Golden Knights’ Additions & Subtractions From the 2026 Offseason – The Hockey Writers – Vegas Golden Knights

The Vegas Golden Knights entered the 2026 offseason coming off another deep playoff run, but reaching the Stanley Cup Final did not mean the roster would remain untouched.

General manager Kelly McCrimmon made several significant changes over the summer, moving on from some familiar faces while adding depth at forward and defense. With training camp quickly approaching, the Golden Knights’ roster looks noticeably different than the one that made a run at the Stanley Cup last season.

Here’s a look at the biggest additions and departures from Vegas’ offseason.

In: Parker Wotherspoon

The Golden Knights made one of their more interesting offseason moves when they acquired defenseman Parker Wotherspoon from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Kaeden Korczak.

Wotherspoon is coming off the best offensive season of his NHL career, recording three goals and 27 assists for 30 points in 80 games. He also posted a plus-17 rating, blocked 112 shots and averaged 2:22 of shorthanded ice time per game. The 28-year-old provides Vegas with an experienced defensive option who can play in a variety of situations.

The face Pittsburgh retained 50 percent of his salary also made the move particularly appealing from a cap perspective.

In: Victor Olofsson

Victor Olofsson is returning to Vegas after spending the 2024-25 season with the Golden Knights. The veteran forward signed a one-year deal on July 1 after splitting the 2025-26 season between the Colorado Avalanche and the Calgary Flames. He finished the season with 13 goals and 31 points in 78 games.

Olofsson previously recorded 15 goals and 29 points in 56 games with Vegas in 2024-25, giving the Golden Knights a familiar scoring option who could help soften the loss of Pavel Dorofeyev. NHL.com specifically identified Olofsson as one of the players Vegas will rely on to help replace Dorofeyev’s production.

In: Ville Heinola

Vegas also added some intrigue to its defensive depth by signing Ville Heinola to a one-year contract. Once regarded as one of the Winnipeg Jets’ top defensive prospects, Heinola has struggled to establish himself as a full-time NHL player. The move to Vegas gives him an opportunity to reset his career while giving the Golden Knights another young option to call upon when injuries strike.

Heinola joins a group of depth defensemen competing for NHL opportunities, making him a player worth watching throughout training camp.

In: Marc Gatcomb

Marc Gatcomb gives the Golden Knights another option for their bottom six after signing with Vegas as a free agent. The 26-year-old forward brings some size and versatility to the group and will likely be competing with a crowded group of forwards for a regular role in the lineup during training camp.

With Vegas losing some familiar depth forwards this offseason, Gatcomb has an opportunity to carve out a role with his new team.

In: Adam Ginning

Adam Ginning adds another young defensive option to Vegas’ organizational depth after signing a one-year contract. The 25-year-old defenseman spent last season with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the American Hockey League (AHL) and will give the Golden Knights another player capable of providing depth when injuries inevitably rise.

Ginning joins Wotherspoon and Heinola as new additions to Vegas’ defensive group, giving the organization for competition for both NHL and AHL roles heading into training camp.

Out: Pavel Dorofeyev

Without question, Dorofeyev is the biggest loss for the Golden Knights list. The 25-year-old forward was traded to the New York Rangers on June 26 after posting career highs across the board with 37 goals, 27 assists and 64 points in 82 games. He then added 12 goals during Vegas’ playoff run, second on the team behind Brett Howden.

Replacing that level of production will be one of the biggest challenges facing the Golden Knights in 2026-27.

Out: Colton Sissons

Colton Sissons brought veteran experience and a defensive-minded game to Vegas after joining the team last season. He recorded 11 points in 66 regular-season games before adding eight points in 22 playoff appearances. The veteran center signed a two-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on July, 1 ending his short stint in Vegas.

Out: Cole Smith

Cole Smith is another depth forward who moved on during free agency. His departure to the Chicago Blackhawks creates another opening among the bottom-six options as Vegas looks to find the right combination of size, physicality and defensive responsibility.

Out: Keegan Kolesar

Keegan Kolesar’s departure marked the end of a long tenure with the Golden Knights. The physical forward was traded to the Detroit Red Wings on July 1 after recording 17 points and 270 hits in 82 games last season. Vegas received a third-round pick in the 2029 NHL Draft and a seventh-round pick in 2027 in the deal.

Kolesar’s physicality will not be easy to replace, particularly after he became such a consistent presence on Vegas’ fourth line.

Out: Kaeden Korczak

Korczak appeared in 78 games last season, recording three goals and 13 assists. While the Golden Knights gave up a younger defenseman with plenty of NHL experience, they gained a more established option in Wotherspoon while also creating some salary-cap flexibility.

Out: Akira Schmid

Schmid’s time in Vegas also came to an end this summer when the Golden Knights traded him to the Florida Panthers for a third-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft. Schmid appeared in a career-high 34 games last season, going 16-10-6 with a 2.59 goals against average and a .893 save percentage. He did not see any playoff action.

A Different-Looking Golden Knights Team

The Golden Knights did not completely overhaul their roster, but there is no question that some important pieces have changed.

Dorofeyev’s departure creates the biggest hole from a scoring perspective, while Kolesar and Sissons leave behind some veteran experience and physicality. Meanwhile, Vegas has added players such as Olofsson, Wotherspoon, and Gatcomb who could help fill some of those gaps.

The biggest question now is whether the Golden Knights can replace what they lost internally. Vegas is once again entering the season with Stanley Cup aspirations. Their roster may look different, but the expectations have not changed.