Växjö Lakers have announced that five players will depart the club after the season, including Dylan McLaughlin (now with Timrå IK), Reid Gardiner (linked to Timrå), and Félix Robert (rumored for Finland's Tappara), signaling a major roster refresh.
On April 30, Växjö Lakers confirmed that five players will not return for the upcoming SHL season, as reported by HockeyNews.se. This overhaul includes center Dylan McLaughlin—who, as previously announced, signed a two-year deal with rival Timrå IK after three seasons and 80 points in 148 regular-season games—along with forwards Félix Robert, Zach Giuttari, Kevin Israelsson, and Ville Svensson.
Expressen reports that Reid Gardiner, who joined Växjö from Finland and notched 30 points in 49 SHL games last season, is close to joining Timrå following failed contract talks. Gardiner was a top goal scorer in the Finnish league.
Félix Robert, acquired from the AHL's Syracuse Crunch for the 2024/2025 season, contributed 51 points in 103 regular-season games and 18 playoff outings. He is rumored to move to Tappara in Finland, though unconfirmed.
The departures of Giuttari, Israelsson, and Svensson round out Växjö's preparations for next season.
