Vegas Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon said the team will still be looking for a backup goaltender and will use Akira Schmid as the third-stringer.

Vegas Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon said the team will still be looking for a backup goaltender and will use Akira Schmid as the third-stringer.

The Golden Knights shocked the league when they announced they were sending Paul Cotter and a 2025 third-round pick to the New Jersey Devils for Alexander Holtz and Schmid.

Schmid is a restricted free agent and is also arbitration-eligible. He struggled during the 2023-24 season posting a .895SV% and a 3.15GAA in 19 games. The 24-year-old is 6'5 and only has 43 games in his three-year career. Jiri Patera was the Henderson Silver Knights' goalie last year but is Group 6 UFA and could be replaced by Schmid if he and the team are too far apart in negotiations. 

McCrimmon spoke to the media following the draft and spoke about the Golden Knights plans.

"(Schmid) Quite likely he’ll be our third goalie."

Come Monday, the Golden Knights will have a plethora of options. Some options include Eric Comrie, Casey DeSmith, Kevin Lankinen, Anthony Stolarz, Scott Wedgewood, Kaapo Kahkonen and former Golden Knight Laurent Brossoit. 

Brossoit, Stolarz and Lankinen would be complicated to sign due to their cap situation and what each goaltender could command. 

Adin Hill has never played the minutes a starting goaltender in the NHL does and struggled with injury issues last season making the backup goaltender role vital. The most appearances Hill has made in a season during his career is 35 which came in the 2023-24 season. 

McCrimmon has solved a few issues before the start of free agency but will have a lot of work to do starting July 1st.

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