The Vegas Golden Knights have announced the signing of defenseman Robert Hagg and forward Callahan Burke to one-year contracts. Hagg has secured a one-way deal valued at $775,000, while Burke has agreed to a two-way contract worth the same amount.
Robert Hagg spent the previous season with the Anaheim Ducks and their AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls, after signing a one-year deal with Anaheim. During his time with the Ducks, Hagg played in five games without recording any points. However, he was more productive with the Gulls, appearing in 47 games and tallying three goals and 12 points.
Hagg was originally drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round (41st overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft. The Swedish defenseman made his NHL debut with the Flyers during the 2016-17 season. Over parts of seven NHL seasons with the Flyers, Buffalo Sabres, Florida Panthers, Detroit Red Wings, and Ducks, Hagg has accumulated 16 goals and 63 points in 343 career games. He also has three assists in 14 Stanley Cup Playoff appearances.
Callahan Burke, on the other hand, split the last season between the Carolina Hurricanes and the AHL’s Colorado Eagles, the affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche. Although he played only one NHL game, Burke was traded to Carolina but remained with the Eagles due to the Hurricanes not having an AHL affiliate. While with the Eagles, Burke had an impressive season, scoring 16 goals and 39 points in 57 games, along with three points in three Calder Cup playoff games.
Burke played four years at the University of Notre Dame, where he served as captain in his senior year (2019-20). The forward from Boxborough, Massachusetts, signed his first professional contract in 2020 and spent his first two pro seasons exclusively with the Eagles. Burke made his NHL debut last year but did not record any points in his two appearances.
In other news, the Golden Knights recently acquired goaltender Akira Schmid from the New Jersey Devils as part of a trade that also brought forward Alexander Holtz to Vegas. Schmid’s performance with the Devils last season included a 5-9-1 record, a 3.15 goals-against average, and a .895 save percentage. Drafted in the fifth round (136th overall) of the 2018 NHL Draft, Schmid has shown potential, notably contributing to the Devils’ first-round playoff victory against the New York Rangers two years ago. However, he struggled to replicate that success this past season and found himself in a crowded goaltending situation in New Jersey, especially after the team acquired Jake Allen and Jacob Markstrom.
Schmid’s role with the Golden Knights is expected to be as a competitor for the backup goalie position behind starter Adin Hill. Additionally, the Golden Knights have brought in Ilya Samsonov, who had a strong finish to the previous season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, becoming their starter for the playoffs. Schmid’s two-year, one-way contract ensures he will receive an NHL salary even if he is assigned to the minors, a sign that the team values his potential contribution. The competition for the backup spot between Schmid and Samsonov will likely play out during training camp and the preseason, with the loser expected to start for the Golden Knights’ AHL affiliate, the Henderson Silver Knights.
The additions of Hagg, Burke, and Schmid signify the Golden Knights’ efforts to bolster their depth and competitiveness across various positions. Hagg brings experience and a steady defensive presence, Burke adds offensive potential and versatility up front, and Schmid offers promising goaltending depth, all of which could play crucial roles in the upcoming season.
