The Vegas Golden Knights remained active in trades on the second day of draft weekend. They traded Logan Thompson to the Washington Capitals and later announced a deal with the New Jersey Devils, acquiring goaltender Akira Schmid and forward Alexander Holtz in exchange for forward Paul Cotter and a 2025 third-round pick.
Schmid, 24, was previously a fifth-round selection by the Devils. Last season, he played 19 NHL games, posting a 5-9-1 record with a 3.15 goals-against average and a .895 save percentage. The Swiss native has appeared in 43 NHL games over the last three seasons, compiling a 14-18-3 record. With Thompson gone, Schmid will have the opportunity to compete for the backup position behind Golden Knights starter Adin Hill. The Devils had recently strengthened their goalie lineup by acquiring Jacob Markstrom from the Calgary Flames, making Schmid available for Vegas.
In addition to Schmid, the Devils traded Holtz to the Golden Knights. Holtz, 22, a former seventh-overall pick in the 2020 draft, played all 82 games last season, scoring 16 goals and earning 28 points. He spent some time on New Jersey’s second power-play unit and could contend for a top-nine role in Vegas next season. The Swedish forward is entering the final season of his entry-level contract, set to earn $894,167, and will become a restricted free agent after the 2024-25 season.
For the Devils, general manager Tom Fitzgerald aimed to add more grit to the lineup. Cotter, a 24-year-old forward known for his physical play, recorded 233 hits and 25 points in 76 games last season. He has two years remaining on his current contract, with a $775,000 average annual value through the 2025-26 season.
Keep an eye on both teams as they head into free agency on Monday, as further moves are likely.
