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Lavoie's two-way structure preserves Vegas cap flexibility and reduces urgency for deadline forward acquisition, shifting trade focus to defense.
4–1
victory over the Ottawa Senators
1–1
tie at 10
$775,000
NHL salary
$400,000
AHL rate—following
Raphael Lavoie scored his first NHL goal midway through the third period Tuesday night, pacing the Vegas Golden Knights to a 4–1 victory over the Ottawa Senators. The 24-year-old winger, operating in his seventh NHL game this season, broke a 1–1 tie at 10:47 of the final frame. Vegas added two more goals before the final horn.
Lavoie entered the season on an AHL contract with the Henderson Silver Knights after three years in the Edmonton organization. Vegas signed him to a two-way deal in July—$775,000 NHL salary, $400,000 AHL rate—following 31 goals across 120 AHL games with Bakersfield. The Oilers waived him in October after he posted one assist in six games. Vegas claimed him, sent him to Henderson for conditioning, then recalled him January 10 when injuries thinned the forward group. He's averaged 11:43 of ice time since.
The goal itself matters less than what it confirms: Vegas has a competent depth piece who costs nothing against the cap in Henderson and slots into NHL minutes without bleeding defensive chances. General manager Kelly McCrimmon has constructed rosters this way since the franchise's second season—low-cost AHL forwards who can play 82 games in the minors or 15 in the NHL without structural damage. The Knights currently carry $400,000 in projected cap space, per CapFriendly. Lavoie's two-way structure keeps that flexibility intact. If he stays in the NHL through March, his prorated hit is roughly $260,000.
The timing also matters. Vegas sits second in the Pacific Division with a 28–14–3 record, two points behind Edmonton with two games in hand. The trade deadline arrives March 7. McCrimmon has historically moved expiring contracts and mid-round picks for rental depth—David Perron in 2023, Mattias Janmark in 2022. Proving that Lavoie can absorb third-line minutes reduces the urgency to acquire a forward at deadline prices. If he continues to hold his spot, the front office can allocate trade assets toward blue-line help or goaltending insurance instead.
Vegas also has $1.2 million in long-term injury reserve space from defenseman Alec Martinez, who hasn't played since November. That LTIR figure doesn't provide deadline flexibility unless Martinez returns, which would force corresponding roster moves. Lavoie's salary structure solves that problem before it surfaces. If Martinez is cleared and the Knights need cap relief, they can option Lavoie to Henderson without waivers, freeing the roster spot and recovering most of the $775,000. If Martinez stays out, Lavoie remains a zero-cost depth option through April.
The Senators, meanwhile, are riding a three-game losing streak and sit 12 points out of a playoff spot. Ottawa hasn't made the postseason since 2017. Attendance at Canadian Tire Centre is averaging 15,844 through 29 home dates this season, roughly 87% of capacity. The building seats 18,652 for hockey. Revenue projections are down year-over-year, and the front office is facing questions about whether to sell at the deadline or hold assets for another run next season. Tuesday's loss doesn't clarify that calculus, but it adds another data point in favor of sellers.
Watch whether Lavoie stays in the lineup when injured forwards return. Brett Howden is week-to-week with an undisclosed issue. Victor Olofsson has been in and out of the lineup with maintenance. If Lavoie continues to play even when the roster is healthy, McCrimmon's trade deadline priorities will clarify by mid-February. If he's optioned back to Henderson, the Knights are still in the market for a depth forward, and asking prices for rental wingers will adjust accordingly. Senators GM Steve Staios will be watching the same thing—every playoff-bound team that proves out its internal depth is one fewer bidder for his expiring contracts.
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