Devils Trade: Cotter Thrives, Holtz & Schmid Struggle

It's March 18th.

Here's your NHL news in two minutes.

A year and a half ago, the New Jersey Devils traded forward Alexander Holtz and Goldtender

Akira Schmid to the Vegas Golden Knights for Ford Paul, Cotter and a 20-25 third-round

draft pick.

The Devils sought more physical play in their bottom six after a tough injury-field season.

Fans at the time wondered if General Manager Tom Fitzgerald moved too soon on Holtz, their

seventh overall pick from 2020, and Schmid, who, starred in the 2023 playoffs.

Both had underperformed lately, with Holtz drawing criticism for weak defense, and Schmid

posting a drop in say percentage.

Cotter quickly proved his worth for New Jersey, setting career highs with 16 goals and 245 hits,

a new franchise record.

His speed and grit transformed the bottom six, and he started the current season strong

with eight points in 12 October games.

Meanwhile, Holtz saw limited ice time in Vegas, averaging 11 minutes 35 seconds per game

over 53 outings for four goals and eight assists.

Schmid appeared in just five regular season games, plus one playoff reliefs then, while

struggling in the minors.

The Devils used the pick on promising power forward, Mason Moe, 90 overall, now at the

University of Minnesota.

For now, New Jersey looks like the winner, gaining a reliable hitter and depth prospect,

though Holtz and Schmid could still break out.

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