Philip Holm

Holm signed a one-year deal with the Blackhawks this offseason after spending the 2018-19 campaign with Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod of the KHL. It was surprising that the Blackhawks never elected to call up the 28-year-old, as he produced 15 points in 30 AHL games for Rockford. Per Holm's agent, he's expected to return to Europe to continue his career, Scott Powers of The Athletic reports.

Holm spent the 2018-19 campaign with Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod of the KHL, notching seven goals and 26 points in 61 contests -- a performance that earned him a trip to the league's All-Star Game. The 27-year-old Swede will battle for a third-pairing role during training camp.

Prior to being acquired by the Golden Knights at the trade deadline last season, Holm made his NHL debut for the Canucks, in which he saw 15:12 of ice time and logged a minus-2 rating. The blueliner will need to put his NHL career on hold, as he looks to earn his way back by testing the waters of the KHL. If he can put together a solid 2018-19 campaign, don't be surprised to see another NHL team give the Swede a look.

Ever since the Vegas franchise was born, Golden Knights GM George McPhee has placed a strong emphasis on courting talented defensemen. Holm hails from Sweden, which has molded several high-profile NHL players, including Erik Karlsson, who happens to be a two-time Norris Trophy recipient. The fact that Holm wasn't drafted isn't much of a concern since he spent seven seasons in his home country. He made the big leap to AHL Utica this season, crafting 11 goals and 18 assists over 42 games. He's keeper material at best for fantasy leaguers, but Vegas currently sits atop the Western Conference standings and has already proven that it can make the best out of its transactions.