The departure of Alexander Holtz from the New Jersey Devils was anticipated by some, but it still stirred up quite a reaction among fans. Many Devils supporters worry that the team may have given up too soon on the 22-year-old, fearing he will fulfill his high potential elsewhere. This is precisely the gamble that Vegas Golden Knights General Manager Kelly McCrimmon is taking by bringing Holtz on board.
In a notable pre-free agency trade, Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald sent Holtz and goaltender Akira Schmid to the Golden Knights in exchange for forward Paul Cotter and a 2025 third-round pick.
Though expected, the trade came as a surprise to many. Holtz, a former seventh overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, and Schmid, a key player in the Devils’ 2022-23 success, were significant assets. Schmid was instrumental in the Devils’ first-round playoff victory over the New York Rangers in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Unfortunately, Schmid’s trajectory in New Jersey faltered, and he couldn’t regain his footing. In Vegas, he won’t even be the second-string goaltender. Despite trading Logan Thompson to the Washington Capitals, McCrimmon brought in Ilya Samsonov to back up Aiden Hill.
Holtz, however, is expected to be a regular fixture in the Golden Knights lineup. After completing his first full 82-game season in 2023-24, scoring 16 goals and 28 points, McCrimmon believes there’s untapped potential in Holtz.
“We think that Alexander Holtz has got untapped potential that we feel we can unlock here with the opportunity,” McCrimmon told the Vegas media. “He’s a player we had tremendous regard for as an amateur. We’re taking a swing at his upside and what a change can do sometimes for young players.”
McCrimmon’s confidence in Holtz is well-placed. Holtz, a former top-10 first-round pick, boasts an impressive pre-NHL resume and possesses a powerful shot that made him highly coveted in his draft year.
Despite numerous chances in New Jersey, Holtz couldn’t secure a consistent spot in the lineup. Coaches Lindy Ruff and Travis Green often limited his minutes, and GM Fitzgerald was candid about his performance.
“I would say if [Holtz] changes as a player, then [his ice-time] will change,” Fitzgerald stated in March. “He has not had a good year. It’s not just because he’s been on the fourth line. Core values like being strong on walls, puck play, and management matter. He’s shown he can score 13 goals in eight minutes of average ice time, but the game within the game—managing the lines and turnovers—needs to be much better.”
Holtz may find it easier to address these details within the well-structured defensive setup of the Golden Knights. Vegas’ solid defensive play could help mitigate his weaknesses.
Fitzgerald admitted he might not have managed Holtz’s development ideally but emphasized shared responsibility.
“Well, we’re not here to point blame on anybody. I can look at myself and say, maybe Alexander Holtz should have been in the American Hockey League two years ago when we had 112 points,” Fitzgerald acknowledged. “But I felt that development can also occur at the NHL level, practicing every day with players like Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, and Jack Hughes, shooting on NHL goalies, and facing NHL defensemen. Versus just scoring in the AHL. Being pushed is development. It’s not any one person or division’s fault. Players also need to reflect and strive to improve. At the end of the day, we were at a standstill with Alex.”
With his move to the Golden Knights, Holtz has a new opportunity to unlock his potential and prove his worth in the NHL.
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