LAS VEGAS – It sometimes takes a change of scenery and a different voice to help a player tap his potential.
In Vegas, that’s the case for Golden Knights forward Alexander Holtz. He may have found the place for him.
Holtz is riding a five-game point streak (one goal, four assists), entering tonight’s game against the Utah Hockey Club at T-Mobile Arena. The puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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— NHL Sverige (@NHLsv) October 23, 2024
“It was a matter of time when the points started to go in,” Holtz said. “Hopefully, I can contribute a little bit more.”
Holtz’s offense, primarily his shot, was never the concern. It was his defensive abilities that had people wondering. In 121 career games, he’s minus-26 in terms of plus-minus but is neutral this season thus far.
Naturally, plus-minus doesn’t tell the whole story, but there were questions about Holtz on the defensive end, especially in Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy’s system.
The coaches and Holtz discussed this before the season and continue to do so. Holtz said he senses that he’s improving in that area of his game.
“I’m a better player than last year,” Holtz said.
Holtz initially started the season alongside forwards Tomas Hertl and Pavel Dorofeyev before being shuffled around in an attempt to find where he fits best. As of right now, Holtz is finding chemistry alongside two-way forward and fellow Swede William Karlsson and Tanner Pearson.
“I feel way more comfortable,” Holtz said. “Playing on a line with Will and ‘Pears” has been helping a lot.”
Cassidy typically likes his younger players to be surrounded by veterans. He’s done so with Cole Schwidnt and Pavel Dorofeyev – both of whom also play alongside veteran Golden Knights.
“It’s easier for their development,” Cassidy said. “As a coach, you must have some patience and understand where they are in their career and help them build value in [all] areas. They have to buy-in. It’s easier to do that when you’re playing alongside established guys. It makes it easier for you and [they] pull you along.”
In Holtz’s case, Karlsson will do a lot of the lifting defensively as one of the NHL’s elite two-way centers. Meanwhile, Pearson provides a steady left winger.
“They complement each other,” Cassidy said. “‘Karly’ plays against a lot of good lines. If [Holtz is] going to stay on that line, he’s going to have to value that work and check well when you don’t have the puck to get it back. He has, so far.”
Holtz called playing with Karlsson “super fun” and “awesome.”
“You learn a lot with the small talk you have with him every day,” Holtz said.
All in all, Cassidy wants Holtz to contribute in all areas of the game.
“Play the way we want you to play. Be one of the five guys on the ice who are playing the right way, and the pucks will find you,” Cassidy said. “Now [Holtz is] making a few plays.”
Paul Delos Santos is the Las Vegas sports insider for Dice City Sports. Follow him on X at @PaulDelos_.
