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2020 NHL Season: Grading the Toronto Maple Leafs’ right defense at season pause

By Simon Vacca

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 21: Tyson Barrie #94 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on November 21, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Maple Leafs defeated the Coyotes 3-1. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 21: Tyson Barrie #94 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on November 21, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Maple Leafs defeated the Coyotes 3-1. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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MONTREAL, QC – FEBRUARY 08: Justin Holl #3 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period at the Bell Centre on February 8, 2020 in Montreal, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1 in overtime. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – FEBRUARY 08: Justin Holl #3 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period at the Bell Centre on February 8, 2020 in Montreal, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1 in overtime. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

Justin Holl

Games Played: 68
Goals: 2
Assists: 16
Points: 18

At the beginning of the 2019-20 campaign, the thought of Justin Holl serving as a staple of the Maple Leafs’ blue line seemed to hang outside of the realm of possibility. The 28-year-old had dressed for a mere 13 games across the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons, during which he tallied a mere two goals and one assist.

And then — seemingly out of the blue — something changed.

With a defensive need continuing to run rampant on the club’s right side, Holl stepped up to the plate, delivering relatively strong play across the first half of the current season. He was awarded for his ability to offer consistent two-way poise with a three-year contract extension that shall see him paid $2 million per season into 2022-23.

Shortcomings in Holl’s game started to become apparent soon after the player signed his new deal. Since the beginning of 2020, Holl played in 29 matchups, tallying one goal and six assists. With frequent defensive partner Jake Muzzin falling victim to the injury bug, Holl was often caught struggling in his own end, making mistakes that he had previously avoided.

At the end of the day, Holl’s minimal cap hit coupled with his ability to play well against tough opponents makes his contract a signing worth having. Further consistency across an entire 82-game campaign would explicitly highlight No. 3’s value to the club.

Grade: B

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