NJ Devils Trade Akira Schmid & Alexander Holtz To Vegas Golden Knights For WHAT?!?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 มิ.ย. 2024
- The New Jersey Devils have traded goaltender Akira Schmid and forward Alexander Holtz to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for forward Paul Cotter and a 2025 3rd Round Pick.
Alex Holtz has finally been freed.
I AM STUNNED.
COMPLETELY STUNNED!
So much to talk about, I don't even know where to begin...
I discuss this and more in this video.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
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#njdevils #akiraschmid #newjerseydevils #alexanderholtz #schmid #holtz #devilstrade #devils #vegasgoldenknights #goldenknights #paulcotter #cotter #vgk #vgkhockey #nhldraft #nhltrade #nhltrades #tomfitzgerald #nhldraft24 #nhldraft2024 #njdevilspodcast #newjerseydevilspodcast #nhl #hockey #nhlfreeagency - กีฬา
Paul Cotter had 2nd most hits on Vegas last year.
We are getting heavier...check.
We are getting harder to play against...check.
We are getting more violent....check.
Holtz was a metric nightmare.
Schmid was never going to live up to that Ranger defeat in the playoffs.
The main reason why this trade is shocking, is because we (New Jersey Devils Fans) have been way overvaluing our pieces.
I have heard Holtz is moving in a deal for months....noone wanted him. He was packaged with Schmid to move him out before his ELC3 are done and we need to find RFA numbers for him.
My opinion will be unpopulsr, I get it. We got rid of a first round dud in Holtz.
Paul Cotter is a bottom six player that will play on the bottom six. Paul Cotter has won a Stanley Cup. Paul Cotter will vie for hit leader on our team. Heavier, harder to play against, more violent.
We need to see past goals and assists. The bottom six uses many other metrics beyond those two. Paul Cotter has metrics that are bottom six strong. Holtz had metrics that were top six weak, and he was playing bottom six where he had no value to us.
Heavier, harder to play against, more violent. Look through this lense before judgement.
@matthewwarnke170 I like what Cotter brings. For sure! And you know I love the checklist. HEAVIER, EDGIER, MORE VIOLENT! But did we have to pay THIS much for it?!? Cotter or a guy like him was not available elsewhere for cheaper?!? Maybe we did overvalue Holtz. But I wasn't going to give up on him at *22* years of age. Especially when Keefe was coming in this season. I was hoping Holtz would elevate his game under Sheldon. I wonder if Holtz' value not being so great has something to do with the fact that Fitzgerald publicly RIPPED HIM APART in a Press Conference last season?!? I was furious at the time when it happened, and I am furious now. What a stroke of genius there by Fitz. I will just keep repeating HEAVIER, EDGIER, MORE VIOLENT in hopes I become less enraged about this deal as time goes on...
@runninwiththedevils I hear you Brother, and my heart agrees 100%.
It is my mind whispering that eggs need to be broken to make a cake that keeps me in hope of a good outcome from this.
In the anatomy of a good trade an asset will have more value to your trade partner then it will to you. I believe Holtz fits this mold for us.
Hotlz is a Vegas project now.
Schmid is a legend for what he did for us, but we have apparently tapped Daws as the future.
Fitz is trying to bake a cake. I am loving the highs and lows.
It was sad that we could not find a way to see what Keefe could do with Holtz. I am pleased to see Fitz making us nastier.
I wish these gentlemen luck, and I pray to see Zadorov with devil horns in red and black being not so gentlemanly with our opponents on opening night.
Love the New Jersey Devils!
and...
I love how you love the New Jersey Devils and we can lose our shit on the details, as long as we get the results.
I don't know enough about the guy but this is exactly what I thought. Big hard hitter
@shaneconnors4074 Yeah Shane , big nasty kid. 233 hits last year for Vegas. Second most on their team. Won a Sranley Cup with them.
Only metric lacking a bit was faceoffs at 47.5% but that tends to happen for younger guys as faceoff is an art and not dominated by strength/aggression. He will learn and improve.
Cotter is a fine replacement for McCloud with an upside on physicality and room to grow on faceoffs.
I don't agree.
Ace this was it for me. I tried to be positive and had some faith in Fitz’s and it’s completely gone after today. If you can defend this move chances are you probably think Biden is doing great job too.
@mattjones1460 The defenders are here among us!
Really appreciate the time and work you put into TH-cam. You’ve become my favorite Devils TH-camr bar none and I tend to agree with almost everything you say
@Surl9596 Thanks for watching! LET'S GO DEVILS!!!
As a Pens fan, I was very surprised to see both Schmid and Holtz go. I’m not sure how Schmid pans out in VGK, but I agree Holtz will be a star.
Vegas’ track record in developing prospects and maximizing their potential suggest you might actually be right after all!! 🤯🤯
@samuelfrick3475 Painful trade
No chance Holtz becomes a star. He just doesn't have the hockey IQ or compete. He could become a good scorer.
@@rme2986 at the very least, he becomes a good hockey player because of that goal scoring upside. He’s clearly better than Cotter.
@@samuelfrick3475 No, not exactly. He needs to develop to not be a liability on defense. And looking at the points per nhl games played he's not clearly better than Cotter either, he just has more upside but he's no longer a prospect, just a young player that better develop fast or he'll be left in the AHL.
@@rme2986 Vegas is the one team that could fix his defensive issues. Bruce Cassidy is a defense-first coach. So it can definitely work out. I’m sorry but I’m much higher on Holtz than I’ll ever be with Cotter.
Cotter is a solid 4th liner with size, but does not have the ceiling
The cap went up. Bottom 6ers with a Ring is going to cost 3 to 4 million. We got one for 2.3 million for 2 years. He hits and we need more physicality. Fitz needs every dime for July 1st. You wanted grit this is the shit you get.
@tidusdream12 I wanted grit, but I never fathomed paying this type of price for it
You got your win now move buddy so respectfully stop complaining. Schmid was our 4th goalie and holtz never was going to workout with us
@Brandon-tj1oo That is a WIN NOW move?!? Sorry, I can't get excited about this trade. The overwhelming majority agrees with me. I would have taken Cotter, but not at the price we paid.
Bruh you don’t even have to respond to these fucking dumbasses. There’s nothing about this trade that is “Win now”. It’s a pick for next year and a below average bottom 6 forward.
@@runninwiththedevils I mean acquiring a big bottom 6 guy is definitely a win now move especially when trading away under performing young assets
Paid too much! Holtz could have been easily used in another deal to obtain a win now piece. Embarrassing trade on Fitz!
@@Gruckle30 Holtz isn’t even good. He couldn’t even crack the worlds roster which had none nhl guys on. We put way too much value into him. He’s a one dimensional player
I’m a VGK fan and I’m the opposite of the beginning of your angle of the video and I’m not familiar with the new assets of the VGK but you guys are definitely going to like Cotter because he has offense to his game and is physical too.
@andykanani5671 I hope Cotter is a MONSTER for us. You got a project in both guys. Holtz has shown flashes of brilliance in his time with the Devils. Lethal shot. He was in the doghouse of the ENTIRE Devils organization and could never break out of it. He has top 6 potential, 25-30 goals. He got 16 last year with minimal ice time and opportunity. Akira Schmid literally won a playoff round for the Devils in 2023. Our starting goalie at the time, Vitek Vanecek had a terrible series against the Rangers. We fell in an 0-2 hole with HOME ICE! We went to Schmid and he won Games 3 and 4 in a HOSTILE Madison Square Garden. We went on to win the series in 7 at home. Schmid had a shutout. Last season he was mismanaged by the Devils and played behind an absolutely atrocious defense. I think at worst case he is a solid 1B/Backup goalie in the league. Best case he becomes a legitimate starter one day.....
i literally posted on my story a question mark. Thank Akira for the greatness last year and hopefully Holtz gets the playing time he deserves
@jayviation7879 Akira will always be a legend in my book for that series alone!
He didn’t deserve any time here he lacked effort every day and coaches and teammates saw it. He got benched all the time for a reason
Sad but true
This is so bizarre. Schmid was the goalie of the future. Going with Markstrom and Allen but no goalie of the future. Alex Holtz was 22 and it seems a little early to give up on Holtz.
@biffstrong1079 He was at least in the mix to become the goalie of the future. I think the organization was higher on Daws, and Schmid was unhappy here. It is unfortunate the way it all played out...
@@runninwiththedevils Feels like there was more to be had for these guys. Vegas moved on from Logan Thompson but can slot Schmid unto the depth chart. It feels like they just gave Holtz away. Were they just too lazy to negotiate RFA contracts?
If they had traded for Logan Thompson I'd have been happy. actual functional above average NHl goalie Still on that entry level priced contract.
@biffstrong1079 I agree. It seemed like an easy out for the organization to rid themselves of headaches. I was shocked what Thompson went for. I wish the Devils pulled the trigger on THAT deal
Was waiting for this one!
@colbymannion9581 You knew it was coming
This trade is a prelude to more moves. There is more to come.
@user-lj9dd5os1x I can only hope you are right....what are you thinking?!?
As an outsider I was surprised at the deal at first but it makes sense after some time. Schmidt for a 3rd is fair (Thompson only returned 2 3rds) and moving Holtz for a gritty role player is ugly on the surface but makes sense team building wise. I don't know a ton about Holtz but he clearly doesn't have much value among GMs and I sense the NJ fan base is kind of blind to his weaknesses in a way. Trying to fit a one dimensial scorer into a lineup can be torture and at some point you need to just move on. That's my take on it anyway.
@randdomize858 Fair assessment. But I thought the cumulative value of the 2 of them was much more than just Cotter and a 3rd. I guess the entire league is down on Holtz. MAYBE it has something to do with the fact that our inept General Manager completely ripped him apart in a Press Conference last season?!?
@@runninwiththedevils Yeah I totally understand that feeling of finally moving a young guy you hoped had value and not getting the return you expected- it's brutal. What where the comments made about him?
@@runninwiththedevilsholtz was valued like that since last year. When the sharks didn't take him. That showed how he was viewed
The fact we drafted Holtz and Not Askarov is unforgivable everyone in the organization who made that decision should be let go….
@JoshO-ro7ek A MASSIVE drafting misstep. Major indictment on the Scouting Department for sure. And after whiffing with that #7 pick, we gave it away to VGK
Just wanted to let you know, I am okay. 😅 I've known this was coming for months and months. He did say Vegas was his favorite arena and I'm just glad he didn't end up on a team I don't like. He will always be my favorite player and I hope he is happy there and treated well! I guess I'm an honorary Golden Knights fan now. ❤
@madsn1057 Condolences to you! I know you loved Akira, as did I. This is a dark, dark day
"I was wrong about Fitz, he's exceeded all my expectations, we have an amazing team (on paper)" were your words as you pop a bottle of champagne to cheers Fitz last year.
So first let me say... Chill! Clearly things change. My heart literally dropped into my stomach when I saw this trade, but I've since recovered. It's a tough pill to swallow trading Holtz before his ELC is even up. He *might've* improved with another full season & more minutes in Utica, he *might've* improved under Keefe, but there's still a chance he's another Gusev that won't make the adjustments or improve to make it in the NHL. I think after being in the doghouse he probably wanted out, his value is at an all-time low, he's been shopped for a LONG time (neither Calgary or San Jose wanted him) and we simply got what we could. Fitz isn't interested in holding onto players that don't want to play here, it sounds like Schmid was a casualty because of that too.
Your words on the Sharangovich/Toffoli trade were: "One of the bigger heists in a long time" "An absolute masterclass in being an NHL GM by Fitz"
But trading Toffoli for Sharangovich was BY FAR was worse for the organization. He was a 25-year-old RFA so we were never in danger of losing him. He skates faster than Toffoli, has a wicked wrist shot (better than Holtz) that we never utilized on the struggling powerplay because he was also being a great penalty killer. Then he signed in Calgary for 3.1m AND put up more points than Toffoli last year (with only 2 less goals) on a WORSE team. The return on Toffoli definitely didn't make the trade any better. He didn't re-sign with the Jets either so he's going to be an expensive free agent come Monday and someone likely will give him double what Sharangovich signed for in Calgary. Sharangovich is 6 years younger and we basically traded a 30+ Goal scorer that will likely get 60+ points next season for... a 3rd this year and a 2nd next year. That one HURTS.
I fully blame the shoddy deployment of both Sharangovich & Holtz on Lindy Ruff more than Fitz. Holtz had one good season in Utica, was injured for half of the next season and then thrown to the wolves in the NHL last year. After his injury he should have played another full season in Utica to see if he could replicate his first season success, instead Ruff benched him after every mistake and completely destroyed his morale.
I liked Akira Schmid too, but he had higher than 3 GAA and less than .900 save % in UTICA last season. His numbers were almost exactly the same as Daws. If Daws wants to stay and Schmid wants to go then good riddance. We only have 2 spots in Utica, we have Markstrom for 2 seasons... There's time to work on Daws and find a Schmid replacement hence why they drafted some more goalies. I'm definitely not mad at drafting the #1 NA goalie prospect this year. Thanks Marino! Gave you a like anyway my dude.
@Dracast13 Don't remind me. That is nauseating. My heart dropped into my stomach too, and I still haven't recovered. I wanted to at least see an audition period under Keefe before we dumped him off for pennies on the dollar. I loved the Shara/Toff trade at the time. That is a true WIN NOW move. Unfortunately it aged horribly. He was a casualty of our incredible forward depth at the time. and I didn't think the organization would leapfrog him over most of the guys in front of him. The sad return on Toffoli definitely made the trade even worse. I do think the team mismanaged both Holtz and Schmid. Once we sent Schmid down that last time, I think he was mentally broken. He sucked in Utica too after that. Demoralizing. Next year's Utica tandem will be Daws and Poulter. I really thought one of the 5 (now 4) goalies could pan out and be the next guy. Apparently they still wanted to draft a goalie. Is this not ANOTHER condemnation of the Scouting Department?!? Whiffing on a #7 overall with Holtz, and whiffing on several goalies drafted?!? I am scarred mannnnnnnnnnnnnnn
@@runninwiththedevils Yeah... Unfortunately Toffoli didn't win now... Twice! I wouldn't be mad at a sweetheart deal to bring him back but I'm guessing someone will overpay for him. I don't think we have the best scouts but they're not the worst. Slightly above middle of the league but who really knows. I don't remember anyone saying Holtz was a bad pick in 2020. Hard to pass on the guy who "has the best/NHL ready shot" in the draft. Give it 3 seasons in Vegas and I guess we'll find out!
Consistent, quality goaltending is a scarce commodity currently. Even Bobrovsky hasn't been consistent. At least we haven't gambled on anyone like the Murray, Kuemper, Campbell, or Korpisalo deals. Desperation deals, all of them! Goalies seem to take longer to develop now than the elite forwards dunking on them. Saros cooked under/with Rinne for 5 years before starting more than half the games in a season. Dustin Wolf cooked plenty in the AHL, but his NHL starts haven't been spectacular (yet). Too early to tell about Askarov. Plus plenty of teams have been going through the goalie roulette, just like head coaches. Markstrom is a short-term solution so again, I don't mind us drafting a "top" goalie prospect with a 2nd/3rd round pick until someone on the team shows they're worth a 7 or 8 year contract.
I had the same initial reaction, but the more I thought about it the more this makes sense. Holtz value drop substantially since he was drafted. Obviously, nobody was willing to give us more than a really good young fourth liner for him. And Schmid has had only a handful of good NHL starts and a lot oh inconsistency so we got a third rounder for him. I guess the organization saw daws as the better option. We definitely need guys like Cotter to turn our charmin soft team into a reasonably tough one
@devilsandchargersfan385 I love Cotter and what he brings, I just hate the price we paid. I hope he is a monster for us.
You wanted “WIN NOW” pieces well you got it now. Cotter is gonna be a very solid replacement heavy hitting player. He replaced what Holtz doesn’t bring to play physically, and being a stronger player defensively. If Keefe helps Cotter to score more points than usual this would be a win for us.
@headsuphockeypodcast2707 I like what Cotter brings for sure. And I love the checklist Fitz laid out lasr week. HEAVIER, EDGIER, MORE VIOLENT! But did we have to pay THIS much for it?!? Cotter or a guy like him was not available elsewhere for cheaper?!? Maybe Holtz IS going to be a bust. But I wasn't going to give up on him at 22 years of age. Especially when Keefe was coming in this season. I was hoping Holtz would elevate his game under Sheldon. I wonder if Holtz' value not being so great has something to do with the fact that Fitzgerald publicly RIPPED HIM APART in a Press Conference last season?!? I was furious at the time when it happened, and I am furious now. What a stroke of genius there by Fitz. I hope Cotter is a complete animal for us
Good comment!
the nhl gm’s continually help out the golden knights like it’s their job. I don’t get it???
@ameraceffj Vegas is moving to try to win the Cup every season. I am jealous of their fans
Did we over pay? Yes but I feel like the hitter we got we probably paid for it. This guy will slam bodies. Yes we could of got something cheaper but will that guy put up the hit numbers like cotter does
@brandonthomas8787 I hope he is an absolute ANIMAL and changes the team more than we could imagine.
You wanted sandpaper ace. This is the start of a new crash type line. Have to see how it plays out. He is a hitting machine and he is fast. Schmid was going to hold out I can tell you that factually but Holtz was not going to get a good shot. Don’t be dissapointed yet
This is a reason to be fired for making this trade.
People will be laughing at us 10 years from now on worst NHL trade videos.
At least you could have tried to get some value for Holtzy but to get garbage is pathetic
It’s not us you don’t work for the team. They are working to build the best roster possible to win. Holtz was gone no matter what. Did you know they got offered multiple times in last two days a number 5 next year for him??? This is what the league valued him at. Getting a hit machine to make the team heavier is what fans asked for. Cotter upside is high, watch what happens before anyone judges. This is why people in this business avoid these interactions except at controlled events.
Watch and see how it plays out on the ice
@@chriswilson4980 great comment 👍
@@chriswilson4980than why did Fitzgerald draft Holtz with a 7th overall pick??
@DreWhite100 because noone can predict the future.?.?
Let’s see what he does on Monday with the cap space we have … guarantee your gonna see more additions of big talented guys to compete with Carolina and others
@jasonrakoci I think Pesce and Dillon on defense are going to be our major Free Agency moves....I hope Fitz shocks me and makes some substantial moves, but I do not know anymore
@@runninwiththedevils I agree with that …
Paul Cotter will probably be a fan favorite here. It’s still too much to give up for a bottom six plug.
@cristianof812 He is my kind of guy, but we got taken to the cleaners here!
Look at Kyle Palmeris stats before the Devils traded for him. This guy could put up career numbers in NJ. What did Holtz do that this team needed? And what was Schmid gonna do as 3rd or 4th on the depth chart?
@LitlBUBS I wasn't against trading either guy. I am mad that we gave them away
Definitely seems like we could've gotten more for Holtz. Cotter is a gamer tho and will be a good fit. I'm sure we'll be flipping the 3rd rounder too.
@rme2986 I think Cotter could be a good fit, but this price seems beyond excessive to me
@@runninwiththedevils Yep, but at least Cotter is young, decent at faceoffs and let's see what we do with the 3rd round pick. Sucks to see Holtz go for this return but I bet once the season starts we're gonna start to feel different.
Holtz has absolutely no value. Left off the Swedish national team in favor of 3 non-NHLers, passed over by SJ in favor of Muk and Zetterlund, passed over by Calgary for Bahl. He is the most overrated prospect the devils have had in a long time.
The devils could not have. They were offered 5th round next year for him by 6 different teams. Just a fact. League thinks holtz is lazy with very limited upside. He also works like a lazy bum in his off season camp. Come watch him before you leave stupid comments
@@chriswilson4980I have watched him, and he worked very hard on his skating last offseason. Yours is the dumb comment.
Just because he could be a top 6 winger doesn’t mean he would be an elite top 6. To win cups you can’t just fill holes at the top of your lineup. You need elite player up there. Hopefully fitz has an eye on an elite guy to get in that top 6. Lineup will look solid with the rumored dmen
And cotter is a young guy too. Check out his play, he has a lot of talent
@grahamconklin5464 I hope Fitz shocks us all with some acquisitions, but my expectations are very low right now...
This is a brilliant trade. For Vegas!! Holtz is a potential sniper who’s gonna be a 30 goal scorer. We have 20 million in cap
Room they better be in on some of the top forwards or this is a disaster
@jamesisrael4294 Don't get too excited. A good chunk of that money is already spoken for with Dillon and Pesce. I really hope Fitz makes a few signings that give me hope. Right now I am in a depression
I'm not a Fitz fan but schmid and holtz would be looking for more money next year. I like the idea to get rid of good players to make room for great players. It's too early to comment on the entire picture of these trades.
@tercomediacorp8994 On the surface is screams OVERPAYMENT. It also signifies wasting a #7 overall pick. Pulling the plug on Holtz at *22* years old?!? C'MONNNN. I hope Cotter is an animal for us and makes me change my view on this trade
Wanted to see what Holtz could do under Keefe, but Fitzgerald wasn't a Holtz fan either. A goalie had to be moved eventually. Only so many spots.
@btk22279 Agreed, just wish we got a better return for these guys
Also because it sounds like you know hockey, you got a new subscriber! Don’t worry I won’t troll you guys, even if I’m a loyal Pens fan!
@samuelfrick3475 WELCOME! All are welcome here! Please pardon my angry outbursts, but these are going to be a tough few days for many of us Devils fans around here. Tom Fitzgerald is FAILING BIGTIME
@@runninwiththedevilsas someone that had to deal with……….ugh….Ron Hextall, I totally understand your frustrations!
Narrows eyes at penguin fan....welcome.... 👀
I defended Fitzy on using the 10th pick, but this trade is indefensible.
@bradk7836 I didn't kill him for using the pick, I was just disappointed. I am glad more people are seeing the light...
@runningwiththedevils, forget all of of what I said before. WHAT THE ACTUAL F***?!?!?!?! Is Fitz f****** drunk?!?! This guy is insane!! Holtz alone should have given us at least a 2nd rounder if not a 1st! I'm speechless bro!
@Poweranalytics2022 Holtz value was apparently WAYYYYY down. It is a damn shame. I wasn't ready to give up on him at *22* years old yet. But here we are.....
@@runninwiththedevils what a piece of Sh** this dude! If i could speak to you, you could not even imagine the words i'm using right now. My mother tongue is Italian (not sure if you speak it) but this is OUTRAGEOUS!
@@runninwiththedevils unbelievable! Fitz has lost his mind!
People are saying holtz sucks but they stuck him on the 4th line the entire time and he still scored. What did new jersey brass expect? Never had the opportunity
@adw6296 I think the Devils pulled the plug on the Holtz experiment too soon
@runninwiththedevils no doubt. Look at Sharo. Holtz will be a 30 goal scorer. Ruff mismanaged holtz and Fitz did too. Fitz is trash. I wanted to see holtz atleast play with keefe for a year to see what's up. This is beyond inexcusable to trade a 7th overall pick 3 years ago for a 25 point 4th liner. We could've gotten him for a 3rd rd pick.
Holtz was left off Sweden's World's roster, he was rejected by the Sharks in the Meier trade, and he was rejected by the Flames in the Markstrom deal. As much as it's easy (and fun) to blame Lindy for putting Holtz in the dog house, maybe Holtz is the problem? We can't possibly know everything, but being left off the World's roster and rejected by not 1 but 2 teams is telling. As for Schmid, he requested out and the clogged goalie pipeline now opens (somewhat). On paper this trade looks bad, but Cotter fills a need - had 50 more hits than the Devils hits leader, Schmid gets out from a logjam, and we get some value from Holtz whose stock is only plummeting. I'm fine with this trade.
This^
People are putting too much stock in Holtz. Both of these players had to go. Schmid will always be remembered as the Rags killer and Holtz as the problem child. Glad the drama is over and the team can move forward.
@salvatoredibrita1028 Holtz not making Sweden was troublesome to me. I never thought he would be traded for pennies on the dollar though. Maybe Holtz is the problem. Maybe he figures it out. He is only *22* years old. Do you know what didn't help?!? Fitzgerald openly ripping him apart in a Press Conference last season. I like the notion of Cotter and what he brings. I just do not comprehend how we couldn't get a guy like him for cheaper, elsewhere. Holtz value clearly plummeted to pennystock levels. I wish we got wayyy more value for these two.
@@runninwiththedevils Expecting more for him is natural, especially as fans of him/ the Devils we tend to value our guys more, but maybe the rest of the league just didn't see the value (at least 2 GMs didn't see the value). Like another comment said, Holtz didn't work on with Hischier, Hughes, or on the PP. He just needs a change of scenery. Cotter's contract is at $775K, so hard to find someone cheaper lol. on paper this trade looks awful, but all parties involved here come out winners
Dork, Holtz was injured during the Timo trade.
Holtz has more talent in his pinky than this clown Cotter.
Now factor in Schmid.
STOP embarrassing yourself
@@yoholmes273Schmid was leaving anyway. We got something out of nothing for him. Holtz is a different story that the fans will never know the reason for his burial in NJ.
Both had to go.
Hope you eat your words when this next season plays out. Devils didn’t need a drama case on their team regardless of fault.
There's been countless signs that Holtz wasn't as valuable as fans thought. Personally i didn't want to draft him at all, he was a one trick pony and i didn't really see it. First our coaches didn't want to play him, he didn't deserve it. Other GMs didn't want him in trades (SJ preferred Mukhs and Zetterlund) and Sweden didn't even want him on their team while taking Zetterlund and a bunch of non-NHLers. So overall i don't think anyone wanted him and that's why that's all we got for him
@steriodesign Apparently Holtz' value was nonexistent. I wanted to see him get an audition of sorts under Keefe, before shipping out a *22* year old who we wasted a *#7* overall pick on!
Drafting is not an exact science in hockey it’s very hard. A pick or two a year work out as expected. No one wasted the pick he was highly touted as a high schooler in a foreign land that barely allows hitting. He was a one trick pony who failed to take the needed next steps. I like him as a guy a lot very personable and I wish him the best but he wrote his own ticket here. It’s just what happens
Paul does have a lot of potential but i completely agree with you we got fleeced bad
@ajvalero11 Yupppppppp
I’m literally stunned!! I guess we have to see what Fitzgeralds plan is.Unless they really wanted Paul Cotter I have no idea why on Gods green earth you ever make this trade!!! Why?? Holy Hell!!
@DreWhite100 FITZGERALD HAS NO PLAN! NONE!
@@runninwiththedevilsHe’s too busy in the heli with Harris.
Maybe because people that know more than us know that Holtzy and Akira are done??? Holtzy had ZERO value in this trade market.
We have to get bigger now or we will never compete in the new NHL or ever get the cup… little and quick is old school
Big and quick and talented is now the new NHL… it’s the same reason Hughes stuggles in the playoffs we need big guys to help him on his line so he can produce too
@jasonrakoci Would be nice....my expectations for Fitz are super low right now
Initially I was shocked, but I'm fine with the trade. I think a lot of Devils fans, including myself, have overvalued and made too many excuses for Holtz. There's a reason multiple coaches benched him and the Sweden team cut him. The fact is that Holtz isn't as good as we think and he doesn't hold a lot of value, because if he was, there would have been a line of teams looking to get him. At least Cotter will be a middle six contributor and can give NJ a physical element.
@giantsfan185 Holtz is still only 22! 22 years old! I like Cotter, but HATE the price we paid...
@@runninwiththedevils You'll forget all about Holtz once Gritysuk gets here next year lol
I am honestly stunned by this move. I didn’t know that this was fitzys idea of big game hunting. Paul Cotters hit stats are great but for a very promising goalie and a potential top six forward. Holtz didn’t get a real shot he was always in the doghouse and the same is kinda said for schmid. He didn’t get his fair share of games this season. He did struggle but all of our goalies struggled. I am happy we are getting grittier and more violent especially in the bottom six forward group. I just didn’t want to give up schmid and holtz for it to happen. Schmid will always have a special place in my heart for what he did in the playoffs. This trade honestly makes my blood boil knowing that we traded promising players for a pick and Paul Cotter!
@CatherineJacob-uu7dc This is certainly NOT Big Game Hunting. I like Cotter and what he will bring, but I HATE the price we paid.
@@runninwiththedevils Same I loved Schmid and Holtz. They had amazing potential and both didn’t get a fair chance at the nhl level.
**curls up in fetal position**
Yeah. That's all I got.
@hahayeahokaynope It's a rough one for sure
I love it!!! He’s bigger and we need size…plus great hands
Holtz is good but with this new line up he was always gonna be the odd man out…
Don’t forget we get a 3rd round pick too that we can use or trade for a needed piece on Monday possibly
@jasonrakoci I like the player, HATE the price
We couldnt keep Scmid and Daws..So Scmid gone..Drafted 2 goalies..I wanted Holtz so bad to become something but it just didnt look like it..i think some ppl get blinded by draft position..if ae did a re-draft they would be drafted much closer together
@beammeup1930 Couldn't get better value for either guy?!? Pulling the plug on Holtz at *22* years old?!? At a minimum this was a COMPLETE WASTE of a #7 overall pick. I wasn't in love with him because of his draft position. I was rooting for him because I saw potential there, as did MANY other fans. What a sad ending to both of their Devils' careers....
@@runninwiththedevils..Trust me I agree with 99.9% of your video but I'm just trying to look at their side of making a move like this..idk if rumors are true how we tried trading Holtz and no one really wanted him..I just can't wrap my head around why not just keeping him a giving him a full year under Keefe and see what he can do
@beammeup1930 I would have liked to have given him a year under Keefe before throwing him away. I hope this somehow means Fitz has a grand plan to fix the roster, but at this point I just can't see it
19 hours ago you released a video talking about wanting win-now pieces instead of future investments with drafting Silayev, and this exactly that.
I like Schmid and Holtz, but Schmid isn't going to even see the NHL net next year and would have to battle it out the following year with all the other AHL goalies to maybe see the net, assuming we don't extend Allen's contract/get a 1b goalie to at least finish off Markstrom's contract. Meanwhile, Holtz is still a huge work in progress that is starting to look like a potential dud. Maybe the regime change would have helped him, but maybe not. It's not worth the risk compared to having a hard hitting cup winner on the team.
Edit: I think in a year from now, there's a good chance that this is seen as the Devils doing some house keeping and nothing more.
@LRon-Hoyabembe Sorry, but getting fleeced in a trade for Paul Cotter screams more "let's be competitive" than "WIN NOW" IMO. I believe we could have gotten a player like him elsewhere for cheaper. If we were going to give Holtz away, I would have rather given him some time this upcoming season under Keefe to see if he can elevate his game. He is still only *22* years old. At a minimum, this is a MASSIVE indictment on our Scouting Department for wasting a #7 overall pick on him.
@@runninwiththedevilsI’ll agree on the scouting department screwing this up.
@TravelinDevil76 There has to be SOME accountability SOMEWHERE
@@runninwiththedevils Fair. I do agree that "win now" is a bit extreme for the player he is. With that said, I still think we would have seen more overall promise in Holtz if he was about to get comfortable in the NHL. I'm not going to pretend his first full season was kosher, but we didn't see anything close to what a top 20 rookie, let alone #7 OA pick.
It goes beyond the NHL, too. He didn't event get a place on Team Sweden for the worlds, and they had like no NHL players on their team.
I do really think that this is one the scouting department for should be held responsible for. We could have had a player closer to Bedard than a bottom 6 guy.
Cotter makes $775,000 annually and is signed through the 2025-26 season. I love this move. Holtz was going no where with this team and they lost all confidence in Schmid. Remember you said we have 5 goalies in the pipeline. Im glad.
Its funny, Im not a huge Fitz fan but I like this move. Fitz and Ruff bashed Holtz on a live mike, so what do you think he was going to get for him. Fitz fucked that up, so....
@PirateTijuanaJoe I like Cotter, but not at this price. Holtz' value was so low that we couldn't get more for him?!? Schmid is THE ONLY GOALIE WE HAD THAT WON A PLAYOFF ROUND (OR EVEN GAME FOR THAT MATTER) IN A DEVILS JERSEY! How quick everyone forgets! He looked shaky last year behind an atrocious defense. All of the goalies we dressed did!
@@runninwiththedevils I agree, but were moving into 24/25 now. Holtz wasnt seeing more ice time and schmid became the odd man out. They broke schmid like they broke every goaltender before him. Blame his buddy Ruff and thank goodness he is finally gone.
@PirateTijuanaJoe I am depressed
12:32 “They must be the Fitz loyalists” 😂😂😂
@colbymannion9581 They are HERE, among us!
Holtz began the year on Hischiers wing, but couldn't get going. He was then put with Hughes, but still nothing. He was tried on the PP, but failed there. Holtz couldn't even make team Sweden this spring. Was the Swedish coach out to get him too?. His failure is on him, he was warned before this season. Cotter has over 300 hits, and is young. He will give better value than Holtz, especially in the bottom 6. Cotter is a dog.
@ADB358 Fair points, but the kid is still only 22!!! WTF?!? Saying he will never cut it so early?!? I like the potential of Cotter. I do not like what we paid. Insane return IMO
Everyone keeps making excuses for Holtz, I used to be one of them. Everything you said is true, at what point is it Holtz's fault for his failures? My only disappointment is that I wanted Nic Roy instead lol.
Ruff constant line shuffling never let the kid create chemistry. Kid played with chris tierney most of the year.
As a VGK fan Cotter is an underrated player. You will be very happy with him. Hate to see him go.
@surfsunsand I hope he does great for the Devils. I just hate what we sent for him...
@@runninwiththedevils think of it this way, Cotter shines and will get more in return for a trade. Let the player gain value.
This one hurt! Unless he pulls a big miracle on Monday I lost all faith in him 🤦🏻!
@isaacf9401 Hoping for a MIRACLE MONDAY as well...
@@runninwiththedevils is it me, or what fitz says and what he does 2 different things? He’s supposedly in win now get grit n toughness. But nothing he’s really done supports any of it.
@isaacf9401 That is the MOST frustrating part for me. He says the sh!t he knows people want to hear. But then he doesn't back it up. If you talk the talk, you MUST WALK THE WALK!
I felt you couldve used at least Holtz as part of a package for a top 6 winger or top 4 dman. I dont blame you one bit for this trade, if the Sens did something like this I'd be livid
@sens_outlook Appreciate the outside perspective. Some (the minority for sure) are telling me I am crazy and overreacting. I don't think I am at all....
Your right about Alexander Holtz yet Akira is everybody Blackwood and how you guys liked Vanecek. He was never gonna be anything. Sucks though yet Akira had his moment that's it. Vanecek had moments as well l.
@SteveDave211 I still think Schmid may be a fine goalie....we gave him away
Might turn into the next Tom Wilson. Let’s see what he can give us, before you kill the move. At least he’s won a cup.
@johnm8096 I like the idea of what Cotter can bring here. I just don't see how there wasn't a cheaper way to get a guy like him
New Jersey is a tough State right next to my hometown NY the toughest of towns in America! This team was way too soft this season! McDermaid and Cotter now makes us officially no longer labeled a soft team! Cotter brings fear to this team now, he backs down from nobody! Holtz is soft and way too big to be soft! He just waits for things to happen instead of taking it! Nobody wanted Holtz in all our trade rumors this past season! Good riddance! Smhid won’t ever be anything more than a backup and was trash this year giving up soft goal after soft goal! And lastly, we have no clue yet how good that 3 round pick will be! We’re getting bigger and nastier to play against! We get a legitimate #1 goalie and 2 defensive Stallworts then we’re going deep in the playoffs next year cause Dougie Hamilton back automatically has us back in the playoffs!
Moving Holtz was an absolute stinger & I was really hoping the Devils could unlock his true potential even though he did had his chances (or atleast after when Lindy got fired) but Akira I could live with even as I am forever grateful of him beating the Rangers in the first round of the playoffs the Devils have drafted multiple goalies so from that view it almost seemed inevitable plus Daws is considerably the better goalie & will likely be their third string goalie so I’m atleast glad Nico wasn’t included in this trade
Cotter is young & has the 2nd highest hit count from last season who also lowkey makes the likes of Rempe look like a bitch imo. He can make this team tougher which I would have to presume that’s the next big goal for Fitz to do. Cotter is also about to be coached by Keefe who is known in developing young players reaching their true potential which that part makes me upset when thinking about Holtz being moved out. 😪
Overall, I see this trade being one of those “let’s just wait & see” like the Jake Allen move which now we have a #2 goalie for next season!
@Angelo_Productions I like what Cotter brings for sure. And I love the checklist Fitz laid out lasr week. HEAVIER, EDGIER, MORE VIOLENT! But did we have to pay THIS much for it?!? Cotter or a guy like him was not available elsewhere for cheaper?!? Maybe Holtz IS going to be a bust. But I wasn't going to give up on him at 22 years of age. Especially when Keefe was coming in this season. I was hoping Holtz would elevate his game under Sheldon. I wonder if Holtz' value not being so great has something to do with the fact that Fitzgerald publicly RIPPED HIM APART in a Press Conference last season?!? I was furious at the time when it happened, and I am furious now. What a stroke of genius there by Fitz. I hope Cotter is a complete animal for us
And Cotter isn’t even a center!! He doesn’t take face-offs! So we still have to replace McLeod.
@pulpmystic4956 Still holding out that sliver of hope for STAMMER!
2 days ago you were on Fitz for markstrom as gm of the year
@shaneconnors4074 This is simply NOT TRUE. It is well documented here that I am NOT a fan of Fitz. That may be putting it mildly. But that does not prevent me for talking about a trade that I think he did well on. I think the Markstrom deal was a good one, all things considered. I hate this deal. HATE IT.
@runninwiththedevils shit trade I agree. I wanted to see schmid pan out. But i haven't looked into the cap. Whoever this guy is/ his size. Devils are trying to get bigger.
@shaneconnors4074 I like Cotter, I just hate the price we paid
Remember when Florida Panthers fans were coming on here saying they were trash during the Rags series?
Don’t be like them.
We have to not base our opinions on emotions and let all of this play out. Fitz didn’t pick up trash players. He added size and grit, just not huge names and for cheap. We still have FA to deal with. It’s not over yet.
Stay optimistic and let the Holtz drama go. It didn’t play out the way most wanted and that’s how it goes sometimes in sports. Time to move on.
What if this works out and the Devils go far into the playoffs the next few seasons? Before some of you bury yourselves in you emotional opinions, look at the big picture and what the new guys bring to the team.
LGD!
@TravelinDevil76 I think we will be competitive next year, but I fear Fitz is just trying to stay competitive to save his job. I think he believes he will go ALL IN at some in the years after Markstrom is gone. I am trying to be optimistic, but this one was TOUGH to take in. I would love for the boys to go deep in the playoffs. I would love it if Fitz shocked us all and got some big names on Monday.
@@runninwiththedevilsI hear ya. It was a shock to me at first also, then I got to talking with my nephew and he said some things that made a lot of sense about why this happened.
Took a look at the new players and realized it wasn’t as bad as it seems. Crapping on Fitz is easy to do from a fans perspective, but like another commenter said, it’s not easy to pull off trades and acquire the players fans want. The Devils aren’t the only team talking to the big names and the Devils aren’t the only team big name players want to go to.
As much as I want Zadorov, I’m most likely going to have to live with Pesce and that’s fine if he ends up being what the team needs. Hoping for the best, not expecting the worst. As all of us probably are.
LGD!
Ace, I haven't always liked what youve had to say but this move was nuts. The only way I explain this is Holtz and Schmid demanded a trade and there was no alternative.
@jeromedangelo7028 I don't want everyone to agree all the time! We are here for the conversation/debate. That makes it fun and interesting. I always like hearing other people's point of views, as long as they aren't completely insane. Even if they both demanded a trade, there was no better deal out there to be made?!?
@runninwiththedevils what I'd like to know is did Fitz do this with or without Keefe's approval. Can't imagine what he's thinking if not.
Yo Ace.. I’m not impressed with Fitz either but I’m going to reserve judgement until he’s finished this offseason. I will feel much better if he get a power forward for the top 6.. I like Cotter but if he’s a 4th liner what’s the point? They have 4th line physical players
@michaelcentalonza593 I am sitting here HOPING he makes some significant moves Monday....
😠 😡 👿 WTF is this shit! When I read this trade I thought it was a misprint. I want William Carrier, so I thought that was him, BUT STILL even if it was Carrier, dude you GO TO GET MORE, MORE, MORE if you are trading away Holtz and Schmid.
@johnsumner8487 No misprint, just Fitz giving guys away
This trade infuriates me. It’s a big FU to devils fans. It’s horrible asset management. To draft Holtz over Rossi, Perfetti, Lundell, Askarov, Jarvis, Guhle, etc. and then to essentially just waive him at 22 yo after he proved he’s a legit scorer in this league? Holtz will be a 30 goal scorer and the only saving grace is we won’t have to see him and Vegas much. This move was the back breaker for me.
@pulpmystic4956 My sentiments exactly. WHIFFED BIGTIME on the pick, and then we give him away?!? Someone has to be held to the fire here. Fitz AND the Scouting Department!
Lol love the outro.
@Regurgitator85 I feel beaten down right now
Regarding the trade itself, Schmid will be a solid backup goalie somewhere. May not end up in Vegas. Holtz was overrated by most fans, but he will produce 25-30 goal seasons. There are plenty of lazy players on bad teams that put up numbers, and Holtz will do that. My issue is that both players should have had more value on the trade market, but apparently when you publicly chastise a player it does impact their value😂. Not against trading either of them but the return was shameful.
@walterramirez4443 My issue is that we gave them away! GAVE AWAY! I was more than fine with trading either of them....but get SOME value. We did not. Fitz' bashing him definitely did not help. What a horrific move by Fitz with that whole thing. SHAMEFUL RETURN INDEED!
Absolutely don’t mind this trade at all. Mikhail yegorov is a monster. And Paul cotter is going to be performing beautiful toe drags past trouba all next year! Holtz was a soy boy never was going to work! #Teamfitz
@mikesd98 I hope we finally hit on a big time goalie with Yegorov! We whiffed on enough goalies in recent times (apparently)
I just wana know wat fowards were going after especially in that top 6…
@JSnow-rv8ls My expectations are on the floor now
On one hand i like the move cause holtz sucked on the defensive side and schmid was hit or miss and with daws poultier and they drafted 2 more goalies today(best NA goalie) they needed to move on. The downside is holtz has the scoring ability where as cotter has some offense but is a power forward who had over 200 hits forechecks and uses his body (what we needed). Ill definitely agree though that Devils should've gotten more at the end of the day.
@NJDEVSPARISE9 I like Cotter, I hate the price we paid
@runninwiththedevils definitely not gonna disagree at all. Should've cost us a 4 or 5th at best lol.and maybe schmid... Holtz should of garnered much more just by himself.
@NJDEVSPARISE9 I would have thought so for sure!
imo this playoff season and the Panthers grinding it out against the Oilers offense has shown that the Devils will need to be able to muck it up in the playoffs to win. I wish Tom Fitzgerald would have traded Palat to Vegas instead of Holtz. Fitzgerald deserves to be in the hot seat and on a leash. Last offseason Schmid's agent asked the Devils for more money -- thus the Schmid move is kind of not surprising. I liked Schmid. He proved himself when he saved the series against the Rangers.
@Ted-NJ Vegas wasn't going to let us dump Palat off on them. They are way too savvy for that. Fitz is definitely on the hotseat. I wish we gave both Schmid and Holtz a bit more time...
The only way I can ever forgive Fitz is if he has Stammer or Brady on their way by Monday
Not that there is anything left to trade for Brady that wouldn’t give me a heart attack
If it were up to me, I’d fire him BEFORE Monday
THIS WILL GO DOWN AS THE BIGGEST FLEECING IN DEVILS HISTORY - I’ve been a fan since the 90s, on god I can’t think of a worse trade that we ever made….
@pucksnpicks AGREED. I would be pumped for Stammer or Brady. I just don't see it. My expectations have plummeted. What a bad trade here
I’d love to know the real reason why Holtz was #1 on Fitzy’s sh!t list. I know they were not happy with his two way game but he wasn’t the only guy on the team making mistakes and his offensive numbers were actually quite good given the minutes he got. Yet he was the one to get benched and thrown under the bus publicly. I suspect there was some issue in the locker room or away from the rink we are not privy to and the Devils just wanted to cut ties. As for Schmid, this one is more of a head scratcher. Markstrom isn’t a long term solution so you’d think NJ would want to keep as many options open as possible for a couple years down the road. The only sense I can make is they are higher on Daws and Poulter in the long run and Schmid was the odd man out. I’m fine with NJ moving on from both for whatever the reasons may be but the return was just not there. This deal is a fail for Fitz.
They also drafted two goalies.
@ryanreist6841 I feel like there is more to the story than we know as well. He was 100% the whipping boy out of the group. There may be something there that we will never know. I definitely thought Schmid was going to make a case for himself to be the next guy after we move on from Markstrom. The return was shocking to me. I agree it is a fail
I'm curious about what happens in the next week
@rabidmonkeypox I think we all are!
Holtz had to go. He was just not working out at all. Does not have the skills to be top 6 period. Seriously, how many years would the Devils wait for Holtz to do something. He is a liability defensively, and just could not even play consistently. Holtz will never be a top 6.
Schmid, ehhhh. Yes he had a great series against NYR. Yes, we could have held on to him, but seriously, Akira went for one reason only. Schmid had to go that is the only way a loser like Holtz could be given away.
@georgechris1499 It is too early to claim he cannot be a Top 6. What about a dangerous 3rd line guy?!? THE KID IS ONLY 22! I believe he would have improved with time. I think Akira could be a good starter in this league one day. This trade was an abomination.
This is the best Devil's podcast on the internet bar none. The comments/opinions are flying.
This is where I come to discuss my favorite team in sports... The New Jersey Devil's!
@matthewwarnke170 Thank you! And thanks to all that have been rocking around here! I just want to have conversations and debates with other fans. That is what makes it all fun! LET'S GO DEVILS!!!
@runninwiththedevils I am sitting on a beach in the Bahamas with my jaw on the floor at the videos pumping out of this channel.
You are in the "I Formation" Ace. Just waiting for the ball to be snapped on every trade.
Remarkable.
@matthewwarnke170 I'm trying!
@matthewwarnke170 BTW, extremely jealous that you are on the beach in Bahamas
@@runninwiththedevils that soft brag was just me trying to feel better about what I paid to be here. LoL. 😆
I want take some of the shit that Fitz is taking it’s apparent potent stuff
@user-xz9yb2iu9y I want his dealer's number too!
I did see a cool highlight between the legs move from the new guy from Vegas but still idk about this one chief
@Crazy_Alex_7667 I saw it too. I think Cotter could be good for us. But we could have gotten a player like him without giving up Holtz AND Schmid for it.
One good thing about Holtz leaving the team is that I was looking at purchasing one of his gamers. I had a bad feeling he wasn’t coming back so I held out. Glad I did. I guess it’s gonna be a Timo and MacDermid game worn instead. 😂🎉
Hoping the Prague games have special jerseys so I can pick up a few of them up. Should be able to get on ice jerseys for now on since Fanatics claims to be releasing them along with retail versions.
@TravelinDevil76 Can't go wrong with Timo or MacDermid! The Prague games will almost certainly have a special patch on them like the Global Series jerseys did. Some of the gamers from those games may go lower than you think.....
@@runninwiththedevilsif you want, I can get you a jersey while I’m there. Pay and ship to you when I return to the States after 10/19. Offer is out, let me know. I plan on picking up a few if they are special. Also, there is a Czech hockey store in town that supposedly has IIHF and NHL stuff. I’m checking that out too.
One more thing, about the Meigray auctions, the way they have played out this year, I don’t see anything in the future being reasonable. lol
You guys are insane! I’ve decided to stop buying retail now that I have almost 50 Primegreen Indos from various teams. It’s all Devils gamers from now on, I just have to grow some auctions balls to hang with the real collectors :)
@TravelinDevil76 Don't be scarred by the Stadium Series stuff. That was an EXTREME outlier. The majority of the auctions are NOWHERE near as contentious and expensive! Future auctions won't be nearly as bad!
@@runninwiththedevilsI’ll be there for them :)
This was a head scratcher in my opinion. What is the thinking behind this trade? Somebody pls give me a good explanation for this insanity...
@jeffc.4828 The Fitzgerald Loyalists will spin it somehow...
As a Leaf fan, I thought you guys hiring Sheldon and getting Markestrom was superb moves and thought that you would plug up a couple of holes and there you are a young talented team, a serious contender not next year but the year after and a serious run next year. I don't know your GM that well to be honest, moving these two young guys for Cotter was just pure long term stupidity. Wish the Devils the best. Go Leafs Go.
Exactly
@merdadrezai1195 I think that is a damn good synopsis from an outsider!
@DreWhite100 It is really bad when fans of other teams are baffled by a move like this
@@runninwiththedevilsand so called Devil fans are like….oh well…
@DreWhite100 Some are praising the deal!
People saying we could get Brady T for Holtz, Casey, Mercer and a 10th pick lmao. We had garbage to offer. Turned them into picks to do more moves in the future. Teams learned how to shut our weak soft game last year get over it. The previous year was a fluke.
@jimgoodyear6756 I refuse to believe 2022-23 was a fluke. Maybe we overachieved a bit, but it was not a fluke. I expect/hope the 24-25 Devils are much closer to the 22-23 Devils than the 23-24 Devils!
@@runninwiththedevils Teams let us skate in the zone in 22-23. Once they took that away with the 1-3-1 we were useless. Can't win a cup if you can't forecheck and play defense.
What the hell? Dev's braintrust was praising its scouts today after pickin Holtz over Askarov. As for Schmid, he had a ton of potential with some stellar performances in the past, especially vs the Rags in the post season. What a downer. Fitz is on a suicide mission.
@njswampfox474 It seems like he certainly is on a suicide mission...KAMIKAZE GM'ING
Based on Vegas fans descriptions this guy is a work horse, heart and soul guy. A piece we need. Im witholding judgment. You also bitch about lack of grit constantly(warranted), and holtz was the softest player on the ice always.
@ThisKidKnows I like Cotter. I hate the price we paid. How valuable was he really to VGK, if he couldn't crack their playoff lineup?!? I did want grit brought in, but I didn't want to overpay wildly for it. Holtz was soft, but he was grandfathered in with the rest of our finesse, skill guys. I wanted us to go get some grit in trades or Free Agency. I wasn't screaming to trade Holtz because he was soft. All in all, I wasn't against moving Holtz. I just did not want to give him away. At only 22 years old, I would have liked to see him get an audition under Keefe
Fly high Akira, and Holtz, may you find you freedom in Vegas. We're sorry our organization failed you two.
I'm not going to pretend like I dont have some personal sentiment for these two, but I'm absolutely torn as a fan.
@stikfigzz The organization certainly failed them. Best of luck to both in Sin City. Curious to see how the next couple days play out
Fitz has no patience. I slammed the tofoli trade for Sharangovich when everyone else loved it. He traded a cost controlled excellent short handed goal scorer for a useless Toffoli. Now he’s thriving in Calgary. So many players that we invested time and money into, he has thrown away and they thrive elsewhere. This is a make or break season for Fitz. I do like Paul Catton the player though, always have.
@jamess.9164 If we show ANY signs of struggling whatsover next season, I hope he is IMMEDIATELY canned. I want him gone now, but I know that is never going to happen. Don't worry, Holtz will go on to become a stud for VGK.
As said many times Ray Shero was a good GM for us. Drafted so many good players especially at later trades Fitzgerald now giving away like candys. Shero made the Hall trade. Although he had bad one to with Henrique. But overall Shero was way better! If only he was given 1-2 more years...
Here's more of that toughness you asked for.
@LouieNJ Love the notion of bringing in the grit. But at THAT price?!? There was no way to do this cheaper?!? I often get a craving for a cheeseburger. While I would love that cheeseburger, I WOULD NOT love to pay $35 for it
@@runninwiththedevils I agree the trade price is not palatable. They sold low on Holtz after really screwing up his development. His trade value was nearly zero so I get it but it feels stupid to give up on him now.
@LouieNJ EXACTLY. If his trade value is nonexistent, give him at least 20 games under Keefe to see if there is improvement. The trade value could not have dropped any lower. Seemed silly to pull the plug so soon
That’s from Harold and Kumar now Ryan Reynolds is the boss
@jamesisrael4294 What a classic movie!
This isn't coming from a Fitz loyalty standpoint, and not going to say the Devils "won" this trade at all..... but it wouldn't surprise me at all if Cotter is a better locker room addition than Holtz.
I could never get there 100% with Holtz. I never saw other team members talking him up. The highest level of hockey I ever played was club in college, which is nothing, I get it.... but I spent the better part of 15 years of my life in hockey locker rooms with different team mates. There are good players, who no matter what they say or do, there is a distance between them and the team. They may work on another team, but not that one.
@chillionaire7114 I believe Cotter can be great for us. I really do. But at THAT price?!? I think we could have filled this role elsewhere for cheaper. I hope Cotter is a freak of nature for us and changes my mind on this deal.
Well if you don’t like Fitz your going to question every move he makes. Even the kids they drafted your questing it? Holtz was suppose to play for Sweden in the World Championship and he was CUT for a non NHL player. Yes he has a great shot but that’s about it. His speed and his intensity along the boards has always been question. Akira played awesome for us against the Rags but that’s it. He’s restricted looking for a contract but with the Goalie and back up position set where does he go? To the AHL? Come on now. Also the reason why Paul didn’t play in the playoffs because not sure if you noticed but the knights are stacked. I think Fitz has some plans for free agency and trying to make a couple moves. But in the end you and other folks will still complain. Surprised you didn’t complain about Keefe and Markstrom…. Oh wait who was the GM who got them?
@bgcheese I don't like Fitz, but I try to be fair. I applauded the Markstrom deal. I question drafting a goalie when we had *5* in the system. (4 now after Schmid was dealt) I also made a video applauding the Keefe deal. I don't complain for the sake of complaining....
I get a kick out of people pissing and moaning about moving on from Holtz. It's the same people that were bitching about not moving Zacha earlier, years back. Holtz wasn't going to work out, they put a shit load of work into him and he didn't get it. He got caught out of position constantly, he was slow and clunky, and he was an absolute trainwreck on the defensive end. Shmid was never going to be anything special, he got hot during a stretch last year but since then his play has been manic. How many more chances were they supposed to give Holtz? They had him with Jack, Nico, 3rd line, 4th line, at what point do you look at this objectively instead of emotionally and move on. Cotter is heavy, he's physical, and with the right coaching he can absolutely develop into a contributing role player. The constant crying, bitching, and moaning about Fitz is ridiculous. Let the guy do his job, see what the team does, then pass judgment. Everyone was stroking the guy off the season before last, one off year and people are ready crucify him. It's absurd. Act like a rational hockey fan. Good grief.
@odin4477 He is still only *22* years old. I was fine with trading him, but get SOME value. We gave him away! Fitz is awful. There is nothing to wait and see about. This guy needs to be relieved of his duties.
And how do you think he scored 16 goals last season. Exactly when playing top line minutes. When he was demoted to the bottom 6 he scored 2-3 goals. Holtz was never gonna live up to 7OA and I personally wanted him traded because of his size. But I wanted to see him playing top 6 minutes constantly under Keefe before giving up on him. Plus he was on ELC and could've increased his trade value under Keefe at the very least. Horrible job by Fitz da Ditz. As usually.
I could have stomached Cotter for one of either Holtz OR Schmid. But Schmid got fleeced.
That said, we needed a bottom-6 center to replace McLeod. Done, because Nosek and Tierney wete hot garbage. And we wanted physical and violent, Cotter is supposedly that. The dude hits and is a pest with good skill here and there. Overall the trade sucks, but I do kinda like Cotter, and his counting stats are headed in the right direction at least.
Schmid is the bigger loss. Holtz had potential, but he was a nightmare on defense and he couldn't work with Nico or Hughes. Plus he struggled to keep up.The Swedish National team didn't even want him. Despite some good goals, he was on his way out. Out of the 15 he got, only 2 or 3 were high power snipes from the circles/middle slot and outward. The rest were around the net. We wanted a sniper, not a garbage picker. He has not flourished. I'll admit he was misused on the 4th line, but he even struggled on the 3rd line. Snipers are wasted when the only area they fit is in your bottom-3.
I like what Cotter brings for sure. And I love the checklist Fitz laid out last week. HEAVIER, EDGIER, MORE VIOLENT! But did we have to pay THIS much for it?!? Cotter or a guy like him was not available elsewhere for cheaper?!? Maybe Holtz IS going to be a bust. But I wasn't going to give up on him at 22 years of age. Especially when Keefe was coming in this season. I was hoping Holtz would elevate his game under Sheldon. I wonder if Holtz' value not being so great has something to do with the fact that Fitzgerald publicly RIPPED HIM APART in a Press Conference last season?!? I was furious at the time when it happened, and I am furious now. What a stroke of genius there by Fitz. I hope Cotter is a complete animal for us
Im gonna wait on this one. Cotter was buried in the Vegas depth. Kid has some slick mits. It's a strange move for sure but Fitzgerald might have something up his sleeve
@shanevansickle3526 I hope/think Cotter may be a beast for us. HOWEVER, there was no cheaper way to get him or a guy like him elsewhere?!? What trick could Fitz POSSIBLY have up his sleeve at this point?!?
@runninwiththedevils almost 20 million in cap space. Sign Mercer to a bridge deal, Pesce, and/or Possibly Big Z instead . Some smart FA signings. I'm not thrilled with this trade but, was Holtz going to be on Jack's wing? Doubtful. Was he a checking line forward. No. So where do you go?
Fitz came out against , Ruff had nothing good to say about him, Green had nothing good to say about him , and no player came out for him publicly . Just reading between the lines.
@user-lz8hm6bo7g Fair enough, but these guys are his oppressors. I wasn't expecting them to say anything glowingly about him behind closed doors. But maybe they could have said nice things publicly so we didn't need to give him away in a trade?!?
@@runninwiththedevils that’s my point , I don’t think the kid was well liked , I’m not there but no one ever defended him , just the opposite , if your GM , coach , and assistant coach all say your not doing your job then odds are you’re probably not.
I see why they did it. The got another promising goalie in azarov and Holtz we weren't utilizing him. Give him a fresh start. Paul cotter won't be a top guy but a big body grinder. I don't like it but eh
@curtis204 I like Cotter, I just hate the price we paid
U didnt kno vegas sent back a hummer for fitz.. u know there in vegas hahah
@JSnow-rv8ls HA!
The more I think about it the more I'm actually okay with it. Still think holtz could have been a stud and will be, just not sure if it's worth risking him not being effective on the top 6. Fitz is going gritty mode I guess and hoping for a true checking line and a 4th line of beef. I don't necessarily agree but in theory I guess it could work. You know I love Akira but at the end of the day this freed up $1mil(ish) in cap space. Now there are reports from incarcerated Bob (who the fk knows if that's legit) that devils and flyers are aggressively pursuing brady. I think it's an obvious LONG shot but.... you need every fkn penny of cap space to make him, pesce, and a D like Dillon or Z actually fit financially. With the $20 mil they can even consider Sam Bennet if they can't land Brady (which they probably wont)
@mpaynton Incarcerated Bob is MAJOR clickbait! I could only DREAM of getting Brady. I have put the dream on hold until next Summer. If we land Brady this summer I will make a lengthy apology video to Tom Fitzgerald.
@runninwiththedevils I'm perfectly okay with Stammer or Bennet too... I hope Fitz is smarter than us and has a plan. I fear he's not, but I hope. Ps- a Friday (saturday) night drink a thon would be awesome right now. Toddler is super sick and have been home all night. Could use some crazy Ant banter. No pressure, lol...
@mpaynton It is happening, stay tuned
@@runninwiththedevils LFG
More like the Devils gave 2 players to Vegas.
Our GM should get fired, that should already have happened a few months ago
@frednimzowi9852 I agree. i wanted him gone when he failed to get a goalie while we drowned in front of the entire league
I’m not mad we traded those guys, but wtf is that return? Someone needs to take Fitz’s phone away
@paradx7090 SAME! I was ok with moving them, but get SOME value for them. They were given away
dont understand why this was done, we overpaid drastically, dont get me wrong i like cotter but at this cost? really thats the best deal you could get for those 2? i dunno just seems like he didnt really care about either of them and just shipped them to not have to deal with them anymore, very very frustrating. stammer zadorov and pesce better be wearing devils sweaters by september... or at the very least 2 of them. only way gitzy can redeem himself in my eyes and even then i dunno these moves just arent good
@TheShadow590 I like Cotter too. The cost seems beyond insane. Keep your expectations low. Pesce and Dillon may be our only substantial moves in Free Agency...
Lou Lamoriello must be laughing his ass off somewhere
@DreWhite100 Uncle Lou is definitely chuckling from afar
And how’s that Oliver Wahlstrom pick working out?
@@johnm8096 Because Lou's track record at the draft in his later seasons was GREAT, right?
See ya Fitz. Tom Gotfleccedgerald Now he MUST sign zads, Tanev or........Pesce. The defense hasnt gotten any better yet. Also go after Askarov
@Heytherebuds I could only dream...
Disappointed that we couldn't get more for Holtz and Schmid. They had lost quite a bit of value and while they deserve some of the blame for their poor play, the lion's share of responsibility should fall on Fitz and the rest of the organization.
Maybe they end up crapping out in Vegas but if they ever resurrect their careers? Whatever happens, what a complete and utter waste of a 7th overall pick.
@jonathanchin3396 Same. I think they had their shortcomings, but I certainly blame the organization for a lot of it. Mismanagement at it's finest. Fitzgerald openly ripped Holtz apart in a Press Conference WHILE WE WERE TRYING TO TRADE HIM FOR MARKSTROM months ago! Who does this?!? Tells the world about how Holtz sucks. Truly headscratching stuff! At a minimum, as you pointed out, this was a COMPLETE WASTE of a 7th overall pick! YET ANOTHER REASON, why I personally do not fall in love with "picks". Give me proven players any day of the week
Im surprised the Devils traded Holtz and Schmid. I'm not a fan on the trade.
@curtismuise3300 I am not surprised they got traded, I am surprised at what they got traded FOR. I hope Cotter kills it for us
I heard his next move is to trade Mercer for a happy meal and an extra pair of skates.
@anthonymarshall7301 Nothing would surprise me anymore
I'm fine with trading Mercer. The guy sucks.
@@nickadams6537you’re out of you mind saying that.