Devils compartmentalizing about news of his impending departure

The New Jersey Devils delayed far too long to let Lindy Ruff go. Though it was evident during the 2023–24 season that he was not the coach to lead the team to greater heights, the Devils were never going to break ways in the offseason of 2023 with a Jack Adams nominee who made a substantial contribution to the 2022–23 Devils’ triumph. He infamously mishandled the growth of Alexander Holtz, the seventh-overall draft pick in 2020, among a host of other problems. Holtz is now the one who stands to benefit the most from Ruff’s exit.

Ruff limited Holtz’s ice time and routinely buried him on the fourth line. He is averaging 11:35 of ice time per game in the 2023–24 campaign. Notably, Holtz’s Stadium Series playing time was a mere 5:53. Holtz is deserving of better. In 61 appearances, the winger has 13 goals and 11 assists despite the dearth of opportunities.