I wouldn’t have thought we would see a season where Holtz played every game and yet I think it’s still reasonable to think he hasn’t really gotten an opportunity.
Guy has scored at a very good clip most of the season and didn’t get a chance at a better line. He’s getting some games with Hughes now that Hughes is missing an arm.
I think it would surprise people that at 5 on 5 a comparison of goals for and against with Toffoli is.
Holtz - 31 GF to 33 GA
Toffoli - 39 GF to 46 GA
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Last night is probably a good microcosm for Holtz. He set up a good chance after winning a forecheck battle. Most of the team wasn’t generating chances at that point. He covered for a pinching defenseman. He helped break up a 3 on 2 against with a strong back check.
At that point Holtz is probably feeling like he’s having more of a positive impact on the game than most Devils forwards.
Green then says Holtz made 1 bad play so he benched him from the next 20-30 minutes. If that’s the standard then most of the team would end up benched.
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So ya, if I’m Holtz I’m leaving last nights game pissed off and confused at why my positive plays don’t seem to matter and the coaches are hyper sensitive to my negative plays. I’d want out pretty badly at this point.
For me, I don’t think Holtz looks likely to be a star but it won’t surprise me if he has an arc like Kyle Palmieri. The Devils trade him and he ends up being a good goal scorer for his next team, who feels that they got a bargain.