The New Jersey Devils have cleared a roster spot by sending prospect Alexander Holtz back to the minor leagues, but don’t get too excited. Ryan Novozinsky of NJ.com tweets that there is no imminent trade, and that the team just wanted to get the young forward some game reps.
Holtz, 21, has only appeared in 19 games for the Devils this season, and even when he is in the lineup, he barely sees the ice. Averaging just over ten minutes a game, there have been several matches where Holtz has received fewer than ten shifts. He has just one NHL game since January 7, and has only appeared three times in the AHL this season.
Getting him some actual playing experience is important, especially given how well he transitioned to the AHL last year. In 52 games, Holtz scored 26 goals to lead the Utica Comets and showed that he was already advanced for that level.
Now, with Jack Hughes getting closer to a return and the Devils poking around on other forward additions, Holtz might as well go back to start playing regularly in the minor leagues.
Terrible the way they’ve handled him so far
Well, one more sign that Timo will be landed in NJ…
It is a shame how they used him this year.
If he doesn’t fit Ruff’s system, then have the AHL system mirror the NHL system and send him down to adapt…otherwise trade him for someone that does fit (Meier).
Perhaps I will have to change my handle to Nico2Timo.
Have only seen him play a few times, but I have yet to see an NHL player. Poor skater. Little grit.
He seems to have gotten by so far up to this point on his hands and shot, but unless his feet improve I see a poor man’s Daniel Sprong, a marginal NHL player in his own right.
But miles wood gets to play.
He is a timid player with a one-time slap shot and little else at an NHL level. Sub-standard skater, defender, no physical presence. His goals at NHL level were blasts on power play. Does not create. Questionable work ethic/or athleticism. Team kept him to watch his work level, and I guess they concluded he is working as hard as he can.
Remember his scouting report from draft year said “Best shot in class” and made major mention of him playing against “adults” – not necessarily succeeding against them. He was a 4th liner as a 17 year old and did not embarass himself., which is good, but not necessarily and indicator that he will be a top line star.