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Toronto Maple Leafs: 3 Players Who Will Surprisingly Return Next Year

By Stephen Nixon

TORONTO, CANADA - FEBRUARY 18: Ryan O'Reilly #90 skates in his 1st game as a Toronto Maple Leaf against the Montreal Canadiens during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 18, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Canadiens 5-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - FEBRUARY 18: Ryan O'Reilly #90 skates in his 1st game as a Toronto Maple Leaf against the Montreal Canadiens during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 18, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Canadiens 5-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
TORONTO, ON – MARCH 31: Justin Holl #3 of the Toronto Maple Leafs (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Justin Holl

If Cody Ceci was able to fetch $3.25M in free agency, you’d have to think Holl could do the same right?

They’re both very similar players, with Holl easily being the better option.

With six defenseman already signed, it would seem unlikely that Holl would return to the Leafs, but if Kyle Dubas is still the GM, anything is possible. Dubas is a big reason why Holl has found success at the NHL level, along with head coach Sheldon Keefe.

Once upon a time, the Leafs previous head coach Mike Babcock didn’t believe in Holl, but Dubas and Keefe did and he owes them a lot of gratitude. Will that thankfulness translate into a team-friendly discount with Toronto? Probably not, but I do think he could surprisingly return.

Although he’s found himself as the No. 7 defenseman at times, he’s shown that he can average 20 minutes per night and be a steady NHL defenseman. He doesn’t have a lot of offensive upside, but if he’s using his 6-foot-3, 200 pound frame correctly, he can be a tough player to play against down-low.

There will more than likely be a team that gives him a “Godfather” type of deal that he can’t refuse, but don’t be shocked if Holl is with the Leafs again next year.

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