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4 Players Toronto Maple Leafs Could Lose in Expansion Draft

By Stephen Nixon

TORONTO, ON - MARCH 29: Michael Hutchinson #30 of the Toronto Maple Leafs warms up prior to playing against the Edmonton Oilers in an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on March 29, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 29: Michael Hutchinson #30 of the Toronto Maple Leafs warms up prior to playing against the Edmonton Oilers in an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on March 29, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
Jan 20, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (97) hits the crossbar as Toronto Maple Leafs   Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2: Justin Holl

Holl’s stock has skyrocketed in value over the past two seasons. After being healthy-scratched over 70 times two years ago, Holl has emerged as a top-four defenseman and someone who plays a shutdown role very well.

The 29-year-old was a former second-round pick, so there was always potential for him, but it took him a long time to finally become a full-time NHLer.

As a result, Toronto has a big decision to make, as to whether or not they value Holl or Alex Kerfoot more. There’s no likely scenario where the team could really keep both of them (theoretically, at least, the Leafs could work out a trade whereby they pay Seattle not to take either one), so whichever player they decide to keep, the other one could easily get picked up by Seattle.

Holl’s $2M contract for a top-four defenseman is very valuable, so that could make them want to keep him over Kerfoot, who’s scheduled to make $3.5M next year.

If Seattle picks Holl, they would be getting a “veteran” defenseman at a cheap price and he’d be someone who could easily slide into a top-six every day role.

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