The Vegas Golden Knights entered the 2026 offseason following another deep playoff appearance, but reaching the Stanley Cup Final did not mean the roster would remain static.
General manager Kelly McCrimmon orchestrated several major roster adjustments over the summer, parting ways with several familiar faces while bolstering the team’s forward and defensive depth. With training camp quickly approaching, the Golden Knights’ roster looks markedly different from the group that made a run at the Stanley Cup last season.
Here is a breakdown of the most significant additions and departures during Vegas’ offseason.
In: Parker Wotherspoon
The Golden Knights made one of their more compelling offseason acquisitions, trading for defenseman Parker Wotherspoon from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Kaeden Korczak.
Wotherspoon is coming off the best offensive campaign of his NHL career, recording three goals and 27 assists for 30 points in 80 games last season. He also posted a plus-17 rating, blocked 112 shots, and averaged 2:22 of shorthanded ice time per game. At 28 years old, he provides Vegas with a versatile, experienced defensive option capable of playing in various situations.
The fact that Pittsburgh retained 50 percent of his salary also makes this move highly appealing from a salary-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, where he recorded 13 goals and 31 points in 78 games.
During his previous stint in 2024-25, Olofsson produced 15 goals and 29 points in 56 games with Vegas, giving the Golden Knights a familiar scoring presence to help offset the loss of Pavel Dorofeyev. NHL.com has specifically identified Olofsson as a key player whom Vegas will rely on to help fill the offensive void left by Dorofeyev.
In: Ville Heinola
Vegas also added intrigue to its defensive depth by signing Ville Heinola to a one-year contract. Once regarded as one of the Winnipeg Jets’ premier 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 providing the Golden Knights with another young defensive option to call upon when injuries strike.
Heinola joins a competitive group of depth defensemen vying for NHL opportunities, making him a player to watch closely throughout training camp.
In: Marc Gatcomb
Marc Gatcomb gives the Golden Knights another option for their bottom six after signing with the team as a free agent. The 26-year-old forward brings size and versatility to the group and will likely compete with a crowded group of forwards for a regular role in the lineup during training camp.
With Vegas losing several veteran depth forwards this offseason, Gatcomb has a prime opportunity to carve out a meaningful 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 provide the Golden Knights with another player capable of stepping into action when injuries inevitably arise.
Ginning joins Wotherspoon and Heinola as new additions to Vegas’ defensive group, giving the organization competition for both NHL and AHL roles heading into training camp.
Out: Pavel Dorofeyev
Without question, Dorofeyev represents the most significant loss for the Golden Knights. 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 regular-season games. He then added 12 more goals during Vegas’ playoff run, which was second on the team only behind Brett Howden.
Replacing that level of offensive production will be one of the primary challenges facing the Golden Knights in the 2026-27 season.
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 and added 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 but productive stint in Vegas.
Out: Cole Smith
Cole Smith is another depth forward who departed via free agency. His move to the Chicago Blackhawks creates another opening in the bottom six, leaving Vegas to find the ideal mix of size, physicality, and defensive responsibility.
Out: Keegan Kolesar
Keegan Kolesar’s departure marked the end of a long and impactful 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. In the deal, Vegas received a third-round pick in the 2029 NHL Draft and a seventh-round pick in 2027.
Replacing Kolesar’s physicality will not be easy, particularly after he became such a reliable and 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 parted ways with a younger defenseman who possessed plenty of NHL experience, they gained a more established option in Wotherspoon while also creating some beneficial 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 in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft. Schmid appeared in a career-high 34 games last season, posting a 16-10-6 record 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 several crucial pieces have changed.
Dorofeyev’s departure leaves a substantial hole from a scoring perspective, while Kolesar and Sissons leave behind valuable 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 successfully replace what they lost internally. Vegas is once again entering the season with Stanley Cup aspirations. While their roster may look different, the expectations have not changed.
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