Confirmed Signing with Link: [DET] D Justin Holl signs with the Red Wings (3 years, $3.4M AAV)
- Thread starter MMC
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TheGroceryStick
Registered User
I'll preface by saying- I grew to really dislike Holl..but, when he's able to activate offensively, keep it simple defensively (especially on PK). He is, infact, and serviceable number 4/5 ..who's mins ramp up depending on game situations.
Most Leaf fans will laugh when I mention offense with Holl...be realistically, he was actually decent when he decided to pinch.
Most Leaf fans will laugh when I mention offense with Holl...be realistically, he was actually decent when he decided to pinch.
KevinRedkey
12/18/23 and beyond!
- Jan 22, 2010
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How so?
They all scream "Plan C" to me. A very forgettable bunch. No one is drooling over the idea of signing any of them.
MoreMogilny
Cap'n
Holl’s O zone instincts are awful. The amount of odd man rush situations he created due to a poorly timed pinch were off the charts bad.
The positives for Holl are that he shoots right. And that he’s big.
For his size he’s an absolutely muffin out there.
TheGroceryStick
Registered User
I knew I was gunna get BBQd for that. Haha
Overall he seemed hesitant in the pinch - but when he committed, he seemed adequate. (I vaguely remember him getting a fair share of late period Ozone attempts/goals, when he knew he could go in confidently)
Not saying it's a strength by any means...but who knows, maybe a different system and less spotlight does wonders for em.
MoreMogilny
Cap'n
There’s certainly a coaching element too
Holl had his moments of looking really solid. I remember watching him on the Marlies being impressed with his puck moving abilities way back when. When he joined the Leafs I felt like there was a lot to like there. But he just struggled mightily in the brains department.
Keefe absolutely leaned on him too much and that drew a lot of negative attention from Leafs fans.
He’ll score a goal and play 25 minutes of shutdown D against the Leafs in their first meeting next season
ToMaLe
Registered User
TheGroceryStick
Registered User
Won't lie. I lost a bit (of pride) with this signing - I was telling everyone he'd be the first guy Dubas went after... with Holl having them pictures and all. 
RickyLafleur
Fall of Pierre
Also maybe not playing for the Leafs defense.
In no way would I call the Leafs defense great but they did finish 3 goals out of top 5 last year.
Preventing goals was not an issue.
Tufted Titmouse
13 Cups.
- Apr 5, 2022
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Should be interesting to revisit this one later. Holl currently sitting at 48% scoring chances for with an on ice shooting percentage of 30% and an on ice sv% of 97%. Seems sustainable.
If that PDO ever regresses, then perhaps we can add him to the long list of Leafs who get pumped up when they get some good results early only to be forgotten and ignored once they regress to their career norms (Mikheyev, Brown, Sandin are some recent examples).
KrisLetAngry
MrJukeBoy
He's doing great right now let's see if he can keep it going.
Honestly from what I have gathered is he was a young defensemen with a pay day coming to him the Leafs could not afford and they could not keep with the mistakes he made.
Let's see how he is doing at the 41 game mark.
Tufted Titmouse
13 Cups.
- Apr 5, 2022
- 6,222
- 8,322
He's 31, so I am not sure young is the right term.
Leafs took a gamble on him and stuck with him throughout his development. Unfortunately, he never really could handle the big boy minutes in the top 4 against teams like Boston and Colorado, so there was no way to pay him 3.5 to be a PKer specialist and 3rd pairing Dman when they have so much cap tied up in forwards.
Glad he got his payday, though.
KrisLetAngry
MrJukeBoy
Wait wait wait. He's 31!
I always thought he was 26 or 27. I never checked his age or anything holy smokes. Never mind retract statement.
NyQuil
Big F$&*in Q
It certainly reminds everyone that plus/minus is a bit of a wonky statistic when it used to be the definitive metric for evaluating a defensive defenceman in the 80s. 
Recipe Unlimited
Registered User
- Sep 1, 2019
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I don't want to sound like I am crazy, but Justin Holl is quite possibly the best defenceman in the league. This is a clear Steve Yzerman masterclass.
Quite possibly? He is definitively the best defenseman of all time.
HockeyVirus
Woll stan.
- Nov 15, 2020
- 19,437
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The irony of taking a Leafs cast off who instantly becomes your best defensive dman, and then suggesting it is the Leafs defense that sucks
This is spot on.
Keefe played him 20 mins a night against tough competition.
If Det keeps his mins (around 14 mins EV, 2 mins PK) I think he could be a useful part.
He was certainly a whipping boy in Toronto but I always thought he was just mismanaged
You’re living up to your title of “worst poster on the forum” if you believe Holl’s the Wings best Dman
HockeyVirus
Woll stan.
- Nov 15, 2020
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Hammettf2b
oldmanyellsatcloud.jpg
No, I think its suggesting that the signing isn't as terrible as everyone thought. Still too early to tell for me but I can't complain on what he's done so far.
HockeyVirus
Woll stan.
- Nov 15, 2020
- 19,437
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Justin Holl played top 4 minutes for the Leafs for 3 years. His issue was never being a non NHL option, that was something the main boards invented.
HIs issue is when you need him most he forgets how to play hockey. If the Wings are in a playoff race down the stretch, expect him to become your worst dman.
