The New Jersey Devils were not done wheeling and dealing on Day 2 of the NHL Draft. New Jersey traded goaltender Akira Schmid and forward Alexander Holtz to the Vegas Golden Knights for center Paul Cotter and a third-round pick in 2025.
Vegas Golden Knights acquiring Akira Schmid from The New Jersey Devils.
Devils have too many goalies. Vegas needs a goalie with Thompson gone. #njdevils @FullPressNHL @myNHLTradeRumor @DevilsNationX
— Jim Biringer (@JimBiringer) June 29, 2024
The Devils started the day trading John Marino, opening up cap space for free-agent defenseman Brett Pesce. Now, the Devils President and General Manager Tom Fitzgerald is continuing to revamp his team. He continuously talked about adding more jam to his team, and Fitzgerald also wanted a little more violence on the roster.
New Jersey Devils Trade John Marino Opening Space to Sign Brett Pesce
He got that with the acquisition of Paul Cotter. The Devils get a fourth-line center in Cotter, which they need. Remember, Michael McLeod is probably not returning to the Devils, and they required depth in that position. Cotter is a big, solid defensive fourth-line forward.
Paul Cotter is your replacement for Michael McLeod. #njdevils @FullPressNHL @myNHLTradeRumor @DevilsNationX
— Jim Biringer (@JimBiringer) June 29, 2024
Fitzgerald wanted to bring in this type of player—someone who brings a little violence and is a bit heavier and tougher to play against.
With how the Devils built their team and revamped their club, Fitzgerald got a good player in Cotter.
“In the vision we have to build our roster that I’ve talked about since the end of last season, we want a different looking bottom-6. Paul Cotter fills that with his skating, speed, and physicality,” General Manager Tom Fitzgerald said following the trade. “We are betting on Cotter’s upside, and he’s just scratched the surface of what he can do.”
To get this player, they had to give up Holtz. And from the sounds of it, he was going to be the odd man out of the bottom six.
New Jersey Devils Eyeing Brett Pesce to Improve Defense
Alexander Holtz was the seventh overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft. Holtz was part of the “Terror Twins” in Sweden alongside Lucas Raymond. The Devils got Holtz that year because they needed a scoring winger. However, he has not been that on the NHL level. Last year, he scored 28 points, including 16 goals, in 82 games with the Devils.
Unfortunately, Holtz never developed into that player for the Devils. He could not consistently play in the top six, and the Devils were looking for him to be something he was not—a defensive-minded forward who could win board battles. When Holtz released his shot, it was on target and lethal. He still has room to develop, and he did under Kevin Dineen in the AHL.
Alexander Holtz is going to the Vegas Golden Knights as part of this trade. They will get Paul Cotter and a third next year. #njdevils @FullPressNHL @myNHLTradeRumor @DevilsNationX
— Jim Biringer (@JimBiringer) June 29, 2024
Now, Holtz will get a new start in Vegas and a chance to play alongside talented players. Holtz had been rumored in trade talks for most of the season. He was initially part of the Jacob Markstrom package in March at the deadline. But the Devils were looking to move this player.
In addition, the Devils moved out goaltender Akira Schmid to Vegas. The Golden Knights needed a goalie after moving Logan Thompson to Washington. Schmid had a great run in 2023, guiding the Devils to the second of the playoffs. However, he saw his share of ups and downs this past season. There would be a competition down the line for the backup role.
With Markstrom set to be the number and Jake Allen brought in at the deadline to be a backup to their number, there was no room for Schmid on the main roster. He was not going to the AHL to play because Nico Daws will probably be the starter there. So, he needed a fresh start.
Expect the New Jersey Devils to continue to be active on Free Agency.
