**Golden Knights Sign Akira Schmid to Two-Year, $1.75 Million Contract**
The Vegas Golden Knights have strengthened their goaltending depth by signing newly acquired netminder Akira Schmid to a two-year contract worth $1.75 million, with an annual salary of $875,000 on a one-way deal, as reported by CapFriendly.
Schmid, acquired from the New Jersey Devils, spent most of the 2023-24 season in the American Hockey League (AHL). The 24-year-old from Bern, Switzerland, played 19 games for the Devils, recording a 5-9-1 record. He also appeared in 23 games for the Utica Comets, posting a 9-8-5 record, with a 3.06 goals-against average and an .894 save percentage.
Schmid’s breakout performance came during the 2022-23 season when he won five consecutive starts early on, finishing with a 9-5-2 record. However, he struggled to secure consistent playing time in New Jersey, leading to his trade.
The deal involving Schmid also included former 2020 first-round pick Alexander Holtz moving to Vegas, while the Devils received forward Paul Cotter. Speculation arose that the Golden Knights viewed Schmid as a third-string option and were still in the market for another goaltender. Consequently, they signed Ilya Samsonov to a one-year deal two days later.
With the addition of Samsonov and Schmid, and the trade of Logan Thompson to the Washington Capitals for two third-round picks, the Golden Knights’ goaltending depth chart looks significantly different heading into next season.
General manager Kelly McCrimmon still has work to do this offseason, as the team is currently over the salary cap with all 23 NHL roster spots filled after the third day of free agency.
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