Team Sweden just announced their roster for the 2022 World Junior Championships. There were some clear omissions. Lucas Raymond wasn’t on the team because he’s first in line for the Calder Trophy as he tears it up for the Detroit Red Wings. William Wallinder and Simon Robertsson were left off the roster for some strange reason. There was one open roster spot, and it’s reportedly for Alex Holtz if the New Jersey Devils let him play.
Holtz has been traded between the Devils and the Utica Comets this season. At times, he looks like he is ready for the NHL. It’s clear he needs a spot on the top two lines wherever he plays, and it seems like head coach Lindy Ruff is not willing to guarantee that. So, Holtz is playing in the AHL for now. He has looked dominant, but he’s actually seen the points fall by the wayside as of late. He still has nine points in nine games, but he’s been the best guy on the ice some games. One might expect a little more.
It makes sense the Devils are taking their time with the Holtz decision. His development is of utter importance for the Devils. He along with Graeme Clarke are some of the only finishers in the prospect pool, and the Devils desperately need finishers on this team. They have great distributors, but someone needs to start scoring goals.
Holtz was clearly hurt by his performance at the World Junior Championships last season. Sweden was an utter disappointment after sending one of the most talented teams to Canada only to lose in the qualifying round. Holtz was not good, scoring just one goal in five games. People were predicting that Holtz could win tournament MVP. Instead, he was probably the tournament’s biggest disappointment.
There’s something to be said about redemption here. Holtz has a chance to make up for one of his early career’s biggest disappointments. The only thing standing in his way are the Devils. Obviously, they have to make the decision that’s best for the team in the long term, but it seems like sending Holtz to Edmonton to play in the WJC is the right decision.
Imagine the confidence it could build for Holtz? He might be ready to jump right into the NHL after what’s been two weird seasons for him. If he goes to Edmonton and scores a goal per game against younger competition, he will have all the confidence in his shot that he needs. After what happened in the SHL and WJC last season, Holtz just needs to prove scoring can come easy to him. It’s happened at times in the AHL, but it would be much better to do in a scene where he is the top guy.
On top of all that, the Devils don’t want to take away a chance for Holtz to win a gold medal for his country. Sweden is already dealing with less star power than they expected because of how good some of its players are doing in the NHL. Holtz has a chance to do this one more time. If the Devils say no, then he can never replace this experience.
The Devils are taking a risk, just like the risk teams take by sending their NHL players to the Olympics, but it’s a risk worth taking. The positive development Holtz could get with his Swedish teammates is nothing the team can replicate in Utica or New Jersey. Let Holtz play for his country one last time, and then watch him blossom from the experience.