The Vegas Golden Knights have enhanced their goaltending lineup by signing newly acquired goaltender Akira Schmid to a two-year contract. This deal, confirmed by CapFriendly, will pay the 24-year-old $875,000 per season and is a one-way contract.
Schmid was recently traded to the Golden Knights from the New Jersey Devils. During the 2023-24 season, he primarily played in the American Hockey League (AHL). For the Devils, he played 19 games, achieving a 5-9-1 record. He also participated in 23 games for the Utica Comets, earning a 9-8-5 record, a 3.06 goals against average, and a .894 save percentage.
Schmid’s notable performance occurred in the 2022-23 season when he won five consecutive starts early in the year. He finished that season with a 9-5-2 record but faced stiff competition for playing time in the Devils’ roster. Consequently, Schmid struggled to secure consistent minutes in New Jersey, prompting a trade that could potentially invigorate his young career.
The trade that brought Schmid to Vegas also included former 2020 first-round pick Alexander Holtz, with the Devils receiving forward Paul Cotter in return. Following this trade, speculation arose that the Golden Knights viewed Schmid as a third-string goalie and were in search of another netminder. This speculation proved accurate when Vegas signed Ilya Samsonov to a one-year contract two days later.
The Golden Knights’ goaltending depth chart has undergone significant changes for the upcoming season. Before signing Samsonov and acquiring Schmid, Vegas traded Logan Thompson to the Washington Capitals for two third-round draft picks.
Despite these moves, the Golden Knights are not done with their offseason activities. General Manager Kelly McCrimmon faces the challenge of managing the salary cap, as the team is currently over the limit with all 23 NHL roster spots filled just three days into free agency.
