The Vegas Golden Knights are determined to surround Mitch Marner with the best possible roster in the 2025-26 NHL season. On that note, the organization has now extended a young talent who previously helped the Florida Panthers acquire Matthew Tkachuk.
In a way, the Panthers have to give some credit to the players who made the Tkachuk trade possible. As the American star led Florida to back-to-back Stanley Cups, that blockbuster deal in the summer of 2022 is widely seen as the turning point for the franchise in Sunrise.
Only the Golden Knights have found success against the Panthers since the trade for Tkachuk. Now, with Marner on the lineup, Vegas is hoping to replicate its success of the 2022-23 NHL season.
On that note, the Golden Knights have now extended Cole Schwindt to a one-year contract. Schwindt, a restricted free agent (RFA) with arbitration rights, had just finished his first full NHL season, in which he played in 42 games. As reported by Daily Faceoff, Schwindt signed a one-year extension, but the total value of the deal has yet to be confirmed.
Cole Schwindt #22 of the Vegas Golden Knights skates during a break in the first period of a game against the Calgary Flames at T-Mobile Arena on December 29, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Making way for Tkachuk
Of course, the blockbuster trade could just as easily be remembered as the Jonathan Huberdeau trade—or even the MacKenzie Weegar trade. However, the former Calgary Flames star has enjoyed far more success than the two former Panthers who were sent the other way.
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Lost among the household names, a young prospect Cole Schwindt was also traded to Calgary. The former third-round pick in 2019 was sent to the organization in Alberta after playing in only three NHL games with the Cats. Schwindt didn’t play much with the Flames, as he appeared in four outings.
New beginnings
Schwindt was placed on waivers by the Flames and claimed by the Golden Knights. After posting eight points in 42 games, Vegas has decided to extend Schwindt’s stay in Sin City.
It’s unclear whether his new deal is a one-way or two-way contract, which would determine if the 24-year-old can also suit up for the Henderson Silver Knights in the AHL.
