Golden Knights Expected to Sign Final Restricted Free Agent

On Tuesday, the Vegas Golden Knights submitted their official roster for the 2025-26 season. It contained 13 forwards, seven (technically eight) defenseman, and two goaltenders. But there was one notable player absent from the roster: Restricted Free Agent Alexander Holtz.

Holtz, a 23-year-old winger with a great shot, entered Training Camp on a PTO. He appeared in six of the Golden Knights’ seven preseason games and played exceptionally well. He drew three penalties and finally shook the monkey off his back and scored a goal in the final game.

Currently, Holtz is the only Restricted Free Agent without a contract. In Tuesday’s edition of his Written 32 Thoughts, Elliotte Friedman wrote that he expected the Golden Knights to sign Holtz in the next two days.

“I’d also expect the Golden Knights to officially sign Alexander Holtz before they play their first game,” Friedman wrote.

The Golden Knights acquired Holtz, along with Akira Schmid, last summer from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Paul Cotter and a third-round pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Holtz skated in 53 games with the Golden Knights last season, but struggled to find his footing. He scored four goals and 12 points and averaged 11:35 TOI.

However, Holtz is just two seasons removed from a 16-goal campaign. He played the full 82 games with the Devils during the 2023-24 season and finished the year with 16 goals and 28 points.