Toronto Maple Leafs: Justin Holl signs two-year deal
By James Reeve
The Toronto Maple Leafs continued their positive offseason work and locked down defenceman Justin Holl for another two years.
Justin Holl has agreed to a two-year deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs worth $675,000 per season, after impressing for the Calder Cup-winning Toronto Marlies.
Holl, originally a second-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010, has taken a long route as he tries to establish himself in the NHL, with spells in college, the ECHL and most recently in the AHL.
The 26-year-old’s first taste of the big leagues came in a two-game spell with the Maple Leafs last season, where he looked impressive in both games and even picked up two goals – not a bad record for someone called up purely for injury cover.
The @MapleLeafs have signed defenceman Justin Holl to a two-year contract. The annual average value of the contract is $675,000. #TMLtalk
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) July 3, 2018
Holl, who has been a solid player for the Marlies, will now hope to continue his long journey and make a few more NHL appearances with the Leafs next season.
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The right-hander will compete with players such as Calle Rosen and Timothy Liljegren for his opportunity, but could find himself called up at times with the Leafs having little defensive depth outside their top six.
The Leafs’ top six is also still something that could be debated, with their bottom pairing most likely to be Travis Dermott and Connor Carrick as it stands.
With the 6-foot-3, 205 pound Holl now signed until 2020, the Leafs organisation has the opportunity to see what kind of player they really have – being able to determine if he will play many more games at the NHL level.
If that proves to not be the case, they have an experienced right-handed defenceman who can compete well at the AHL level and has experienced winning a championship in the city – something that will benefit the likes of Rasmus Sandin‘s development moving forward.
Next: Matt Martin trade gives salary cap flexibility
What do you think Toronto Maple Leafs fans? Are you happy with Holl’s contract? Do you think he’ll get to feature in the NHL more this season or not? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!