Now that Mason McTavish has re-signed with the Anaheim Ducks on a long-term deal, only three restricted free agents remain. Two of them were top New Jersey Devils draft picks in successive years.
We all know about Luke Hughes and the long-term contract that everyone says is coming but hasn't happened yet. The Devils have preseason games against the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday and Saturday, respectively, so who knows when this one is getting done?
Out West, though, is another former high Devils draft pick in the form of Alexander Holtz, who still hasn't agreed to a new contract with the Vegas Golden Knights. Holtz, 23, has actually been playing preseason games with the Golden Knights while signed to a professional tryout offer, and even wore an 'A' on his sweater in Friday's preseason game against the San Jose Sharks.
The Devils traded Holtz and goalie Akira Schmid to Vegas last summer for Paul Cotter, and in his first season in Sin City, Holtz still had to split time between the NHL and AHL.
The former No. 7 overall pick played 53 games for the Golden Knights last season, scoring four goals, eight assists, and 12 points, and added seven goals, six assists, and 13 points in 16 games with the AHL Henderson Silver Knights.
For the sake of comparison, Holtz played all 82 games for the Devils in 2023-24, scoring a respectable 16 goals, 12 assists, and 28 points while primarily pigeonholed in a bottom-six role.
It's unclear if Holtz will even have a role on a Golden Knights team that now features Mitch Marner in addition to Mark Stone, breakout star Pavel Dorofeyev, and fourth-line staple Keegan Kolesar.
Decisions will have to be made, to be sure, but good on Holtz for playing on a tryout without a contract in the situation he's in. And, just imagine if he gets that contract before Luke Hughes does.