the Golden Knights. He'll block shots and hit people, making him a reliable depth piece. He might not be consistent enough to garner a starting role. However, his versatility makes him valuable when you're down a player or two.
As for Rondbjerg, he's an effective penalty killer who's big and reliable (6'2"). He also has a higher hockey IQ than most, seeing the play happen and adapting as needed. The one sticking point is the Danish forward doesn't do anything offensively. Don't expect him to score many goals.
Lavoie is a heat-seeking missile who's always looking for a goal. Being 6'4" and weighing 215 pounds also helps him with his game, making it tougher to defend against him. However, he has a similar problem with Schwindt, for he's inconsistent as a player. Lavoie also needs work on his defensive game to be a factor.
You might not think about these three players too much. They might be as memorable as watching the Pittsburgh Pirates play. However, every player has a significant role on their respective teams.
Who knows? They might just get the game-winning goal in a key game.