Finally, it happened. Alexander Holtz got a new deal. No more Arby's shifts.
What, you thought it was the other guy? They're still working on it.
Holtz was one of the last restricted free agents without a new deal. However, that all changed on Tuesday as the winger signed a two-year deal with the Vegas Golden Knights.
The deal will be worth $837,500 per year, giving the Golden Knights some flexibility with the salary cap.
Last season, the former first-round pick scored four goals and eight assists in 53 games. That was a stark dropoff from his 2023-24 campaign with the Devils, where he scored 16 goals and 12 assists in 82 games. Holtz was drafted seventh overall in the 2020 NHL Draft by the New Jersey Devils and was acquired by Vegas last season alongside Akira Schmid for Paul Cotter.
Last season, the winger was sent down to Henderson, where he scored seven goals and six assists. Overall, the Swedish forward has played 163 career NHL games, scoring 23 goals and 23 assists.
The signing gives the Stockholm native a second chance with the Golden Knights. After an unfortunate campaign where nothing went in the net, Holtz has another chance to prove himself with Vegas. He has a strong support system, specifically with his bond with William Karlsson. The Original Misfit could serve as an excellent mentor for Holtz, guiding him on becoming a stable NHL player.
Fans might still be waiting for a certain megastar to get a new deal and with good reason. They don't want this to drag through the regular season, where it becomes a distraction. However, Holtz is a good signing in itself, providing forward stability for the 2025-26 season.