With the NHL Draft approaching, the Anaheim Ducks will have an important decision to make with the sixth-overall pick. I did an article in June, which highlighted seven players who the Ducks could pick at sixth overall and over the next week or so, I’ll be doing individual player profiles. This player profile will focus on Alexander Holtz.
Holtz played in the SHL this season, Sweden’s top professional league, at just 17 years old and scored nine goals and 16 points in 35 games. He has a wicked release, with the puck coming off his stick before the goalie can even begin to track it and there shouldn’t be any doubt that his scoring ability will translate to the NHL. Whether he’s right beside the net looking for a tip-in or rebound or holding the puck at the top of the circle, he’s always going to be a threat to score any time he's on the ice.
In terms of how his production measures up to past draft picks, it’s quite a bit higher than 2018 first-round pick Isac Lundestrom, with their goal and points per 82 game averages show below from their draft year in the SHL:
In terms of how he’d fit positionally, Anaheim is certainly in need of scoring wingers and Holtz would be a great addition to the lineup. The Ducks have struggled to score and Holtz would be a long-term solution up front.
That said, while I do like Holtz quite a bit, I think picking him at sixth-overall would mean passing on players who excel in multiple areas and may have higher overall upside. That’s not to say the other parts of Holtz’s game are lacking, as his skating, intensity and puck control are all assets as well. But he will certainly be a scorer, first and foremost.
So while I think he’d be a great pick a few spots later, I don’t know that the Ducks should go after Holtz with the sixth-overall pick, though it is always a possibility.
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Here’s today’s poll question (results and discussion will be posted in a future article):
Would you be happy with the selection if the Ducks took Alexander Holtz with the sixth-overall pick?