alexander holtz and Cole Reinhardt were placed on waivers by the Golden Knights, opening a 24-hour window for the other 31 teams in the league to claim either forward ahead of the waiver deadline.
What Happens with Alexander Holtz?
Holtz arrives on waivers after a trajectory that included being drafted seventh overall in 2020 and a 2023-24 season with 16 goals and 28 points in 82 games for the New Jersey Devils. New Jersey later traded him, along with netminder Akira Schmid, to the Golden Knights in exchange for Paul Cotter and a third-round pick. Over the last two years in Las Vegas, Holtz has produced seven goals and 21 points in 81 games while averaging 11: 33 of ice time, and he has experienced healthy scratches and a demotion to the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights in the previous season.
alexander holtz remains signed through next year on an $850K salary. Teams in a rebuilding phase such as the Nashville Predators, St. Louis Blues, or Vancouver Canucks were identified as possible landing spots that might take a flyer on his upside.
What Happens If Reinhardt Is Claimed, and How Do Waivers Affect Postseason Rosters?
Cole Reinhardt, 26, is in his first year with the Golden Knights after spending several seasons within the Ottawa Senators organization. He signed a two-year, $1. 63MM contract (with an $813K average annual value) last summer. This season he has three goals and seven points in 44 games, averaging 9: 47 of ice time. Reinhardt projects as a bottom-six option whose primary on-ice value is physicality; beyond that, the assessment in the roster context is that he provides minimal assistance and there may be alternatives available in the market.
Under NHL qualification rules for AHL playoff eligibility, players must be on an AHL roster by 3: 00 p. m. EST to qualify for the Calder Cup postseason. Henderson is described as being in the hunt in the AHL’s Pacific Division, so if the Golden Knights do not plan to use Holtz or Reinhardt for their own postseason run, both players could become eligible to help Henderson should the club decide to assign them.
- Alexander Holtz: Drafted 7th overall in 2020; 2023-24 with Devils — 16 goals, 28 points in 82 games; traded to Golden Knights with Akira Schmid for Paul Cotter and a third-round pick; last two years in Vegas — 7 goals, 21 points in 81 games; 11: 33 average ice time; signed through next year at $850K.
- Cole Reinhardt: 26 years old; former Ottawa Senators organization player; signed two-year, $1. 63MM deal with an $813K AAV last summer; this season — 3 goals, 7 points in 44 games; 9: 47 average ice time; provides bottom-six physicality.
- Waiver mechanics & postseason timing: 24-hour waiver claim window; AHL roster cutoff for Calder Cup eligibility is 3: 00 p. m. EST; Henderson is in contention in the Pacific Division.
For teams weighing claims, the decision will hinge on roster need, cap considerations relative to the players’ salaries, and immediate playoff plans at both NHL and AHL levels. A claimed player would slot into another club’s depth chart; an unclaimed player could be assigned to Henderson to augment its AHL playoff push if the Golden Knights opt not to retain them for the NHL postseason.
Uncertainty is straightforward here: both players carry limited recent production at the NHL level, but Holtz retains the draft pedigree and a recent season of higher output that could interest teams seeking upside, while Reinhardt’s appeal centers on physical presence. The waiver window will resolve their immediate status and clarify whether they will be NHL depth pickups or AHL reinforcements entering the Calder Cup picture.
