The Toronto Maple Leafs head into the 2025-26 season with their “DNA change” in mind. The club has made significant strides to achieve said change. But what if bringing someone from the past could further advance that shift?
Specifically, that blast from the past could be current Detroit Red Wings blue liner Justin Holl. Holl spent parts of six seasons with the Maple Leafs. During his time, he was the whipping boy for many of the Leafs’ defensive shortcomings.
Holl left Toronto following the 2022-23 season, signing a three-year deal in Detroit. However, he hasn’t quite found his footing with the Red Wings. Holl was unceremoniously cut at the start of the 2024-25 season, but found his way back into the lineup when injuries hit.
The 33-year-old ended up playing 73 games, racking up two goals and eight points. While Holl has never been an offensive dynamo, his offensive numbers dipped after leaving Toronto. That situation has exacerbated his defensive liabilities.
But what if a return to Toronto under Craig Berube helps turn his game around? Holl is the sort of player Berube likes to have. He’s big and has a mean streak about him. He’s similar to Simon Benoit in many respects. So, if Benoit can catch on with this current Maple Leafs iteration, why not Holl?
Moreover, the Maple Leafs could land Holl without having to spend an arm and a leg. The Red Wings would be happy to send Holl packing back to Toronto much the same way they did with Vladimir Tarasenko.
Maple Leafs Could Easily Claim Holl off Waivers
Like last season, there’s a very good chance the Red Wings place Justin Holl on waivers at some point in the season. So, the Maple Leafs could just claim him off waivers. That move would cost the Leafs nothing to pull off.
Otherwise, agreeing on a trade involving “future considerations” could get the deal done. But there’s one issue that could gum up the works for Holl’s return to Toronto. Holl has a $3.4 million cap hit that the Maple Leafs simply cannot afford to take on.
Unless the Red Wings were willing to take on another bad contract like Calle Jarnkrok or David Kampf, bringing in Holl would make no sense, cap-wise.
If the Red Wings were willing to retain 50%, that situation could cost the Maple Leafs a draft pick. Perhaps a late-rounder might sweeten the pot. But then again, would it make sense to trade a sixth or seventh-rounder for Holl?
Perhaps waiting till the offseason might be the best course of action.
Holl Seventh or Eighth Defenseman at Best
Let’s be realistic for a minute. Justin Holl is nothing more than a depth defenseman on a good team. He could slide in as a seventh or eighth defenseman for the Maple Leafs. It’s doubtful he can displace Benoit for the sixth spot on the Leafs’ blue line.
Then, Holl would have to contend with other depth blue liners like recently-acquired Henry Through, Dakota Mermis, and Marshall Rifai. The only reason the Leafs would insert Holl ahead of any of the aforementioned players would be injuries.
But then again, having too much depth is not necessarily a bad thing. For the right price, the Leafs could add Justin Holl, just in case.
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