Toronto Maple Leafs

How Did Maple Leafs Justin Holl Get This Good in a Month?

A month ago, Toronto Maple Leafs’ fans blood Justin Holl for on-ice errors. In the last four games, he’s leading the team. What happened?

by
Old Prof
December 2, 2022

There are three thoughts about Justin Holl. First, there are large numbers of Maple Leafs’ fans who wonder why he’s still on the team. They believe Holl is a horrible hockey player, makes huge gaffs on the ice, and contributes little to any success the Maple Leaf might have. They question why he is still on the team.

Second, there’s a grudging sense that Holl is – although a bottom-pairing defenseman – a good value for his contract hit of $2 million. In addition, he’s a right-shot defenseman. That’s something the Maple Leafs don’t have much of.

What’s Happened to Justin Holl?

However, there’s a third small but perhaps growing group of fans who have come to appreciate Holl and (if not his abilities and skills) his performance. A look at the tweet below suggests just how successful Holl has been in recent games. Since Morgan Rielly’s been injured, Holl has played in the team’s first pairing.

The point is that Holl has been playing exceptionally good hockey. And, it’s about time he’s given credit for what he can do and has done.

Holl’s Ice Time Over the Last Four Games

Justin Holl's ice time in the last four games:

24:08
23:07
25:03
23:46

He hasn't been on for a 5v5 goal against during this time. He's stepped up in a big way and doesn't always get enough credit
— Kevin Papetti (@KPapetti) November 26, 2022

Just a Month Ago Fans Were Booing Holl

In a game just a month ago, fans booed Holl when he made a couple of errors in a game. Mitch Marner and Maple Leafs’ head coach Sheldon Keefe came to Holl’s defense in the media. Although it’s never good for a hockey player or a coach to diss the team’s fans, both Marner and Keefe implied that fans who booed had little idea of what was going on during games.

No one covered Holl’s errors, but his teammate and his coach talked about the general high quality of Holl’s play and his strength of character. Marner noted that Holl stayed mentally strong even when he was getting booed by fans.

Marner and Keefe Don’t Believe Holl Gets Enough Credit

During the interview, Marner and Keefe believed Holl doesn’t get enough credit for what he does for the team. Marner noted that Holl has “all the respect and love in this locker room, and that’s what matters.”

When Marner listed Holl’s strength as a defenseman, he was specific. First Marner noted that Holl is not afraid to block any guy’s shot. He’s got a great stick and he plays physically strong hockey.

But perhaps more telling was that Marner believed Holl was a player who stays mentally strong. That’s because he knows he has “all the respect and love in the world in this locker room and from the guys beside him.” According to Marner, that makes Holl “even keel and just going out to play” regardless of who’s being hard on him (his coach, his teammates, or himself).

Holl Has Found His Way Through the Tough Times

Keefe praised Holl for his hard work even for getting to the NHL. He noted that Holl had taken the “long road to get to the NHL.” He added that Holl has “enough intelligence and perspective to be able to just get rid of that sort of thing.”

Keefe shared that, over his career, Holl’s had many doubters, but he continues to play with confidence. As Keefe suggested, Holl has “found his way through it.”

A Month Ago a Bum, Now a Team Leader

Keefe was right. Holl’s been a resilient player. Just a month ago, he was being booed by fans. Over the past four games – all Maple Leafs’ wins – Holl has helped lead his team as the top-pairing defensive partner with the ageless Mark Giordano.

I guess that’s why, in deference to those fans who wonder why Holl remains on the team, these last four games are ample reason to suggest Holl brings value to the lineup.