I’m Alex Newhook looked like a completely lost cause in Colorado. Montreal picked him up and while he's not doing incredibly well he has seemingly turned a corner and become a viable player. Sometimes it's fit and sometimes it's something else. In Holtz's case I just think he's a remedial student that needs a personal tutor and loads and loads of time to go over the lessons until he's seen everything enough times that he doesn't have to think about it for as long before he actually does it. On some level I think McLeod was like that. He only really started to turn the corner last year in the playoffs when he was already 25 or so. Holtz just strikes me as a guy that will improve slowly each season but won't really settle in until relatively late for a high first round pick. I doubt NJ wants to go through that process but I doubt any other team does either.
Montreal picked Newhook up because he’s a center and non-Habs fan’s citation needed on him doing “incredibly well”.
If Newhook is capable of shooting 20.34% at 5v5 every season from now on, then sure, future success awaits him.
Holtz’s play style doesn’t work that well in the NHL, he likes to slow it down and find open ice. Coaches can have him chase the puck all day, he’s not going to fundamentally change how he approaches the game.
He actually has good awareness, his passing shows it, and he can sometimes score if he’s plopped in front of the net.
Scoring wingers is tough position to stick at.
Where does he play? Not sure I see him ever playing with Jack, he can’t play with Nico, so it’s either the 3rd line or a different team/ league.
