Vegas Golden Knights
Akira Schmid and Alexander Holtz were acquired by the Golden Knights from the New Jersey Devils on Saturday.
The Devils received forward Paul Cotter and a third-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.
Schmid was 5-9-1 with a 3.15 goals-against average and .895 save percentage in 19 regular-season games (15 starts) for the Devils last season. He is 14-18-3 with a 2.90 GAA, .899 save percentage and one shutout in 43 regular-season games (33 starts). The 24-year-old is 4-4 with a 2.35 GAA, .921 save percentage and two shutouts in nine Stanley Cup Playoff games (eight starts).
“It’s quite likely that he’ll be our No. 3 goaltender and play based out of Henderson (in the American Hockey League),” Vegas general manager Kelly McCrimmon said. “He is waiver-exempt, so that allows us to potentially go to the market Monday and add another goaltender that might slot in as the No. 2. That’ll give us, we think, real good depth at that position.”
Holtz, a 22-year-old forward, had 28 points (16 goals, 12 assists) in 82 regular-season games and has 34 points (19 goals, 15 assists) in 110 regular-season games.
“We’re taking a swing at his upside and what a change can do sometimes for young players,” McCrimmon said. “Still a young player we think is going to fit into our lineup, contribute and grow his game. Offensive ability, talent, goal scoring. He’s got a good shot, creative offensively. … We think Holtz has untapped potential that we feel we can unlock here, to some degree, with the opportunity.”
Cotter had an NHL career-high 25 points (seven goals, 18 assists) in 76 regular-season games for Vegas this season. The 24-year-old forward has 45 points (22 goals, 23 assists) in 138 regular-season games.
