A second round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Justin Holl‘s path to an NHL contract has been quite unorthodox.
After four years at the University of Minnesota, Holl signed with the Blackhawks’ AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs. He only played two games for Rockford, spending most of the year in the ECHL with the Indy Fuel. In 66 games, Holl recorded 34 points, though he was not brought back by the club.
Toronto Maple Leafs Roster Preview, 50-in-50: Justin Holl
Rather, he signed an AHL contract with the Toronto Marlies for the 2015-16 season. Lacking right handed defencemen, Holl saw the Marlies as an opportunity to play consistent minutes on a top AHL team.
Not only did he receive consistent minutes, he became a staple in the lineup. By season’s end, Justin Holl had played 60 games, recording 21 points. His play brought praise from Marlies head coach Sheldon Keefe and Leafs assistant general manager Kyle Dubas, repeatedly mentioning Holl’s name when asked about their top players.
After the Marlies defeat in the 2016 Calder Cup Playoffs, Holl finally signed his first NHL contract, at 24 years of age. Just a one year entry level deal, Holl had reassurance for the first time since his days at the University of Minnesota.
Once again a mainstay in the lineup as one of the few right handed defencemen, Holl often found himself paired with high scoring rookie Andrew Nielsen. Put with the risky defenceman to help offset Nielsen’s hit or miss play, Justin Holl was a steady defender in 2016-17.
With a place in the lineup from day one, Holl played 72 games, missing just four over the regular season. Although he played 12 more games than the year previous, in a more defensive role Holl scored 19 points, two less than 2016-17.
In the postseason, Holl found another level offensively. In the Marlies relatively short run in the Calder Cup Playoffs, Holl scored an impressive seven points in 11 games. He only scored one goal, but it had a major impact.
Profile (via EliteProspects)
Age: 25
Position: RHD
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 198 lbs
NHL Draft: Second Round, 54th Overall in 2010 by Chicago
Contract (via CapFriendly)
Coming off of his one-year entry level contract, Justin Holl was an RFA this past summer. The Leafs brought him back on another one year contract, giving him a raise in minor league salary.
After making $70,000 in minor league salary in 2016-17, Holl will receive a raise of $105,000 up to $175,000 in 2017-18. His contract does not have any signing or performance bonuses. If Holl plays in the NHL, he will make the league minimum of $650,000.
2017-18 Season
Holl is entering his third season in the Leafs organization, likely his third with the Toronto Marlies. The Marlies added another AHL veteran right defenceman in Vincent LoVerde this summer, adding to the competition on the right side.
It is likely Holl continues to play consistent minutes with the Marlies next season, though those minutes could be in a more diminished role. With two years under his belt in the organization and a lack of depth on the right side, an injury or two could see Justin Holl play in the NHL this season.
Though he may never be a full-time NHL defenceman, Justin Holl is still a very valuable player to the Toronto Marlies. Depth on the right side is vital and Holl proved he can help young defencemen transition to the pros in 2016-17. Holl could find himself beside Andrew Nielsen once against next year, but could also see time with AHL rookies Calle Rosen and Andreas Borgman.
Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images
