We’ve got more Saturday NHL Draft deals going on. News emerged this afternoon that the Vegas Golden Knights completed the Alexander Holtz trade. This deal sends Paul Cotter and a third-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft to the New Jersey Devils for goalie Akira Schmid and the Swedish forward.
Alexander Holtz Trade Made to Golden Knights
Holtz had only played for the Devils in portions of three seasons. However, he played in all 82 games this season and netted a career-high 16 goals and 12 assists for 28 points. The 22-year-old had a Corsi for of 52.4 and a relative Corsi of 0.5. Holtz was taken in the first round, seventh overall of the 2020 NHL Draft.
Schmid went 5-9-1 this season with a 3.15 goals-against-average and a .895 save percentage. The Swiss goalie was selected in the fifth round, 136th overall of the 2018 NHL Draft.
Cotter has played for the Golden Knights in parts of three seasons with the Golden Knights. The Canton, Mich. native scored seven goals and handed out 18 assists for 25 points in 76 games this season. He had a Corsi for of 48.2 and a relative Corsi of -0.1. Vegas originally selected him in the fourth round, 115th overall of the 2018 NHL Draft.
What It Means
Holtz gets a new start on a contending team. He showed some signs of life the past season with the Devils, but he’ll be taking his skills to Vegas.
Schmid seemed to be squeezed out after the acquisition of Jacob Markstrom earlier in the month. The Swiss netminder did guide the Devils to a victory over the New York Rangers in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, there’s no place for him in the New Jersey goalie rotation.
Cotter can be a bottom-six forward for the Devils. He did hit double-digit goals with the Golden Knights in 2022-23. However, his numbers went down last season.
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