New Jersey Devils: 5 Prospects Who Shouldn’t Be Touched At NHL Trade Deadline
By Nick Villano
Alexander Holtz
Most teams aren’t going to even ask about Luke Hughes in any trade. It is just a waste of time. However, the Devils don’t have the same hold on Alexander Holtz. That doesn’t mean the answer should be any different. Who is actually worth Alexander Holtz at this point that would make everyone happy? Outside of a very young player who’s currently in the NHL, there’s really nobody that works. It would take other untouchable players to even remotely win a deal moving Alexander Holtz.
Holtz was expected to spend some time in the NHL this season, but he clearly needed polishing in the AHL, and it’s worked perfectly. He’s scoring at one of the best rates in the minor leagues. He now has 21 goals and 41 points in 36 games with the Utica Comets. This is a Utica Comets team that is holding on to the top spot in their division and the second-best record overall.
Holtz is going to be good in the NHL. Maybe this is counting our chickens before they hatch, but it just becomes clear that Holtz is at least at the NHL level when it comes to scoring, and the Devils desperately need that. There is Jesper Bratt on the team as a winger who can score and nobody else. The Devils can’t afford to lose the one prospect who looks like he can fill that role.