schmid averages over 3 gaa and has a 0.892 save percentage in the nhl. blackwood has better career stats. the sample size is still way too small for any conclusions.
I know you want to cram all of his few NHL games together, but..................
I can only think that Holtz's benching and Johnsson's recall means Holtz is headed back to the A?? Or?
Send him back. The Comets will take him. Then you'll have to find a new whipping boy. You guys are never happy unless you have somebody to criticize day in and day out. Replace that guy and the team will excel.
Alex is a 20-yr old 2nd yr pro who has to find his way and playing periodically at his age (7 of 25 games and siiting out at one time for 29 straight days) won't get it done. Playing on the 4th line won't do it either. The guy is an offensive player with a rocket for a shot. He needs to be fit into a slot where that makes the Devils a more threatening team to score.
Any player at his age who knows one slip and it's back to the bench or worse the press box, will be squeezing his stick so hard he leaves dents in it. No one can play under that kind of scrutiny especially when he sees the continual blunders being made by everyone else and some seemingly ad infinitum. Yet his mistake causes so many of the fan base to crucifixion level. How many games has Alex Holtz cost the Devils?
He was not a #1 overall. You guys beat up on your other #1 selections until most of them found their way. They had the chance to play on a regular basis and their errors were accepted by management and coaching as learning experience, but not by many of the fan base that only wanted glorious demonstrations every game to prove they were worth their draft spot. Most (not all) have abandoned their negativity with the kids who are now leading this franchise and more are coming. Heaven forbid any of them need a season or 2 to prove their worth. Now that the roster is flush, it appears no one including Ruff (who should know better) is willing to take this path with Alex. Patience with kids is a necessity. If you don't have it, trade your picks for guys already accomplished.
I disagree with how he is being managed and if they don't want to play him, he belongs back with the Comets. He was an undisputed star in the next best NA pro league to the NHL at 19 last season. Everyone said he can't do anymore at that level. He belongs in the NHL. Well, if his use in the NHL is how he is being utilized at the moment, the way veteran plugs are played, he is way better off playing every day in the AHL where the wrinkles the Devils want ironed out can take place. His defensive positioning here in his latest 3-game appearance was better than any other Comet and that includes the other 3 that Devils fans are calling for to take his place. Foote, Thompson, and Clarke. Those 3 are terrible defensively and they are not setting the world on fire offensively either.
Only Gambardella, Schmelzer, and Johnsson come close to Alex in defensive positioning.:
-One just doesn't have any offense and there are many workhorses just like him, so the NHL is not calling, Joe Gambardella. However, if you want someone to model how hard you should work every shift, he is your man. Perfect mentor and leader for kids at this level.
- Schmelzer just can't skate at the NHL level. He does all the little things very well. He is a perfect model for how centers are supposed to feed their wings and leads the Comets in assists as proof. He is the best penalty killer as well. He knows where to be and what to do. He's just way too slow for the next level.
- Johnsson is 7th yr pro with 246 NHL games played. He knows how to play the game and where he should be and what to do when he gets there. He doesn't fit into the Devils' plans and is too costly for a trade in the current cap crisis for most teams. He becomes a UFA at the ed of this season ansd omeone is likely to give him a contract if he takes a cut in salary. The SHL will pay him well if not.
