Devils Insider Spills What Golden Knights Are Getting with Alexander Holtz

Talent and potential offset by a near-stubborn incomplete game. Perhaps no player could affect more change gor the Vegas Golden Knights this season than Alexander Holtz, and our New Jersey Devils colleague James Nichols of New Jersey Hockey Now shared his first-hand thoughts on the new Golden Knights winger.

The Golden Knight will begin training camp this week with visions of Stanley Cups still dancing in their heads, but they have a lot of talent to replace, beginning with Jonathan Marchessault’s 42 goals. Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon snagged Holtz and goalie Akira Schmid from the New Jersey Devils for Paul Cotter at the NHL Draft, but the trade is a high-rollers gamble.

Holtz has talent, but New Jersey was just about fed up and ready to move on. Former coach Lindy Ruff sternly rebuked him in the media several times. GM Tom Fitzgerald did the same.

Holtz, 22, was the seventh overall pick in the star-laden 2020 entry draft. The deft right wing has no shortage of offensive ability. In just 11 minutes per game last season, he managed to score 16 goals. But he was also nailed to the bench often.

We asked our colleague Nichols, who covers the Devils, what the Golden Knights can expect.

“His shot is so elite that he doesn’t need very many chances to bury rubber. And for whatever reason, Holtz had a knack for scoring the first goal of the game,” Nichols said. “Despite many clamoring for Holtz to receive more ice time based on his offensive production, both Lindy Ruff and Travis Green found it difficult to trust Holtz in an elevated role–That’s mostly because although Holtz is a highly skilled forward, he certainly struggles in the other two zones.”

That’s hockey code for turnovers and lack of coverage in the defensive zone.

If he doesn’t make a strong effort to improve, we do not think defense-first Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy will react well. For a similar example, Cassidy and Jake DeBrusk had a strained relationship when the pair were with Boston. DeBrusk had soft parts of his game, but not nearly the deficiency displayed by Holtz on the tougher end of the ice.

Rough waters ahead?

“Whether it be losing puck battles or committing turnovers, Holtz struggles defensively and will (often) commit a costly turnover,” said Nichols. “If he can clean up his neutral and defensive zone play by simply making more simple decisions outside of the attacking end of the ice, the Golden Knights have a top-six sniper in Holtz. If not, he’ll continue to be a highly skilled player who leaves you wanting more.”

Hotlz has played only 110 NHL games over his three professional seasons. He’s potted just 19 goals–16 of which were scored last season in 82 games–and registered 34 points. It has been an inauspicious beginning to his career, but McCrimmon has pushed his chips to the middle of the table in hopes Cassidy is the coach who can tap into Holtz’s skill.

No matter which of the lines Holtz skates, he’ll play with a talented center. The Golden Knight might have the most talented four centers in the league, at least when Cassidy uses Tomas Hertl and William Karlsson in the middle.

Vegas has been a city that has recused more than a few careers, including the Original Misfits Marchessault, Stephenson, Reilly Smith, and others. We’re about to find out if Holtz will be next, but he’ll need to make big changes before he can deliver a big impact.