Editor In Leaf
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Top 4 Toronto Maple Leafs Players Signed to a Bargain

By Michael Mazzei

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 03: Pierre Engvall #47 of the Toronto Maple Leafs controls the puck as Justin Holl #3 trails on the play against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center on December 3, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 03: Pierre Engvall #47 of the Toronto Maple Leafs controls the puck as Justin Holl #3 trails on the play against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center on December 3, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 03: Pierre Engvall #47 of the Toronto Maple Leafs controls the puck as Justin Holl #3 trails on the play against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center on December 3, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 03: Pierre Engvall #47 of the Toronto Maple Leafs controls the puck as Justin Holl #3 trails on the play against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center on December 3, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Justin Holl (1-year, $650 K)

It’s hard to believe that last season, Holl was in the press box for all but 11 games as he waited for his chance to shine.

A year later, he has been free of his shackles and is proving his value is immeasurable.

In 37 games, he has posted 1 goal, 10 assists, and 11 points, while also posting a 52.90 CF%, a50.73 xGF%, and a 53.06 SCF% at even strength. (all stats naturalstattrick.com).

His ice time has steadily increased throughout the season, especially in the month of December where he is averaging 19:29, including a career-high 26:10 against the Edmonton Oilers.

Since the Toronto Maple Leafs promoted Sheldon Keefe, Holl has also seen his role quickly evolve from the third-pairing to a shutdown role alongside Jake Muzzin.

As a result, he has been tasked to neutralize star players like Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, Sebastian Aho, and Elias Pettersson with successful results.

The icing on the cake is Holl is doing all of this while signed to a deal that is below the league minimum. It’s safe to say the Toronto Maple Leafs have themselves a diamond in the rough in the 27-year-old defender.

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