Still 3 Weeks Away

I don’t think there is a whole lot of mystery left. Maybe Holtz starts in AHL and we try to rotate Tierney or Clarke or someone else into lineup. But my bet is what you’ve got is it.

Not a chance in hell Holtz starts in the AHL. It's far more likely Nemec makes the team if we're talking about maybes

I would be very surprised if Nemec makes team. Fitzy wants that extra ELC year. And I think he has been paired with Witherspoon in camp.

If we have 24 guys worthy to make team….the exempt player (Holtz) would be the one moved off roster. But if that occurs, once Holtz comes up, he will be up for good.

Fitz called Holtz a "pillar piece," and said this year he "sinks or swims in the NHL." Many beat writers said he looks much quicker this year. He is on a line with Hischier and Meier in camp. There is no shot he gets sent down.

As for Nemec, Fitz said he would have a legit shot in camp, and I have not heard anything more than speculation on keeping Nemec down for contract reasons, although that would make sense.

To me it's more plausible that Nemec would force his way onto the roster than that Holtz would be the odd man out if we have an extra skater of NHL quality

I think the above lineup is likely what we’ll get. Holtz has always been in our long-term plans. If there is any deviation, it would be an injury…or short-term roster management move.