It is time to pull the plug on Alexander Holtz (for now)

The 20-year-old has struggled to produce and posted very underwhelming on-ice numbers.

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I like Alexander Holtz. I think he can and will be a solid player in this league. But his time is not now; at least not in New Jersey.

Holtz has played in six consecutive games as a byproduct of some injuries up front. To say he’s failed to take advantage of the opportunity would be an understatement.

Holtz has not logged a lot of ice time, playing just over 46 minutes at 5v5 over the last six games. That’s not because Lindy Ruff is being stubborn, though. Holtz has done absolutely nothing to give Ruff cause for loosening the leash.

No matter which metrics you look at – on-ice or individual – Holtz doesn’t grade out very well.

We’ll start with individual. Holtz is a shooter. I think his passing ability is underrated but, by and large, the Devils drafted him to shoot and to score.

Holtz has averaged 0.19 ixG per 60 since being reinserted into the lineup. That ranks him dead last – by quite a bit – among Devils forwards.

He has generated only 3.88 scoring chances per 60, which is also last among forwards – and slots him below the likes of Ryan Graves.

Holtz has created zero chances off the rush and zero high-danger chances. Kevin Bahl aside, every player on the team has at least one rush chance over the last six games – rush play is the Devils’ bread and butter – and every other forward has at least one Grade A opportunity.