Everyone loves an under-the-radar move, specifically if it makes the team much better. They call these moves "steals", where they help the team move further in their quest for a championship. Fans are already giving the most recent Vegas Golden Knights trade this moniker, where they acquired forward Alexander Holtz and goaltender Akira Schmid from the New Jersey Devils and a 2025 third-round draft pick and Paul Cotter.
There's good reason to believe this, too. Numerous publications, including The Athletic, lauded the deal. He was a solid two-way player with a solid shot and could fill a positional need in the process. On the surface, it's a win-win for a team looking to replace outgoing talent such as Jonathan Marchessault.
But nothing is proven until the regular season happens. The Devils didn't think much of Holtz as a player, failing to play 1,000 minutes of TOI last season (he played 954:10 in 2023-24 and averaged 11:38 per game). They had eyes for other young talent, such as Dawson Mercer, leading the Swedish winger to be dealt despite 16 goals last season.
Still, Golden Knights fans have every reason to be excited for the newest acquisition. He has a booming shot and is 22 years old, making the wing position better. He's also a good two-way player, transitioning to the defensive side easily. It's almost a perfect trade for Vegas where Bruce Cassidy will rely on him for production in the slot.
But what does the new hockey season hold for the recent acquisition? Will he prove Tom Fitzgerald and his former team wrong? Or will the trade be as bad as the new Snow White live-action remake? Here's what fans should expect when 2024-25 rolls around for the winger.
Going from the New Jersey Devils to the Vegas Golden Knights
It's not often you see a young player dealt to another team at such a young age. Heck, 22 years old is barely old enough to drink in the United States, let alone go to a different franchise via trade. But for Alexander Holtz, it was Tom Fitzgerald losing faith. The lack of development sent him to the Vegas Golden Knights, with New Jersey's top six unit loaded.
Still, the newest forward should take this in stride, for he's playing with a seasoned veteran in William Karlsson. He's expected to be deployed on the third line and should get time on the second power play unit. It's a good baby step to get used to a new environment, specifically with a team loaded with veterans.
Fans shouldn't expect to see Holtz score 40+ goals this season. After all, he's still raw regarding development and will need more ice time, contrary to what happened with the New Jersey Devils. However, adding another great player in the high-danger slot like Mark Stone will help the Golden Knights this season. A team suddenly deprived of any offense can reclaim it if the former first-round pick plays to his potential.