The journeyman defenceman Justin Holl signs a contract. The Detroit Red Wings made the announcement to sign the defensive defenceman to a three-year deal with a $3.4 million AAV. For Holl, this is a sign that his 20+ average ice time over the past three seasons was appreciated. The fact that he has accomplished that feat in the pressure cooker that is Toronto, is all the more impressive.
Justin Holl has signed a three-year, $10.2M deal with the Red Wings. ✍️ pic.twitter.com/Ye02YGSXSe
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) July 1, 2023
Defenceman Justin Holl Signs Contract
When we say journeyman defenceman, we do not refer to his NHL career specifically. It was more of a product of what Holl had to do to get to the NHL. First of all, he was drafted back in 2010, as a second-round pick to the Chicago Blackhawks. Next, he decided to go to the University of Minnesota, where he stayed for the complete four years. After completing his collegiate career, he ended up playing in the ECHL for a year. The Toronto Maple Leafs organization liked what they saw, and had him signed to play for the Toronto Marlies back in 2015. It would be another season, but Lou Lamoriello gave Holl his NHL shot, signing him to his ELC in 2016. It’s fair to say, the rest as they say is history.
From a statistical standpoint, Holl has been effective for the Maple Leafs. Over the past four seasons, he has been a regular on their blueline. Furthermore, his point totals have ranged between 18 and 23 points in those four years. He has had steady defensive point share (DPS) numbers, being at 3.0 or more. Last year, this value peaked was a DPS of 4.5. He plays a fairly regular penalty kill shift as well, which makes him the more sought-after.
What Does This Mean for the Detroit Red Wings
As shown in his career, Holl plays a thankless selfless role. He is a defensive defenceman and can log over 20 minutes. Therefore, he plays an important role on a team. He can be a shutdown defender, play a regular shift, and has playoff experience. Having Holl on the backend can be seen as a safety net for an organization.
Main Photo: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
