Vegas Golden Knights (and New Jersey Devils) fans have been there before. They get a specific family member a gift for Christmas, hoping they'll like their charitable present. The other party doesn't like the gift and refuses it like an ugly child. It looks like it's time to return to Target to get your $80 back for that Ninja blender.
Or maybe you can give it to your aunt, who probably doesn't know the difference. She's too busy giving your nine-year-old boy gifts made for a four-year-old. He's more likely to shoot his eye out than appreciate such presents.
But one particular gift hasn't done much for the Golden Knights this season. He hasn't played good hockey this season, leaving his status on the team in limbo. He was also involved in a trade that sent Paul Cotter and a 2025 third-round pick to the Devils for Akira Schmid.
The sad thing is this Swedish forward is only 22 years old. He has his entire NHL career in front of him, given that he's also a former first-round draft pick for the Devils. However, he's on the verge of being kicked off the main roster altogether, leaving him as a forgotten one-off player.
What's going on with this specific player? Is there time to save him? Or will a new face kick him off the roster and take his spot (*cough* *cough* Alex Tuch *cough*)? Time's running out for this winger, for he must turn his play around or risk being exiled to another team forever.
Alexander Holtz is a gift that must be returned
Alexander Holtz hasn't done much to save himself on the Vegas Golden Knights. The former first-round pick currently has two goals and seven assists in 34 games. Granted, he's had his opportunities to score goals and has come close. However, the winger hasn't put up many goals on the scoreboard.
But his struggles go beyond scoring goals. His Corsi (47%) and Fenwick (47%) show he's not doing much on the offensive end. His shot selection could be better, for he can look for prime opportunities with blockers in front of the goalie. The good news is the 22-year-old has that with players like Tomas Hertl, who can take away the goaltender's vision. Perhaps taking more shots (44 this season) will help him?
But simply trading him away isn't as easy as it sounds. Sure, Holtz is young and has a waiver-exempt status. The upside drew Kelly McCrimmon to pick him up from the New Jersey Devils. However, the Swedish winger is also a restricted free agent after this season. There's a chance he doesn't get picked up after the season's over or re-signs with a deal equal to or smaller than his current contract ($1,744,167 AAV, $894,167 cap hit).
As for Paul Cotter? He has seven goals and six assists this season, which is better than Holtz's stat line. However, a bulk of that production came in October, where he scored six goals and two assists. In fact, four goals and an assist came in the first four games. He's cooled off to Holtz-level production, leaving him as a bottom-six player for the Devils.
Will Holtz be returned to the local Target store? If McCrimmon's looking to do so, he'd better bring his receipt. It could mean a bigger deal in place for the general manager to get a solid winger who scores. Maybe it's time for Alex Tuch to return. Perhaps bringing an "Original Misfit" into the mix will bolster the scoring depth at the wing position, making it one of the best in the NHL.