Golden Knights Sign Akira Schmid to Two-Year, $1.75 Million Contract
The Vegas Golden Knights have bolstered their goaltending depth by signing newly acquired goalie Akira Schmid to a two-year contract, paying him $875,000 annually, as per CapFriendly.
Schmid, who was recently traded from the New Jersey Devils, spent most of the 2023-24 season in the American Hockey League. The 24-year-old Swiss netminder played 19 games for the Devils with a 5-9-1 record, and 23 games for the Utica Comets, achieving a 9-8-5 record, a 3.06 goals against average, and an .894 save percentage.
Schmid’s breakthrough came in the 2022-23 season, where he won five consecutive starts early on and finished with a 9-5-2 record. However, he struggled to secure consistent playing time in New Jersey, leading to speculation that a change of scenery could benefit his career.
The trade that brought Schmid to Vegas also included Alexander Holtz, a former 2020 first-round pick, while the Devils received forward Paul Cotter. Following the trade, the Golden Knights signed Ilya Samsonov to a one-year deal, indicating that they view Schmid as a third option in their goalie rotation.
Vegas’s goalie depth chart has undergone significant changes, including trading Logan Thompson to the Washington Capitals for two third-round picks. Despite these moves, the Golden Knights still have work to do, as general manager Kelly McCrimmon is over the salary cap with all 23 NHL roster spots filled.
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