Confirmed with Link: Red Wings sign D Justin Holl 3 years, 10.2M (3.4M AAV)

[OneMoreTry]

Well, it's just 3 years. It's not a signing that gets anyone exited, but it doesn't block cap long term and isn't much of a problem. The main issue is that there were better players available in that price range, that signed elsewhere.

That said, Lindstrom needs to be sent on waivers when those young D in GR look ready, and one of Holl/Chiarot would need to sit in the pressbox...

...if all D were healthy, which in reality never happens.

 

[Perfect Human]

Well, it's just 3 years. It's not a signing that gets anyone exited, but it doesn't block cap long term and isn't much of a problem. The main issue is that there were better players available in that price range, that signed elsewhere.

That said, Lindstrom needs to be sent on waivers when those young D in GR look ready, and one of Holl/Chiarot would need to sit in the pressbox...

...if all D were healthy, which in reality never happens.

Lindstrom is one of the top 4-5 right handed D in the entire organization. Let that sink in.

 

[OneMoreTry]

That's probably why SY drafted 3 new RHD.

 

[JediOrderPizza]

Lindstrom is one of the top 4-5 right handed D in the entire organization. Let that sink in.

We had Lilja when we were cup contenders.

 

[raymond23]

Lindstrom is one of the top 4-5 right handed D in the entire organization. Let that sink in.

That’s really not that bad, not even on the opening night roster?

 

[Leibinger6]

The solution to better defense/less goals is to add better forwards and point producers. Even the best defenders on the planet look bad with no offense to keep the opponents on their heels.

Take Marc Staal eating big minutes for the Panthers in the playoffs. Most of us were happy to see him leave. But the Panthers set of forwards is lethal and allows his simple game to flourish.

Steve is missing the bigger picture as he keeps pounding the table for more D in both FA and draft, not realizing his forward group is so poor, other teams can just stay on attack mode every game.

That said, if Leafs fans thought Holl was bad, just wait until he’s alongside a worse D partner and no forwards to alleviate pressure.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

I keep hearing he's bad because he's bad. Circular logic.

Like he's making $3 million for 3 years, so I'm not expecting an all-star here. The contract is representative of someone that is a modest addition with the intention of adding more physicality to the blueline.

It's Ericsson all over again. Ericsson got put into big spots because nobody else could do it. And then he got exposed against top lines and people dumped on him for years and years.

Like the way people are talking here, Holl is lucky to be in the league.

Or its a declarative statement of fact and nothing circular about it. Surprised to see that amount and term for Holl. Better argument for E. Johnson at that price.

 

[GreatGordie9]

After what Gudas signed for at 4Million AAV for three years was there discussion with Gudas's agent to come to Detroit. Holl I believe will be long gone before the three years are up. The difference was 600K a year. I would have been happy with Stevie spending an extra 600K per year for Gudas.

 

[Leibinger6]

These D signings inspire hope to see two of Edvinsson, Wallinder, or AlJo crack the lineup this year. You can’t convince me Holl, Lindstrom, and Chiarot are better options than those 3, especially if their game takes that next step.

 

[SantosHalper]

Steve is missing the bigger picture as he keeps pounding the table for more D in both FA and draft, not realizing his forward group is so poor, other teams can just stay on attack mode every game.

Steve is missing the big picture? LMFAO, now i've heard everything. He used 2 of 3 last 1st round picks on centers and this last 4 years he build this team from defense to centers first, because defenseman takes longer to develop. D-men and centers are most hardest position's to fill and Red Wings starting to have deep pools in both. Wingers are literally easiest to find and they also require shortest time to develop.

 

[Henkka]

Steve is missing the big picture? LMFAO, now i've heard everything. He used 2 of 3 last 1st round picks on centers and this last 4 years he build this team from defense to centers first, because defenseman takes longer to develop. D-men and centers are most hardest position's to fill and Red Wings starting to have deep pools in both. Wingers are literally easiest to find and they also require shortest time to develop.

Exactly.

He is building that future core in right order. Also at same time, he has to fix these on-ice holes with short-term deals.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

Perhaps this is why they are willing to draft defensive defensemen with 2nd round picks....

 

[Leibinger6]

I would’ve paid Gudas 6M AAV for a couple years before I’d take Holl at any rate.

 

[kliq]

Lindstrom is one of the top 4-5 right handed D in the entire organization. Let that sink in.

What is your expectation for the 5th best RD on any team? Guys like Lindstrom are exactly the level of player that usual is. If you said he was a top 4/5 D-man in general, then I would see your point. You're essentially saying he's top 10.

 

[Hockeyfan2390]

Leafs fans about to send Yzerman an edible arrangement for taking their right-handed Jonathan Ericsson.

 

[lomekian]

The solution to better defense/less goals is to add better forwards and point producers. Even the best defenders on the planet look bad with no offense to keep the opponents on their heels.

Take Marc Staal eating big minutes for the Panthers in the playoffs. Most of us were happy to see him leave. But the Panthers set of forwards is lethal and allows his simple game to flourish.

Steve is missing the bigger picture as he keeps pounding the table for more D in both FA and draft, not realizing his forward group is so poor, other teams can just stay on attack mode every game.

That said, if Leafs fans thought Holl was bad, just wait until he’s alongside a worse D partner and no forwards to alleviate pressure.

TBF there's a good chance that Holl's role here is more two way which is a far better fit for his game rather than just being a defensive only option.

 

[Umingmak]

The more I think about this, the more I hate it.

 

[saska sault]

I would’ve paid Gudas 6M AAV for a couple years before I’d take Holl at any rate.

Thats why none of us are employed by any sports organization.

 

[Mijatovic]

Holl is quite much better. Ideal guy for 3rd pair.

Yeah, I am not sure Holl gets middle of the road numbers playing behind our forwards compared to what Toronto was rolling out.

 

[TheOctopusKid]

I don't know about this train of thought of "He was terrible in TOR and it's going to be even worse in DET because he doesn't have all that support he did!"...

Chemistry is still a thing in hockey and depending on who his partner is, he could be an entirely different guy here. Also, system and what is being asked of him, will probably be considerably different here in DET than TOR. And for whatever reason, I have a hard time accepting an objective opinion from the TOR faithful who typically have two camps when it comes to anyone whose played for them: They are Jesus. Or they deserve to be set on fire. And not a lot in between. Holl seems to fall in the "should be murdered for not being Salming", but who knows what he'll bring with us...

I hope for a Olli Maatta level revival where you watch him and go "Well damn, he's pretty good and keeps it simple. Knows his role"

Lots of factors and variables here at play but I remain optimistic until I have watched him

 

[Big Poppa Puck]

At first I thought it was a little rich, but I guess it's ok to pay a little more for meh that watching the revolving door of crap that was Hagg, Oesterle, Lindstrom, etc.

 

[Hoog]

I think Holl is going to turn out to be a better signing than most of us think. Going back and looking at some highlights, reading some more on him, and looking at the stats, it looks as if he is a pretty solid RHD guy. The issue is he has had some very bad lapses in some really inopportune times and it makes people think he is way worse than he really is as a player. I'm going to just sit back and watch for a while on how he fits our team before casting judgment. I'll be rooting for him though.

 

[Solarion]

I think Holl is going to turn out to be a better signing than most of us think. Going back and looking at some highlights, reading some more on him, and looking at the stats, it looks as if he is a pretty solid RHD guy. The issue is he has had some very bad lapses in some really inopportune times and it makes people think he is way worse than he really is as a player. I'm going to just sit back and watch for a while on how he fits our team before casting judgment. I'll be rooting for him though.

I agree. I think Holl was put in situations where he was over his head in Toronto and as long as he's utilized properly he'll be effective for Detroit. As to the guy(s) he's replacing...yeah he's absolutely an upgrade as a direct replacement for those guys. He's no world beater, but I believe it to be a good signing that will help to solidify the defense and improve the PK.

Gustav Lindstrom 22-23 SPAR -1.6 xSPAR -1.3
Jordan Oesterle 22-23 SPAR -1.0 xSPAR -1.1
Robert Hagg 22-23 SPAR 0.0 xSPAR 0.2

Justin Holl 22-23 SPAR 2.6 xSPAR 1.0

3yr weighted average PCard. All GAR/SPAR/xSPAR stats clipped from Evolving-Hockey.com

 

[Run the Jewels]

Ericsson got put into big spots because nobody else could do it. And then he got exposed against top lines and people dumped on him for years and years.

Yes, Detroit had no ability to develop a top 4 d-man during much of the Holland era (Kronwall in 2000 and nothing until Hronek in 2016) so Ericsson was regularly playing above his pay grade. He ended up being paid like a top 4 d-man, but that was only because he was being played like a top 4 d-man.

 

[Tatar Shots]

I think Holl is going to turn out to be a better signing than most of us think. Going back and looking at some highlights, reading some more on him, and looking at the stats, it looks as if he is a pretty solid RHD guy. The issue is he has had some very bad lapses in some really inopportune times and it makes people think he is way worse than he really is as a player. I'm going to just sit back and watch for a while on how he fits our team before casting judgment. I'll be rooting for him though.

He’s similar to Brendan Smith with having those absolute brain dead plays. Him catching and chucking the puck last year was peak Smith.