Justin Holl. Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Longtime Maple Leafs defenseman signs with division rival

Originally posted on Daily Faceoff | By Mike Gould | Last updated 7/2/23

The Detroit Red Wings have signed defenseman Justin Holl to a three-year contract, TSN’s Chris Johnston reported Saturday afternoon.

Holl, 31, collected two goals and 18 points while averaging 20:14 in 80 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2022-23 regular season.

The 6-foot-3 defenseman, who shoots right, logged 19:45 per night and picked up one assist in eight playoff games with the Maple Leafs in 2023.

Holl’s new deal with the Red Wings reportedly carries a $3.4 million cap hit, a substantial pay raise over the $2 million he earned with the Maple Leafs in 2022-23.

Justin Holl is heading to the #redwings on a three-year contract carrying a $3.4M AAV.@NorthStarBet @TSN_Sports
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 1, 2023

The Chicago Blackhawks originally selected Holl in the second round (No. 54 overall) of the 2010 NHL Draft. The Edina, Minnesota, product ultimately ended up not signing with the Blackhawks upon the conclusion of his four-year tenure at the University of Minnesota.

The Maple Leafs signed Holl in 2016 after he put up 21 points in 60 games as a first-year American Hockey League player with the Toronto Marlies. Holl made his NHL debut with the Maple Leafs in the 2017-18 season, scoring two goals in two games.

After winning the Calder Cup with the Marlies in 2018, Holl established himself as an NHL regular with the Maple Leafs the following year. Somewhat controversially, the Maple Leafs elected to protect Holl over forward Jared McCann (who ended up being selected by Seattle) in the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft.

Through 285 career NHL games over parts of six seasons with the Maple Leafs, Holl has racked up 11 goals and 82 points while also averaging 19:40 per night. He’s added three assists in 25 career playoff contests.

Holl will join a Red Wings defensive group that also includes Moritz Seider, Simon Edvinsson, Jake Walman, Ben Chiarot, Gustav Lindstrom, Olli Maatta and a strong group of young prospects.

This article first appeared on Daily Faceoff and was syndicated with permission.

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