Knights claim 2 forwards off waivers, but lose 1: ‘That’s the risk’

The Golden Knights claimed two forwards off waivers Monday and lost one.

The Knights picked up Raphael Lavoie and Cole Schwindt off the wire with NHL teams trimming their rosters before the start of the season. They lost preseason standout Zach Aston-Reese, who was claimed by the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Lavoie was a second-round pick of the Edmonton Oilers in 2019. He had a career-high 50 points in 66 games with the Oilers’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors, last season.

The 24-year-old right wing has not scored a point in seven career NHL games.

Schwindt was a third-round pick of the Florida Panthers in 2019. He was traded, along with forward Jonathan Huberdeau and defenseman MacKenzie Weegar, to the Calgary Flames in July 2022 in exchange for right wing Matthew Tkachuk.

Schwindt scored 36 points in 66 games last season for the Flames’ AHL affiliate, the Calgary Wranglers. The 23-year-old also has not scored a point in seven career NHL games.

Aston-Reese, 30, had a strong training camp that earned him an NHL opportunity, just not with the Knights. He was battling for the team’s open spot at fourth-line left wing, but the job went to veteran forward Tanner Pearson instead.

Aston-Reese scored two goals in the Knights’ 6-1 preseason victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Oct. 1.

“I thought he played well for us. He was definitely going to be a guy that we would’ve definitely looked at,” coach Bruce Cassidy said. “We didn’t sign him just to help Henderson because he’s a veteran, high-character guy. He was going to be an organizational asset, but unfortunately he didn’t make it through and that’s the risk.”