Is Alexander Holtz *GASP* ready to return to the Golden Knights?

This season hasn't been very kind to Alexander Holtz. The Vegas Golden Knights winger only has three goals and eight assists with his new team this season. Suddenly, the New Jersey Devils look like complete geniuses after passing off the 23-year-old to Vegas. All you have to hope for is Akira Schmid to be the team's next goaltender... right?

Well, dear reader. It appears there's a small glimmer of hope for the Swedish forward. Sunday evening saw him explode for four goals against the San Jose Barracuda. Yes, you read that right. The player who was demoted from the NHL club cooked his opponent on Sunday. In fact, there's video evidence that it happened!

While the Henderson Silver Knights lost the game in overtime, 6-5, it raised some eyebrows within the collective fanbase, wondering how in the world he was doing it.

"This can't be the real Holtz we're seeing?"

"No way he's doing this all by himself?"

Yet, here we are. Nearly winning a hockey game single-handedly would be grounds for getting the call-up, right? Surely, he deserves a reward for his efforts after scoring four goals in a game. Well, it's much more complicated than one would think. It involves many moving factors that will likely result in him not getting NHL ice time for the rest of the regular season.

What will prevent Alexander Holtz from getting back into the big leagues

FIrst, everything will depend on what Kelly McCrimmon does at the trade deadline. He's not known for telling everyone his intentions directly, other than deflecting from what his true intentions are. Vegas Golden Knights fans know this. NHL fans know this. Even numerous podcasters, social media, and reporters are getting the same vibes.

Think of it this way. Nobody thought McCrimmon would acquire Anthony Mantha, Noah Hanifin, and Tomas Hertl all in one trade deadline. Did you? A surprisingly aggressive approach put his team in the all-in department at the poker table last season. While they were eliminated in the first round, Hertl and Hanifin were added as long-term pieces.

That's why Brandon Saad was signed to a one-year, $1.5 million deal, after all. The winger depth wasn't up to par for the season. The funny thing is that Saad is one goal short of Alexander Holtz's total. He already has two in his Golden Knights tenure, making him a plausible replacement for the Stanley Cup run.

If he proceeds to get another key player (i.e. Reilly Smith or another winger), that will put the kibosh on any hopes of returning this season. The role of playing on the wing will go to a veteran player with playoff experience, giving Bruce Cassidy more reliable options. Holtz isn't there yet and will need more time to develop.

One other thing could keep him with the Henderson Silver Knights

Fans might not know this about Holtz. But he's waiver-exempt for the rest of the season. Kelly McCrimmon doesn't have to worry about other teams claiming him if the Swedish forward continues his revitalization story.

Some positives did emerge from that game against the San Jose Barracudas. One, he seems to have found his go-to spot in the faceoff circle. Two, he's playing more confidently, creating offensive magic with his teammates. These positive attributes will grow in time as the 23-year-old learns to handle the faster pace.

That's why he should stick around with the Henderson Silver Knights for the remainder of the season. Staying with the AHL club builds that routine and seasons him into a better player. After all, experience is the best teacher, right? Who knows? That assignment could be the difference to getting him back at the NHL level.