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Toronto Maple Leafs: Justin Holl Remains Obvious Spot to Upgrade

By Jeff Borsuk

TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 1: Justin Holl #3 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the Colorado Avalanche during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on December 1, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Avalanche 8-3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 1: Justin Holl #3 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the Colorado Avalanche during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on December 1, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Avalanche 8-3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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This has been Justin Holl’s year. With the Toronto Maple Leafs reeling from major injuries to their top defenders, they’ve had to rely upon others to help fill the gap. Holl, not only stepped up when the opportunity was presented to him, but has been outstanding.

This season, as the Toronto Maple Leafs most under-appreciated defenseman, Holl is logging the most minutes in his career, playing an average of 21:25 per contest.

That time is also being trusted to the Tonka Bay, Minnesota native in pivotal moments in the game. Coach Sheldon Keefe is sending Holl over the boards for 67.1-per cent of his starts in the defensive zone. It’s also the highest of his career.

The numbers look good for Holl, even though he is slightly under water when it comes to puck possession and allowing scoring chances.  The Leafs are winning his minutes my a significant margin, and even though he’s being deployed like a top pairing player, he’s still posting a positive Expected Goals rating.

There is no debate that Justin Holl has been excellent this season.  However, the fact remains that if the Leafs want to upgrade their blue line, he is still the odd man out.

Rielly is going nowhere, and niether is Brodie.  Liljegren and Sandin are younger and better and cheaper, while Mark Giordano provides maybe the best value in the league.  Therefore, as good as he’s been, it might be time to sell high on Justin Holl.

Toronto Maple Leafs and Justin Holl

This is exactly what the Leafs were hoping for but with Holl’s success puts General Manager Kyle Dubas in a difficult position. He will need to make a decision on the future the 30-year-old has with the organization.

If the Leafs are happy with their blue-line, then Justin Holl will continue to be a valuable member.  However, he is the obvious spot for an upgrade, and he is a pending unrestricted free-agent that it is unlikely the Leafs will re-sign.

Despite Holl’s ten-team no-trade clause, this could mean trying to include Holl in a trade, especially if the goal is to trade for a top talent. As a player with a low cap-hit who is a pending UFA, who is also patrolling the right side on the top pairing of a contending team, Holl may be a surprisingly strong trade asset.

Next. The No-Call That Should Have Been a Suspension. dark

Time will tell what the Leafs choose to do but the clock may be running out on Holl in blue and white.

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