Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
The Vegas Golden Knights announced they claimed left winger Raphael Lavoie off NHL waivers from the Edmonton Oilers. And yes, that already happened on Monday, but they did it again on Friday.
The Golden Knights originally claimed the 24-year-old off waivers on Monday, when the Oilers first waived him to finalize their season-opening NHL roster. On Tuesday, Vegas waived Lavoie in an attempt to assign him to the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights, but the Oilers claimed him back on Wednesday.
Since another team higher in last year’s NHL standings put in a claim for Lavoie as well, the Oilers were higher in the pecking order to get Lavoie but weren’t allowed to assign him to AHL Bakersfield without needing to clear waivers again. So on Thursday, Lavoie went back onto the waiver wire.
Vegas did it again. Lavoie was claimed off waivers for the third time this week. This time, however, is different.
No other team tried to claim Lavoie this time, apparently, since the Golden Knights announced he’s headed to the Silver Knights this time. Because they lost him on waivers but reclaimed him without another team putting in a claim, he doesn’t have to clear waivers again.
That provides some clarity of Lavoie’s future for now. He played his first seven NHL games last season and has yet to record a point at the top level. He did get 28 goals and 50 points in 66 games for the Condors last season, however, and can work his way toward convincing Vegas of a call-up later in the year.
Lavoie was Edmonton’s fourth-top prospect and was projected to make the NHL full-time in 2025-26, per The Hockey News Yearbook.
Related: Despite A Perceived Lack of Loyalty, Jack Eichel Says Vegas Is ‘The Place You Want To Be’
In other NHL waiver news, the Colorado Avalanche announced they claimed goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen from the Winnipeg Jets on Friday. Kahkonen had a .898 save percentage and 3.64 goals-against average in 37 games last season for the San Jose Sharks and New Jersey Devils.
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