Devils Trade Schmid & Holtz to Golden Knights, Acquire Paul Cotter

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LAS VEGAS, N.V. -- New Jersey Devils aren't done yet.

The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun was the first to report that New Jersey traded goaltender Akira Schmid to the Vegas Golden Knights. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman quickly followed up on LeBrun's report, saying Alexander Holtz was also part of the deal.

The organization made the deal official minutes later, confirming Holtz and Schmid were traded to the Golden Knights in exchange for forward Paul Cotter and a 3rd-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.

Cotter is 24 years old and has spent the past three seasons with Vegas. He has appeared in 138 career NHL games and has 45 points (22 goals, 23 assists). Last season, he earned a career-high 18 assists. Listed as a center, he has a career face-off win percentage of 47.4%.

The Canton, Michigan native is under contract through the 2025-26 season with a cap hit of $775,000. He will be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights at the conclusion of his deal.

Holtz recently wrapped up his first full season in the NHL. The 22-year-old appeared in all 82 games and earned 28 points (16 goals, 12 assists). The Swedish winger has 34 points in 110 career games.

Schmid appeared in 19 games for the Devils in the 2023-24 season, winning five contests. He concludes his tenure in New Jersey with a 2.90 goals-against average and .899 save percentage.