VGK Add Holtz, Schmid From Devils VIA Trade

VGK Add Holtz, Schmid From Devils VIA Trade

The Golden Knights just traded Logan Thompson for a pair of third round picks. It turns out they weren’t done shopping and one of those third rounders have already been sent to Jersey in another trade. The VGK are adding two intriguing young talents from the Devils including former number 7 overall pick Alexander Holtz.

Pierre LeBrun of TSN and The Athletic has reported that Vegas is acquiring Holtz and goalie Akira Schmid. They will send Paul Cotter and a third round pick in 2025 to the Devils.

On the surface, this trade is super surprising. Holtz, 22, was the 7th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft. This is a really young talent to be given up so soon. Odd stuff went down with Holtz and Lindy Ruff last year. Given that Ruff was fired, it felt like that issue had been solved. Maybe the Devils felt it was best to just move off of both of them.

Schmid, 24, just had no place on the roster after the trade for Jacob Markstrom. It was an up-and-down adventure for Schmid in Jersey. The Swiss goalie was at a .922 SV% in 18 games last season. Then was at a .895 in 15 games last season. Still, the 6-foot-5 former 5th round pick in 2018 has shown promise in the past. Clearly, Vegas feels that Schmid was a higher long term upside than Thompson did.

The Devils do add Paul Cotter here in this deal. He’s a player we talked about last year. Cotter got off to a strong start last year but eventually settled into a 4th line role last year. Cotter notched 25 points in 76 games last year and likely will fill that same role with his new team. A team that in fairness did need more physical hitting ability. Something Cotter brings to the table.

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