It’s not as quite as impressive as one of their other recent signings, but the Toronto Maple Leafs have retained an interesting young player. Justin Holl has signed a two-year contract with the team that carries a cap hit of $675K. Holl was an important player for the Toronto Marlies on their way to a Calder Cup this season, and even made his NHL debut in 2017-18.
Holl, 26, may not look like much of an NHL prospect after failing to earn an NHL contract after college and spending the first several seasons of his professional career in the minor leagues, but with new Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas he very well could be. Holl has been a pet project of Dubas since he joined the organization in 2015, and lists him as one of Toronto’s great successes of their new player development program. Holl seemed to reward his then-AGM’s faith when he received an emergency call-up, scoring two goals on his first two NHL shots. The big defenseman is anything but lumbering, and loves to carry the puck and jump into the rush—sometimes to the detriment of his team’s defensive structure.
The Maple Leafs are notoriously thin on the right side of their defense, with Nikita Zaitsev and Connor Carrick representing the only two true right-handed options with much NHL experience in the organization—Ron Hainsey, who also played the right side last season is left-handed. Holl could very well represent the next available option along with newcomer Igor Ozhiganov. Prospects Timothy Liljegren and Jordan Subban aren’t ready for the NHL at this point, meaning there very well could be another chance for Holl to make an impact at some point this season.
great Young player. watched him in the Calder playoffs
Also 2 goals in his only 2 games. Not that it’s a sign he’s an offensive guy, just pretty cool he kept the 1 GPG stat.
They think he is a cinch to make the Holl Of Fame but I think he would do better with the Catheter Cup or having that procedure. How will be play against Buffalo and Montreal? We have to wait until it happens. Where is Punch Imlach when we really need him? Watching Tim horton in St. Catherines.
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