Holtz, Latest on Blackwood & More
The New Jersey Devils are in the middle of a four-game home game that will continue tonight when the Los Angeles Kings visit the Prudential Center. The club has had a 1-1-0 record since returning to New Jersey and is now five points behind the Carolina Hurricanes, who are the top team in the Metropolitan Division.
The organization have been filming a few films over the past few days and below is a recap of everything fans need to know ahead of Thursday’s game.
Devils fight disease
Ahead of the Devils’ Feb. 21 game against the Montreal Canadiens, head coach Lindy Ruff said defenseman John Marino would be a game-time decision due to a non-Covid-related illness. He played, but it was clear he wasn’t 100 percent. The Devils battled the Canadiens and lost 5-2.
“Obviously we had some guys who were tired. We had some guys who were struggling with illnesses,” Ruff said during his post-game press conference.
Also see: 5 takeaways from the Devils’ 5-2 loss to the Canadiens
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Of course, he hinted that more than Marino wasn’t 100 percent. Not a few players looked away from the team’s recent defeat. After today’s morning skating, Ruff shared that something was going through the team and IV bags were being given out. The club had a much-needed day off yesterday to recover before taking on the Kings.
After the game against Montreal, Ruff put it best: “We have to treat calm as a weapon.”
Latest on Blackwood
During the team’s morning skate session on February 21, goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood made a change and left the ice early to meet with the coaches. The organization recalled the Utica Comets’ Akira Schmid, the American Hockey League member who served as Vitek Vanecek’s backup against the Habs.
After skating that morning, Ruff shared the following news about the 6ft 4 netminder: “I don’t have an update yet. He will see our doctors again tonight and we may know more after that.”
What’s wrong with Holtz?
On February 17th, the Devils announced Alexander Holtz was commissioned to the Utica comets. The 21-year-old has spent most of the 2022-23 season as a healthy scratch, playing in just 19 of New Jersey’s 57 games.
“He has to go play,” Ruff said of Holtz. “He has to get on the ice and have fun playing, be part of wins, be part of losses. He’s had too much off-game time.”
The next night, Holtz was in the Comets’ lineup, playing with Ryan Schmelzer and Andreas Johnsson in the top row. Two nights later, he injured his hip after a check against the Toronto Marlies. In a recent article, Benbirell shared that Holtz is considered daily (from ‘Utica Comets’ GM: If possible will try to ‘improve’ the team; Schmid recalled’, Daily Guardian02/21/23).
From what I understand, at least one team has shown an interest in Holtz, who was selected seventh overall in 2020. From the outside it looks like he doesn’t fit into the Devils’ plans. Holtz doesn’t have the pace to keep up with the team’s young core and isn’t effective on the third or fourth row. The writing is on the wall; If Holtz wants to be a full-time NHLer, it probably won’t be in New Jersey. The young Swede will be watched over the next week.
The trading deadline is fast approaching and while general manager Tom Fitzgerald has been quiet so far, things are about to change in a moment. For Ruff and his team, the task at hand is to collect wins and fight for first place in the division. Be sure to follow me Twitter for all news about the Devils.