LW Alexander Holtz - (2020, 7th, NJD)

[thethinglonger]

Here we go @hidek91 - shift-by-shift of Holtz's first AHL game (4/24/21 vs. Lehigh Valley):

 

[hidek91]

Here we go @hidek91 - shift-by-shift of Holtz's first AHL game (4/24/21 vs. Lehigh Valley):

Thanks a lot, awesome work!

 

[Colin226]

First AHL goal:

 

[vorky]

This needs to be posted here.



google translate:
Do not understand this, not even Raymond. The boys are 19, one has scored 6 goals, the other 7 goals in the SHL. What's the point of signing an NHL contract now? They are drafted. Can anybody explain? The agents?

 

[HenriquesJawLine]

13 shots in 3 games

 

[VictorLustig]

This needs to be posted here.



google translate:
Do not understand this, not even Raymond. The boys are 19, one has scored 6 goals, the other 7 goals in the SHL. What's the point of signing an NHL contract now? They are drafted. Can anybody explain? The agents?

That's unfortunately how things work and nobody questions it. NHL teams believe they can develop young players better than organizations who are used to doing it on a daily basis. Personally I'm not convinced. Holtz is definitely not ready to play in the NHL, neither is Raymond.

 

[Nocashstyle]

This needs to be posted here.



google translate:
Do not understand this, not even Raymond. The boys are 19, one has scored 6 goals, the other 7 goals in the SHL. What's the point of signing an NHL contract now? They are drafted. Can anybody explain? The agents?

Holtz isn’t even eligible to play in the NHL this year. He was brought over to finish the year in the AHL and also very likely to at least start next season in the AHL as well. It’s as simple as the Devils believing Holtz can develop in the AHL while growing accustomed to a NA style game.

 

[vorky]

Holtz isn’t even eligible to play in the NHL this year. He was brought over to finish the year in the AHL and also very likely to at least start next season in the AHL as well. It’s as simple as the Devils believing Holtz can develop in the AHL while growing accustomed to a NA style game.

I recommend you to search for more statements by Szemberg. The point is that staying in Europe for a couple of seasons would be more useful for the player´s development than riding the bus in the AHL. Lately he is using Kaprizov as example, the player jumped directly to the NHL roster, no need to "growing accustomed to a NA style game." As Szemberg says, the NHL GMs still think that the best way of development for Europeans is in North America´s minors, but the data saying the opposite because many Europeans has gotten worse while playing in North America´s minors/juniors.

Search for more statements.

 

[theslatcher]

Holtz isn’t even eligible to play in the NHL this year. He was brought over to finish the year in the AHL and also very likely to at least start next season in the AHL as well. It’s as simple as the Devils believing Holtz can develop in the AHL while growing accustomed to a NA style game.

He would be eligible if he signed an ELC that started when he signed it, and not next season, as Djurgården's season has ended.

I recommend you to search for more statements by Szemberg. The point is that staying in Europe for a couple of seasons would be more useful for the player´s development than riding the bus in the AHL. Lately he is using Kaprizov as example, the player jumped directly to the NHL roster, no need to "growing accustomed to a NA style game." As Szemberg says, the NHL GMs still think that the best way of development for Europeans is in North America´s minors, but the data saying the opposite because many Europeans has gotten worse while playing in North America´s minors/juniors.

Search for more statements.

Thing is, it depends on player to player, and team to team. Nobody is alike. Frölunda was garbage with their younger players this past season, so moving away from there is a good move(Lysell doing so just to end up with Bulan in Luleå was, well, not ideal to say the least lol). Djurgården was better, but left much to be desired.

 

[goonybird]

Holtz might not be ready but he can't be playing as far down the lineup as he was. Behind Bergfors ffs. 10 minutes of ice-time in the SHL vs 20 in the AHL is an easy decision for the org especially when it comes with playing with potential NHL teammates on the proper surface.

 

[AfroThunder396]

I don't know how anyone can look at the second half of Holtz's season and argue that Djurgardens is the best place for his development. His production fell off a cliff after the WJC and that team did nothing to help get him going or improve his game.

I get why Swedish fans and media want their prospects to play in Sweden but Holtz will be getting much more ice time and individual development in the AHL than he has been getting in Sweden.

 

[vorky]

As I get this, it is very easy - be a superstar in your European league & NT, prove your status in multiple seasons in a row and then move. Win-win for all.

 

[Nocashstyle]

I recommend you to search for more statements by Szemberg. The point is that staying in Europe for a couple of seasons would be more useful for the player´s development than riding the bus in the AHL. Lately he is using Kaprizov as example, the player jumped directly to the NHL roster, no need to "growing accustomed to a NA style game." As Szemberg says, the NHL GMs still think that the best way of development for Europeans is in North America´s minors, but the data saying the opposite because many Europeans has gotten worse while playing in North America´s minors/juniors.

Search for more statements.

I’m not going to. Pretty difficult to make a sweeping generalization about the development of all prospects. Some benefit from staying in Europe, others don’t. The Devils and Holtz’s camp clearly believe he will continue to develop in NA. Whether that ends up being true or not, we won’t know for several years.

And as others have stated, if Holtz’s second half in Djurgardens was any indication, I think he was due for a change.

 

[theslatcher]

Holtz might not be ready but he can't be playing as far down the lineup as he was. Behind Bergfors ffs. 10 minutes of ice-time in the SHL vs 20 in the AHL is an easy decision for the org especially when it comes with playing with potential NHL teammates on the proper surface.

Bergfors had a career year in the SHL so eh. Ågren, & Stoa however getting more ice time than Holtz, & Eklund is laughable.

 

[Prntscrn]

I don't know how anyone can look at the second half of Holtz's season and argue that Djurgardens is the best place for his development. His production fell off a cliff after the WJC and that team did nothing to help get him going or improve his game.

I get why Swedish fans and media want their prospects to play in Sweden but Holtz will be getting much more ice time and individual development in the AHL than he has been getting in Sweden.

What do you mean did nothing? In most of the teams he would have been sent down, but Djurgården kept giving him opportunity after opportunity. Djurgården has been very patient and good at giving their junior players a chance and trusting them the last 10-15 years.


Going back to Djurgården wouldn't be a bad thing historically. If he does he will be coached by Barry Smith next season too, not sure if it's a good thing or not for juniors though?You guys probably knows more about him than we do

 

[Jerzey Devil]

I recommend you to search for more statements by Szemberg. The point is that staying in Europe for a couple of seasons would be more useful for the player´s development than riding the bus in the AHL. Lately he is using Kaprizov as example, the player jumped directly to the NHL roster, no need to "growing accustomed to a NA style game." As Szemberg says, the NHL GMs still think that the best way of development for Europeans is in North America´s minors, but the data saying the opposite because many Europeans has gotten worse while playing in North America´s minors/juniors.

Search for more statements.

For every Karpisov and Panarin there’s a Gusev and Shipachyov.

 

[Baaaaaaaaaaaaah]

The quicker Holtz gets to Jack Hughes the better IMO. I am less of a proponent of extended developments for snipers...get them to the team where they will see the puck most.

 

[vorky]

What do you mean did nothing? In most of the teams he would have been sent down, but Djurgården kept giving him opportunity after opportunity. Djurgården has been very patient and good at giving their junior players a chance and trusting them the last 10-15 years.

Here you described the difference between European & American/Canadian/NHL approach. The European clubs taking their young players as their kids (son-parent relationship) because they have them since very young age in the system. And especially the most talented players/prospects receive a special treatment, getting chance after chance. While NHL clubs do not care if a player busts or not, one failed player is replaced by another. We hear the same stories all the time as NHL GMs saying to players: "you are so special one", "we are waiting for you" "you will get a chance in NHL" but you need to come to North American´s minors because it is the best for you - "you need to adapt to different game style" or "you need to learn the language" (used with Russians). And, as NHL GMs says, you can not do it in Europe, you need to come here as soon as possible.

Szemberg was behind a big research done by IIHF a decade or so ago. It had one crutial conclution - many many European players are coming to North America too early, they are not ready for the switch, they should stay in Europe for a couple of seasons.

 

[SwedeChristoffer]

I recommend you to search for more statements by Szemberg. The point is that staying in Europe for a couple of seasons would be more useful for the player´s development than riding the bus in the AHL. Lately he is using Kaprizov as example, the player jumped directly to the NHL roster, no need to "growing accustomed to a NA style game." As Szemberg says, the NHL GMs still think that the best way of development for Europeans is in North America´s minors, but the data saying the opposite because many Europeans has gotten worse while playing in North America´s minors/juniors.

Search for more statements.

Szymon is obviously very knowledgeable, but he is hardly unbiased. As the director of "Alliance of European Hockey Clubs" his main goal is to improve the European club hockey by increasing it's competitiveness, marketability etc. Having young budding stars playing in the European leagues for longer is definitely something the European clubs would benefit from.

As many have stated here development is very individual and making a broad statements that all Europeans should stay in Europe until they are ready to be stars in the NHL hurts his credibility IMO.

In a world where COVID most likely will limit travel next season as well and thus face-to-face contact with skills-coaches etc. will be limited I think it's more beneficial than ever to go to the US/Canada.

 

[gifted88]

How is the AHL going to hinder Holtz development compared to spending the off-season in Sweden? They could still send him back to the SHL on loan next year if his development calls for it.

I don't think one development method is necessarily better for everyone.

I also am not understanding the guys comparison of Sandin's development to Romanov's? Is he saying Sandin would be a better player today had he stayed in Sweden? Honestly, he probably gets drafted much later since the Toronto GM was very familiar with the Greyhounds team. Also the guy was hurt this year, otherwise would probably have started with the Leafs .

 

[Goomba]

The quicker Holtz gets to Jack Hughes the better IMO. I am less of a proponent of extended developments for snipers...get them to the team where they will see the puck most.

I suspect Holtz will be a full time NHLer by the end of next season

He could also make the NHL out of camp; though I suspect hed get seven games and see how it goes. I agree, however, that his chemistry with Jack is most important and NJ should want to begin developing that ASAP

 

[ZEBROA]

Need to work on his aim. And shot selection skill. If he fix that watch out.

 

[NJ DevLolz]

Need to work on his aim. And shot selection skill. If he fix that watch out.

I watched him a fair bit and to me, his release is kind of slow. I think Mercer will be a better NHLer than Holtz

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

I watched him a fair bit and to me, his release is kind of slow. I think Mercer will be a better NHLer than Holtz

The dude is a sniper and has an amazing shot. Dont sell him short because he didnt light up world juniors or the ahl. Yes Mercer is probably a safer more well rounded player but Holtz still has potential to be a 40 goal scorer imo. You know how bad we need real shooters on the Devils.

 

[NJ DevLolz]

(the pass)

making a really good case for an opening night spot