The Vegas Golden Knights have made a trade! But it’s probably not the trade you were hoping for.
Just hours ahead of Monday’s trade deadline, the Golden Knights sent Brendan Leipsic, who they claimed from the Toronto Maple Leafs in June’s expansion draft, to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for defenseman Philip Holm, as first reported by Bob McKenzie.
Let’s get to Holm first. After initially looking like a future Maple Leaf, the 26-year-old Swedish blueliner ultimately signed with the Canucks as an undrafted free agent this past summer. He has played only one game at the NHL level, which not-so-ironically came against the Golden Knights on Friday. Prior to this season, Holm spent the last three years playing in the SHL, recording eight goals and 37 points in 146 games.
This season, Holm’s played almost exclusively in the AHL with the Utica Comets. In 42 games, Holm has registered 11 goals and 29 points.
Here’s a brief scouting report on Holm from McKenzie:
Bob McKenzie gave a brief scouting report on #Canucks defenceman Philip Holm a few weeks back on @LeafsLunch1050, transcribed by @LeafsNews. pic.twitter.com/57IGImpbuK
— Grady Sas (@GradySas) May 26, 2017
Now let’s get to Leipsic. The 23-year-old forward was a dynamic, yet inconsistent offensive playmaker in his short time with the Golden Knights. That lack of consistency was what ultimately made him expendable. Through 44 games, Leipsic’s inability to finish was evident (he’s potted just two goals this season).
That said, it’s a shame that Leipsic wasn’t given more time to develop in Vegas. After all, it wasn’t all that long ago that the former third-round pick averaged nearly two points per game for the Portland Winterhawks in the WHL.
UPDATE: Holm has been assigned to the Chicago Wolves.
Holm will join the Wolves.
— Danny Webster (@DannyWebster21) February 26, 2018