Stephen
Moderator
- Feb 28, 2002
- 82,315
- 60,657
Oh, I've seen both play and I think I'm just seeing all players make mistakes in this league and some more than others. Some get amplified a little too much without context though....and I can also take into account the team Chychrun is playing on.
If you want to see the actual excel file stuff since Keefe came in 2019 and made Holl a regular, here are the top 10 dmen for 5v5 xGF% over that time who have played at least 2000 minutes:
1. Cale Makar
2. Devon Toews
3. Charlie McAvoy
4. Jake Muzzin
5. Sam Girard
6. MacKenzie Weegar
7. Victor Hedman
8. Shea Theodore
9. Adam Pelech
10. Justin Holl
Considering the oZone starts Muzz and Holl get, thats an impressive list to be on with a near 150 game sample size.
You (and a lot of other folks) might have been a little hard on Holl is all I'm saying. He's been an absolute steal for us up to this point.
Well, like I said, I think he gets more flak for his high profile unforced errors, ill timed pinches and getting caught flat footed than pure volume of mistakes that cost his team. Keep in mind he also earned some healthy scratches earlier in the season which coincided with the Leafs first winning streak of the season so his quality of play has caught the attention of more than vocal fans and this team is capable of rolling without him for a decent stretch.
In terms of underlying numbers, I think he's always had support from that community for strong numbers as your 5v5 xGF% suggests but you're talking about the Holl vs Chychrun, that's obviously an extreme example of a top 4 guy on a top 5-7 team in goal scored and goals differential vs a player who is logging 24 minutes on a team with a .292 winning percentage.
Is he a steal? He's cheap and serviceable, but beyond that, meh? My big take away is they should have him on a shorter defensive leash, take away some of the frillier east west options and give him stricter defensive parameters. I guess the offensive possession game needs players on the blueline to be activated but I'd give him more of an amber light than a green light when it comes to joining the rush. When he goes deep the payoff usually isn't there. Keep it simple.