Maple Leafs’ Quick Hits: Holl, Murray & Anderson

In this edition of Toronto Maple Leafs’ Quick Hits, I’ll take a look at a possible rumor that Justin Holl will be traded – this time to the Edmonton Oilers for Jesse Puljujarvi. Second, I’ll look at Matt Murray and ask the rude question – what if he turns out to be a dud as a goalie? Finally, I’ll take a look at Joey Anderson’s chance to get a roster spot on the Maple Leafs this season.

Related: Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Suzuki, Gaudette & Anderson

Quick Hit One: Would a Change of Scenery for Justin Holl Help His Game?

The rumor has been going around that Justin Holl might join several former Maple Leafs in Edmonton with the Oilers. Although there have been few trades between the teams, it seems the Oilers have a liking for former Maple Leafs’ players. The list of those who have moved from Toronto to Edmonton is growing longer.

Over the past two seasons, Tyson Barrie, Cody Ceci, and Zach Hyman joined the Oilers. This season, it will be Jack Campbell. Interestingly enough, some of the players who struggled with the Maple Leafs have thrived with the Oilers.

That’s particularly true about Ceci. He was panned as one of the worst defensemen in Maple Leafs’ history and has turned into a solid first-pairing defenseman with Darnell Nurse with the Oilers. Go figure.

Last season, Holl had a downturn in his play. Once part of a shutdown second-pairing with Jake Muzzin, would a change in scenery and a lesser role (the third-pairing) help turn his game around? He’s already familiar with a number of the players on the Oilers.

Not that Holl will be traded, but his name is certainly being thrown around. Would it be good for his career to move on?

Related: What If the Maple Leafs Can’t Get Under the NHL’s Salary Cap?

Quick Hit Two: What If Matt Murray Isn’t Good?

When the Maple Leafs let Jack Campbell leave and chose to trade for Matt Murray instead, there was uproar from many Maple Leafs’ fans. There is some logic for the move, as I see it. While the Maple Leafs have been criticized for overpaying players, they didn’t do that with Campbell. Instead, they allowed him to walk. A five-year contract seemed a bit much for the 30-year-old goalie without much experience. The Oilers thought differently.

The rude question is “What if Murray isn’t good?” Then what?

The first move would be to turn the net over to Ilya Samsonov and hope for the best. It has to be better than last season when Petr Mrazek (with a duo of raw young goalies) manned the net. The team’s strength on offense mediated a lot of mistakes in goal.

Last November, the Ottawa Senators placed Murray on waivers and he cleared. That would likely happen again; or, even better, Murray might be plucked off the waiver wire. Either way, the team would move him. They would not be much worse with Samsonov in goal and backed up by Erik Kallgren or Joseph Woll.

The bottom is that, if Murray is bad, the team does have insurance options in Samsonov, Kallgren, or Woll. But if Murray turns out to be a good goalie, the team might have reshaped its entire season with this move. Then the salary doesn’t look bad at all. That’s by far the best scenario – and a good bet.

Quick Hit: Will Joey Anderson Get a Good Look for the Fourth Line?

For the first time since his move from the New Jersey Devils, Joey Anderson has a chance to play serious minutes with the Maple Leafs. It is possible that it could be a strong season for the young, physical, and motivated youngster. His time in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies suggested that he can be a strong secondary scorer. He did have a 42-point season (with 26 goals and 16 assists) in 2021-22.

Two things work in Anderson’s favor. First, Jason Spezza has retired. Second, the fourth line looks to be the Maple Leafs’ project this season. It would seem the team’s philosophy has changed. It could be a young and energetic group, without several aging veterans.

Anderson seems to meet a need that might have left with Ilya Mikheyev, and that’s on the penalty kill. Last season, Anderson scored five shorthanded goals with the Marlies. He could fit very well on a revamped Maple Leafs’ fourth line. It would be a high-energy, aggressively forechecking fourth line. Anderson would be its right winger.

In the best scenario, Anderson has some of the same traits as Zach Hyman. Could he be a puck-digger higher in the lineup?

Related: FANS WERE WRONG LAST SEASON ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS’ 3RD LINE