The New Jersey Devils have an odd schedule. The NHL season started last Tuesday and New Jersey didn’t go until Friday. They then don’t have a game until Tuesday this week so it is a slow start. However, we were treated to some good hockey from the organization in the AHL on Sunday. The Utica Comets played their first game of the season and it was a very entertaining game.
New Jersey probably wants to win this season but they want to develop their top prospects even more. Utica is part of that and it started with their first game. Dawson Mercer made the NHL team, so Alexander Holtz has all the eyes on him in terms of Utica prospects.
He scored two goals in his 2021-22 season debut. This is the type of prospect that the Devils need to continue getting better. He is a big part of the plans going forward as New Jersey spent a 7th overall pick on him in 2020. The hope is that he continues to dominate the AHL and eventually gets the call up to the NHL.
Nikita Okhotiuk, Ryan Schmelzer, Aarne Talvitie, and Brian Flynn also added in goals for the Comets. This is a good team that has a chance to make some noise in the league this year. The only thing that might hurt them is call-ups lowering the talent on their roster.
Check out the highlights from WPNY... boy oh boy what a night!
— Utica Comets (@UticaComets) October 17, 2021
CC: @Jason_Shaya @uticagh pic.twitter.com/3p1fcQQVGK
The New Jersey Devils need Alexander Holtz to turn into a great NHL player.
All of this led to a big 6-2 win over the Rochester Americans. Nico Daws made 25 saves on 27 shots in the victory. That is a goaltending prospect that the Devils have faith in so it is good to see him get off to a good start this year.
Going back to Holtz, he scores goals as well as any prospect in the Devils organization. He came out of the draft known for being a goal scorer. He can score in many different ways which makes him very valuable. When he gets to the NHL, he is going to get the opportunity to play with some really good players that can find him in good areas to score.
For now, the AHL is a great place for him to continue his development. Holtz and the Comets will be back in action on Friday against the Providence Bruins. That will be a great test for this group as they try to continue winning games and getting better. This first game was great news for New Jersey Devils fans. Alex Holtz, amongst other great young players, is going to make this team great for a long time.