Devils reassign 2020 first-round pick to AHL

The New Jersey Devils cleared a roster spot by sending prospect Alexander Holtz back to the minor leagues, but don’t get too excited. Ryan Novozinsky of NJ.com tweets that there is no imminent trade, and the team just wanted to get the young forward some game reps.

Holtz, 21, has only appeared in 19 games for the Devils this season, and even when he is in the lineup, he barely sees the ice. Averaging just over 10 minutes a game, there have been several matches where Holtz has received fewer than 10 shifts. He has just one NHL game since Jan. 7 and has only appeared three times in the AHL this season.

Getting him some actual playing experience is important, especially given how well he transitioned to the AHL last year. In 52 games, Holtz scored 26 goals to lead the Utica Comets and showed that he was already advanced for that level.

Now, with Jack Hughes getting closer to a return and the Devils poking around on other forward additions, Holtz might as well go back to start playing regularly in the minor leagues.