Devils team discussion (news, notes and speculation) - 2023 offseason part II

[TrufleShufle]

Hypothetically.

If Holtz plays 70+ games this year... and does a 20-20-40 statline.... we happy or unhappy with that?

I would say that if he was to play 70+ games this year that it would be a good thing, period. This is based off the fact that Fitz/Ruff don't seem shy at all about sending down/sitting prospects who aren't gelling with the team and or producing.

That's not to say if he played 70 games due to injuries from others and only put up 5 goals 6 assists while looking like a baby deer on ice with a stick caught in it's antlers that it wouldn't be a huge disappointment. But I believe if he plays that much, especially with who we have now and also waiting to get time, he would have had to earn it.

 

[MB3]

“Hypothetically if our 22 year old prospect who has 5 points in 28 career games scores 20 goals and 40 points this year would we be happy?” lmao hm, idk let me think on that one.

 

[Jersey Fresh]

Hypothetically.

If Holtz plays 70+ games this year... and does a 20-20-40 statline.... we happy or unhappy with that?

If Holtz puts up 20 goals/40 points from the third line with the players we have ahead of him, this team is scoring 325+ goals this season.

With Toffoli now I think Holtz is just squeezed out. Not sure what happens with him, he really needs a strong camp.

 

[Nubmer6]

If Holtz puts up 20 goals/40 points from the third line with the players we have ahead of him, this team is scoring 325+ goals this season.

With Toffoli now I think Holtz is just squeezed out. Not sure what happens with him, he really needs a strong camp.

He's still got 2 years left on his ELC and is waiver exempt. We can be patient with him and hope that he figures things out. Not optimal, but we have to play the cards we get dealt.

 

[Mr Bojanglez]

“Hypothetically if our 22 year old prospect who has 5 points in 28 career games scores 20 goals and 40 points this year would we be happy?” lmao hm, idk let me think on that one.

Just getting a conversation going

 

[TrufleShufle]

Just getting a conversation going

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

“Hypothetically if our 22 year old prospect who has 5 points in 28 career games scores 20 goals and 40 points this year would we be happy?” lmao hm, idk let me think on that one.

Considering how bipolar this board is and almost burned Nico at the stake multiple times over the years, it's a fair question

 

[glenwo2]

The REAL question is if he's related to @glenwo2 !

umm....what?

It's not as funny as you thinking I'm Bratt.

Remember... you did this bit before.

 

[Forge]

Just getting a conversation going

Don't waste your time with responses to some

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Hypothetically.

If Holtz plays 70+ games this year... and does a 20-20-40 statline.... we happy or unhappy with that?

In a vacuum, I'd be happy but like someone else has said him playing 70 games would be the better sight.

 

[Saugus]

I would say that if he was to play 70+ games this year that it would be a good thing, period. This is based off the fact that Fitz/Ruff don't seem shy at all about sending down/sitting prospects who aren't gelling with the team and or producing.

That's not to say if he played 70 games due to injuries from others and only put up 5 goals 6 assists while looking like a baby deer on ice with a stick caught in it's antlers that it wouldn't be a huge disappointment. But I believe if he plays that much, especially with who we have now and also waiting to get time, he would have had to earn it.

This is where I am too. Seeing good complementary production from Holtz would be great, but the priority for him this season is to stick in the NHL and force the coaches to find a place to play him. Anything additional is a bonus.

 

[glenwo2]

Sam does the Let's Go Devils podcast. He's interviewed a lot of alumni like Bryce and Chico but has also interviewed Shayna, Spaulding and Mike Morelle. I just personally enjoy him as an interviewer. Neil Villapiano who has the Devils State of Mind podcast is also quite good too.

Quite honestly, I think they know who he is.

They're just breaking my balls about it for whatever reason.

That Podcast has been around for awhile.

 

[Forge]

Hypothetically.

If Holtz plays 70+ games this year... and does a 20-20-40 statline.... we happy or unhappy with that?

For holtz specifically, would be a huge positive step. Given where he would slot in the lineup, playing 70 games probably means that he has worked on stuff outside of his shot and does enough to justify being in the lineup.

Now, in a very general sense, you have a 7th overall pick who is putting up 20/20 this far into his career, I am underwhelmed. But underwhelmed would be far superior to where we are at now

 

[None Shall Pass]

Devils Announce 2023 Development Camp Roster | BLOG | New Jersey Devils

Lenni Hameenaho, the Devils 2nd Round pick in the latest draft, headlines a group of 33 players

www.nhl.com

Notable omissions include Nemec, Holtz, and Clarke.

 

[Better Call Sal]

Probably the least interested I've been in development camp in some time. Feels good.

 

[Mgd31]

Devils Announce 2023 Development Camp Roster | BLOG | New Jersey Devils

Lenni Hameenaho, the Devils 2nd Round pick in the latest draft, headlines a group of 33 players

www.nhl.com

Notable omissions include Nemec, Holtz, and Clarke.

In the trade for Hellebuyck*

 

[Alex NJD]

Devils Announce 2023 Development Camp Roster | BLOG | New Jersey Devils

Lenni Hameenaho, the Devils 2nd Round pick in the latest draft, headlines a group of 33 players

www.nhl.com

Notable omissions include Nemec, Holtz, and Clarke.

TBH I'm not sure any of those 3 have anything left to learn at that level. Holtz and Clarke have done everything they can below the NHL level. Nemec isn't far behind according to some.

Funny how it says Hameenaho headlines the group when Casey is attending

 

[Saugus]

Devils Announce 2023 Development Camp Roster | BLOG | New Jersey Devils

Lenni Hameenaho, the Devils 2nd Round pick in the latest draft, headlines a group of 33 players

www.nhl.com

Notable omissions include Nemec, Holtz, and Clarke.

I don't know if I would read too much into that. It seems like anybody who has already established themselves enough to be an AHL regular is not listed because the team doesn't see them as being at the "developmental" stage.

 

[Triumph]

Normally there is a veteran who has been to 4 of these already, but obviously with the pandemic that wouldn't've been possible regardless - I'm a little surprised Ibragimov is eligible to attend because he's completed an ELC.

I don't know if I would read too much into that. It seems like anybody who has already established themselves enough to be an AHL regular is not listed because the team doesn't seem them as being at the "developmental" stage.

This was not typically the custom of the Devils under e.g. Shero, IIRC. Believe everyone who was eligible to attend normally did, even if they had been on the NHL roster. Quenneville attended in 2018, for example, even though he had attended 4 camps already.

 

[Guadana]

I think Holtz now is a perfect position, where he should be top 6 player, but we have a couple of good players to clean and protect him as a partners on third line, who will help to produce too. And he will face the easiest completion in third pair defesnsemen. Its not like he should produce right here right now on the wing with Jack/Nico and not losing his zone in offensive forecheck, and its not like the only alternative is using him with McLeod with questionable tasks on the ice. I hope he will produce 15+20 or something more. He wasn't my guy in the draft day, but he is our guy now and his positional feeling and playmaking ability should help for our depth scoring. If he willscore 15-20, our opponents will hate use all of their best defensive forces against us in every pair, it should make easier our life in every shift of every line.

 

[Lou is God]

Probably the least interested I've been in development camp in some time. Feels good.

Casey and Edwards attending, pretty cool since they have to pay their own way and all.

 

[OmNomNom]

Ondrej Psenicka is an interesting invite - he's 6'-6" 209 :O

Casey and Edwards attending, pretty cool since they have to pay their own way and all.

fortunately seamus has fam in NJ

 

[Alex NJD]

I think Holtz now is a perfect position, where he should be top 6 player, but we have a couple of good players to clean and protect him as a partners on third line, who will help to produce too. And he will face the easiest completion in third pair defesnsemen. Its not like he should produce right here right now on the wing with Jack/Nico and not losing his zone in offensive forecheck, and its not like the only alternative is using him with McLeod with questionable tasks on the ice. I hope he will produce 15+20 or something more. He wasn't my guy in the draft day, but he is our guy now and his positional feeling and playmaking ability should help for our depth scoring. If he willscore 15-20, our opponents will hate use all of their best defensive forces against us in every pair, it should make easier our life in every shift of every line.

In addition to what you mentioned, others have pointed out Toffoli could be an ideal mentor for Holtz as well.

I think the fact he is still here after the Meier trade in addition to apparent interest in other trade targets over the past 2 years, means the FO has a plan for him and want to stick with him for better or worse. He is Fitz's 1st draft pick as GM.

 

[FooteBahl]

This is where I am too. Seeing good complementary production from Holtz would be great, but the priority for him this season is to stick in the NHL and force the coaches to find a place to play him. Anything additional is a bonus.

I saw a comparison to Reid Boucher on another site. Holtz’s is a much better skater and playmaker than him, right?

 

[Better Call Sal]

I saw a comparison to Reid Boucher on another site. Holtz’s is a much better skater and playmaker than him, right?

Good god, yes. Reid Boucher skated like he had a dump in his pants and his skates.