Rankings of Evaluated Prospects

1. Alexander Holtz (today)

2. Lucas Raymond (04/28/2020)

Profile

Alexander Holtz is an 18-year-old Swedish right-winger. He is one of the bigger forwards at the top of the board, as he checks in at 6-feet tall and 183 pounds. Holtz, like his countryman Lucas Raymond, has played his hockey in Sweden, specifically with Djurgärdens IF. In the final 2020 European Draft Prospect Rankings, Holtz came in at second, after being ranked third in the midterm rankings.

Holtz played three games in the SuperElit this season, tallying a whopping seven goals to go along with two assists. The season before he also played in the SuperElit and scored 30 goals in 38 games. In the SHL this season, while playing in a limited role, he was productive, as he racked up 16 points (nine goals, seven assists). In the 2020 World Junior Championships, he contributed five points in seven games for Team Sweden. 

The Scouting Report

Strengths

Holtz is a sniper, a pure goal scorer. His offensive skills are one of the best in the class as his shot, both wrist and slap, are terrific. Another reason for the goal-scoring skills is because of his ability to find open space on the ice, and his awareness and hockey-IQ are terrific. Also, it’s worth noting Holtz has a terrific motor and never gives up on a play. More on this in a bit.

His production as a whole in junior hockey has also been impressive. In 52 SuperElit games, Holtz has totaled 64 points (41 goals, 23 assists). Internationally, Holtz was also impressive, as he tallied 60 points (32 goals, 28 assists) in 56 junior international games (excludes WJCs).

Weaknesses

Holtz has very few weaknesses. However, a couple of aspects he can work on is his defense and skating. Each of these areas is perfectly fine and probably better than most. His defense overall is pretty good, but he does sometimes have lapses due to his positioning/defensive awareness. However, these lapses are made up by his high motor.

His skating is also fine and like has been mentioned a few times, Holtz is always going all out. So a perceived struggle with acceleration and skating on his edges are less worrisome thanks to this trait. Overall, there are very few things that need fixing in his game.

Projection

Holtz moved up a spot among the final 2020 European Draft Prospect Rankings, trailing only Tim Stützle among European skaters. However, it seems as if his competition of North American skaters has increased, as the likes of Marco Rossi and Cole Perfetti have seen their respective draft stocks skyrocket. Despite this, I still expect Holtz to be taken anywhere between selections five and seven. So the Devils will have a shot to take him come draft day.

Fit With the Devils

I wrote in my last draft profile featuring Lucas Raymond that the Devils should pursue a pure goal scorer instead of a playmaker. Holtz fits this profile perfectly. Comparisons he has been getting are similar to the likes of Daniel Sedin and Jack Eichel, each of whom are terrific goal scorers in their own right. If Holtz is the best player on the board come draft day, the Devils must pull the trigger, as he fits a huge need perfectly.