RFA Alex Holtz attends Golden Knights’ training camp on PTO while awaiting new contract

Right winger Alex Holtz still does not have a contract for the 2025-26 NHL season, but will be at Vegas Golden Knights training camp as the only RFA attending a preseason camp among the NHL’s 32 teams. 

The 23-year-old joins on a PTO until he and the club either come to an agreement or opt to part ways.

While Holtz held down a lineup spot for part of the 2024-25 season, he struggled for ice time after the Golden Knights acquired Brandon Saad and brought back Reilly Smith, eventually landing him back with the Henderson Silver Knights in the AHL. 

Through 52 NHL games in 2024-25, Holtz had four goals and 12 points before rekindling a sharper scoring touch in the AHL with seven goals and six assists in 16 games.

Holtz joined the Golden Knights from the New Jersey Devils alongside goaltender Akira Schmid, in exchange for center Paul Cotter and a 3rd round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft in June 2024. 

However, the former seventh overall selection by the Devils in the 2020 NHL Draft has not found his consistent scoring touch or balanced game at the NHL level, leading General Manager Kelly McCrimmon to call the 2025 training camp “important” for the unsigned forward. 

Over 163 career NHL games, Holtz has 23 goals and 46 points, lofted by his only full season in 2023-24 when he played 82 games, scoring 16 goals and 28 points. 

Should he crack the Golden Knights’ NHL roster, he would hope to help them repeat as first-place finishers in the Pacific Division, as the club enters the season with high hopes after acquiring and signing star forward Mitch Marner from the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Golden Knights open the NHL preseason on Sept. 21 against the San Jose Sharks, with eyes on their regular season opener against the LA Kings on Oct 8.