On Alexander Holtz' 'demotion' to the 3rd line

Lindy Ruff's decision to move Holtz down the lineup is hardly egregious.

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Alexander Holtz has been a hot topic of conversation throughout the entirety of the New Jersey Devils’ seven-game preseason schedule.

Some believe he couldn’t have shown much better, recording three points (two goals and an assist) while playing mostly alongside Nico Hischier and Timo Meier on the team’s 2nd line.

Others were less impressed, citing disappointing on-ice metrics – among 13 eligible Devils forwards, Holtz ranked last in relative Corsi For% – and a lack of volume created at 5v5. The dangerous shooting winger generated only six shot attempts in more than 60 minutes of ice.

Truth be told, the quality of play from Holtz likely lies somewhere in the middle. He wasn’t as good as the counting stats would have you believe, nor as ineffective as some of his underlying profile appears.