-
Greg Wyshynski, ESPN
Shortly after trading goaltender Logan Thompson to the Washington Capitals, the Vegas Golden Knights turned around and added to their crease, dealing for Akira Schmid from the New Jersey Devils.
The trade also included forward Alexander Holtz coming to Vegas, with Paul Cotter and a 2025 third-round pick going to New Jersey.
Which GM did better in the swap? Here are our grades for both teams.
After the Golden Knights traded Thompson to the Capitals, speculation immediately turned to what Vegas would do next for their goaltending. Adin Hill was the only netminder signed with palpable NHL experience. The UFA market offered alternatives, although not at the thrifty price point of Thompson’s contract ($766,667 AAV).
But in Schmid, the Golden Knights acquire one with room to grow at 24 years old and a contract that should come close to the value Thompson gave them. Schmid is a restricted free agent who made just $850,833 against the cap on his last contract, with a qualifying offer of $813,750. He has 43 games of NHL experience and nine more in the postseason. While his numbers dipped last season, his 2022-23 effort (.922 save percentage, 2.13 goals-against average) showed potential for what he could do behind a solid defensive effort in front of him.
The wild card is Holtz. He had 16 goals in 82 games last season. But after 82 games — and several attempts to trade him, reportedly — the Devils decided they were no longer going to wait to see if his defensive competency could develop. He is a dazzling offensive talent. If Vegas can unlock the rest of his game, a throw-in here could turn out to be the steal of draft weekend, for the cost of a depth forward and an expendable third-round pick.
Schmid’s path to the NHL had been cut off by the Two Jakes, as the Devils are going to have Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen as their NHL battery going forward. They also like Nico Daws a bit better than Schmid at this point too, so the “Akira!” chants will now be heard in Vegas.
Holtz … boy, it’s tough to cut bait on that kind of offensive talent. But the Devils gave him a long audition this season and clearly didn’t see enough to warrant either a roster spot or a new contract after next season. They’re clearly prepared to live with the regret if he actualizes as a player, but are expecting that not to happen.
In Cotter, the Devils get a young (24), big body for their bottom six who can contribute offensively (22 goals and 23 assists in 138 NHL games). New Jersey needed to bolster its depth at forward — and its size — and Cotter is a good addition to that end. Plus they net a third-round pick next season.