Justin Holl Trade Options for the Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs and trade rumors go hand in hand.

One player whose name pops up a lot is Justin Holl. The 30-year-old right-shooting defenseman has been in trade rumors since he joined the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Holl registered three goals and 20 assists for 23 points in 69 games last season.

Holl also averaged over 20 minutes of ice time per game.
(Stats from hockey-reference.com)

Not one trade deadline or off-season goes by without hearing Holl’s name brought up in trade rumors. The funny thing is, teams usually look to add a right-shooting defenseman, not trade them away.

Holl makes only $2 million dollars and is a regular member of the top-four on a team that finished 4th overall.  He may not be a star, but for a cheap, right handed, physical defenseman who puts up decent numbers, he offers good value.

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas does not appear to be in a hurry to trade Holl. The 2022-23 season is the final year of Holl’s current contract, and the rumors will only intensify. Dubas still has RFA defenseman Rasmus Sandin unsigned. A trade will need to happen to fit Sandin on their roster. Holl appears to at least be an option for the odd man out.

Finding a trade partner is not always easy, but Holl’s size, numbers and handedness should make him easy enough to move.

Teams fit to add Toronto Maple Leafs Defenseman Justin Holl

Nashville Predators

The Nashville Predators have plenty of left-shooting defensemen but not many right-shooting ones. Holl could join Nashville’s defense as it is right now. Whether or not he fits into their top-four is up to them. Nashville is a bubble team with playoff potential. They could use Holl to bolster the right side of their defense. If they appear to be out of the playoff picture by the trade deadline in March, they can trade him.

Los Angeles Kings

The Los Angeles Kings should be a playoff team this season. They have the scoring ability, forward depth, and goaltending to take them far. However, their biggest weakness is defense. The Kings currently have just two right-shooting defensemen. Both Matt Roy and Sean Durzi appear to be ahead of Holl. A trade to the Kings would see Holl slot in on the right side of the third defense pairing.

Chicago Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks are in a rebuild. With Connor Murphy and Jake McCabe still on injured reserve, Chicago only has five active defensemen. Of those five, four of them are left-shooting defensemen.

As a right-shooting defenseman, Holl could slide into the Blackhawks’ top-four. The Blackhawks could then trade Holl at the NHL trade deadline.