Vegas Golden Knights right wing Alexander Holtz (26) against the Calgary Flames during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/adb2783c-7912-4cad-99d6-c9d4f332da6a.jpeg] Vegas Golden Knights right wing Alexander Holtz (26) against the Calgary Flames during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images The Vegas Golden Knights have extended qualifying offers to five players, maintaining their restricted free-agent rights. The five players include Lukas Cormier, Alexander Holtz, Raphael Lavoie, Jonas Rondbjerg and Cole Schwindt. Cormier, a 23-year-old left-handed defenseman, was drafted in the third round (68th overall) in the 2020 NHL draft. Since the selection, Cormier has seen almost all of his action in the AHL but has accumulated two games of NHL experience. In the AHL, Cormier has scored 14 goals and 64 points in 139 games, continuing to round out his game on both sides of the puck. The 2024-25 season was difficult for Cormier [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights/latest-news/golden-knights-activate-top-defensive-prospect-from-injured-reserve-assign-him-to-ahl], as he played just 19 games after recovering from an injury. With the recent news about Alex Pietrangelo's hip injury [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights/players/golden-knights-release-update-on-defenseman-alex-pietrangelo] and Nicolas Hague's departure [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights/players/golden-knights-trade-nicolas-hague-to-predators-for-jeremy-lauzon-and-colton-sissons] to the Nashville Predators [http://thn.com/nashville], Cormier is likely the next man up to step into an NHL role. Holtz's first season with the Golden Knights was up-and-down [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights/golden-knights-young-forward-to-be-a-healthy-scratch-for-the-first-time-this-season]. In the NHL, he struggled to take a firm grasp of any role he was assigned, recording four goals and 12 points in 53 games. In the AHL, the 23-year-old netted seven goals and 13 points in just 16 games, proving to be too skilled at times for the minors. The 2025-26 season could be a career-defining season for the former seventh-overall pick in the 2020 NHL draft, as many predict he'll sign a one-year deal. Lavoie and Schwindt also played their first seasons as Golden Knights after the pair was claimed off waivers in the preseason. Lavoie spent the majority of the season with the Henderson Silver Knights, registering 17 goals and 27 points in 42 games. In nine games of NHL action, the 24-year-old failed to record a point. Schwindt served as the Golden Knights' fourth-line centre prior to his injury and additions at the trade deadline. The 24-year-old scored a goal and eight points in 42 games, gaining plenty of trust from HC Bruce Cassidy, averaging 9:15 of ice time. Out of the five, Rondbjerg [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights/latest-news/golden-knights-jonas-rondbjerg-named-to-denmark-s-olympic-team] is the longest-tenured Golden Knight, but he's struggled to break through the lineup and take a firm grasp of a roster spot. This season, Rondbjerg skated in 13 games but did not record any points. With the Silver Knights, the 26-year-old scored 11 goals and 26 points in 53 games. Price tags for each qualifying offer according to PuckPedia [https://puckpedia.com/team/vegas-golden-knights]: Cormier: $813,750 Holtz: $874,125 Schwindt: $840,000 Lavoie: $813,750 Rondbjerg: $813,750 Stay updated with the most interesting Golden Knights stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwiNvfCA?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] to never miss a story.
