Why Sending Alexander Holtz and Kevin Bahl Down Makes Perfect Sense
By Nick Villano
The New Jersey Devils made a surprising move on Tuesday morning, sending Alexander Holtz and Kevin Bahl down to the AHL. The Devils are on a 13-game winning streak, and the rookies have no chance of cracking the lineup right now. It’s not because of anything they did wrong, but this lineup, as currently constructed, cannot be stopped. So, Holtz and Bahl are on their way to the Utica Comets.
The prevailing wisdom is the Devils did this to give Bahl and Holtz, two very important prospects, playing time to develop their games. However, we disagree. Holtz’s main issue and the reason he isn’t getting into the lineup is speed. He isn’t fast enough to keep up with the top six at this point. He needs to be able to play with Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt or Jack Hughes and Dawson Mercer. Playing in the AHL might hinder that.
Utica is not having a great season. They are currently in last place in the North Division. They have many games at hand (the Comets have 12 games played while most of the division has played 15). The Comets have a chance to get back in the hunt, but they need to fix their issues quickly. Head coach Kevin Dineen has a chance to figure out his team’s issues, but he needs talent.
Holtz will immediately come in and be the best player on the team. That’s what he was last season. That is what he will be this season. It will help the Comets add a great player to the lineup when they desperately need it.
The Comets have 33 goals this season in 12 games. They score less than three goals per game. Their 33 total goals are the lowest in the AHL. While the per-game averages aren’t the lowest, it’s not terribly off.
Tom Fitzgerald knows he needs to grow Holtz and Bahl as players, but it’s just as important to get Utica turned around. There are important players there, too. The Devils don’t want wasted seasons for Tyce Thompson, Nikita Okhotyuk, or Nico Daws. If Holtz and Bahl can come down to the AHL for a few weeks and right the ship for the team, it can last for the rest of the season.
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This could also help Holtz’s confidence as he tries to earn his way back into the NHL lineup. By the time he returns to the big leagues, the assumption is the Devils will have finally lost a game. Lindy Ruff will be more apt to change the lineup from night to night and give others a chance to get a game in. For now, the Devils are focusing on the big picture. Holtz being in the AHL is a big-picture move.