New Jersey Devils Have Limited Options For Alexander Holtz

Sent Down To AHL

The Utica Comets were a really good team in the AHL last year, tying for third in the league in wins and points. Some career AHLers and vets have gone in and out, and the Comets also lost guys like Zetterlund and Boqvist to the NHL. However, they’re returning both Akira Schmid and Nico Daws in net, Nolan Foote, Tyce Thompson, and Graeme Clarke at forward, and added Simon Nemec to a defense that already includes Nikita Okhotyuk and and Reilly Walsh.

Holtz should look no further than Nemec and Foote, two first-round picks that prove that if you’re not ready for the NHL, you won’t play there. Yes, Nemec is only 18 years old, but he was still given an opportunity to make the team in the preseason.

With Utica last year, Holtz was just shy of being a point-per-game player, scoring 51 points in 52 games. He shot 15.6% along with seven power play goals, only had 10 PIM all year, and added three points in five playoff games. Another year of ripping up the AHL really wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world, and if the Devils really need him they can call him up whenever they want. Who knows, maybe he gets it rolling in the AHL and then ends up sticking as a regular later in the NHL season.

Confidence is key in all sports – pitchers, quarterbacks, goalies, batters, and goal scorers all thrive off of confidence. Sitting in the press box probably hasn’t been inspiring so far for the young Holtz.