The Time For Maple Leafs To Trade D-Man Holl Is Now

Under the stewardship of GM Kyle Dubas, the Toronto Maple Leafs have shown a penchant to let pending unrestricted free agents play out their contracts and leave for nothing (other than salary cap space) on the UFA market.

On the one hand, you have to give Dubas, Leafs president Brendan Shanahan, and Toronto’s player development team for continuing to churn out high-impact players who can step up and provide cheaper cap solutions. However, after a few years, the names of players the Leafs could’ve dealt and got assets for begins to be notable. Talented winger Zach Hyman and offensively-potent blueliner Tyson Barrie went to Edmonton. Skilled forward Ilya Mikheyev left for Vancouver. And this year, the Buds have two veterans who are extremely likely to leave for greener pastures this summer: forward Alex Kerfoot and defenseman Justin Holl are players the cap-strapped Leafs won’t be able to afford next season.

Kerfoot has had a disappointing season on offense (six goals and 19 points in 41 games), and it’s unlikely teams will be interested in taking on his $3.5-million cap hit. But Holl is a different story. After struggling early in the season, Holl has elevated his game and currently sits second only to cornerstone D-man Morgan Rielly in ice time, with an average of 21:12 per game. Holl is going to get a contract offer better than the $2 million he’s making in Toronto this year, and he’s going to take it.

This is why there’s never been a better time for Dubas to trade Holl. The Leafs have solid depth on ‘D’, and head coach Sheldon Keefe has shown he can make the back end work well despite injury absences. Depth players such as Jordie Benn, Connor Timmins, and Mac Hollowell all have had success with the Leafs this season. It’s true Toronto is still dealing with injuries – veteran T.J. Brodie and Victor Mete are currently sidelined with health issues – but moving Holl would (a) help replenish the Leafs’ prospect and draft pick areas, and (b) would free up valuable cap space to pursue more help for the forward unit.

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The alternative – allowing Holl to remain a Leaf, and taking their chances with him the rest of the season – is a luxury Toronto cannot afford. Yes, the Leafs are built to win now, but all GMs have to keep an eye on the future, and if they can acquire a high pick or an above-average prospect who’ll compete for an NHL spot down the road in exchange for Holl, they ought to go that route. Defensemen are highly-sought, and while Holl wouldn’t be the best available D-man on the trade block, he would have great value to teams who lose out on the Jakob Chychrun sweepstakes.

It’s not as if the 30-year-old Holl generates a ton of offense that would be missed by the Leafs if he’s dealt; he’s got only two goals and seven points in 41 games. But he’s held up better than many (this writer included) expected, and that’s both a good and bad thing for Toronto. His value has increased, but he’s pricing himself out of the market for the Leafs. Dubas and Leafs brass have to know his time in Blue and White is quickly running out. Why allow him to leave for nothing? If you have confidence in youngsters Rasmus Sandin, Timothy Liljegren, and a nifty new asset in Timmins, Holl clearly is the odd man out.

Holl has been a regular target for criticism, but to his credit, he’s answered back by playing some of the best hockey of his NHL career. This is why the time to move him is now. If Dubas wants to sell high on Holl, he’s not going to get much higher for him than he is at the moment. For now, and for the future, for the team and the individual, it makes all kinds of sense to move him somewhere he’ll have more money and opportunity, and restock the prospect group in return.

If Holl leaves as a UFA this summer, Dubas should be criticized for not getting something for him. It’s great that Toronto has a steady pipeline of young talent, but at some point, you need to get assets for players you’ve developed that no longer fit into your cap structure. Holl is a good guy in the dressing room, and he’s probably at his peak as a player. All the more reason to convert him into assets that will help down the line.