Paper transactions are common in the NHL, and they involve players getting sent to the AHL for a short time before receiving a recall roughly 24-48 hours later. This appears to be the case with Red Wings defenseman Justin Holl after the Wings recalled him earlier on Wednesday, especially after he’s played some solid hockey lately.
But we all know Holl’s short history with Detroit has been a rocky one, hence the headline of this article. While he hasn’t shown any physical prowess in his two games with the Red Wings to go with two giveaways, Holl has an assist, a plus-1, five blocks, and 18:38 of average total ice time.
He’s been on the ice for just one goal this season at even-strength and is currently boasting a 93.3 on-ice save percentage, so Holl’s been more than holding the fort down in Detroit, or at least doing his part. This is why I found it rather puzzling that he’d be sent to Grand Rapids, but again, this one boasts the signs of a paper transaction, and it should.
Justin Holl gets another chance with the Red Wings after paper transaction
In yesterday’s piece, I placed a lot of blame on the Red Wings inability to stop opponents from finding ways to log shots on goal, and Holl has been one of the few players on the blue line to at least slow down opposing forwards. Although he’s played in one fewer game than most of his peers, Holl is tied with Joe Veleno for third in blocked shots, and it’s an effort he must keep up should he see his role finally expand.
Think what you will about Holl and whether what could be constant paper transactions are just signs that he’s the eventual odd man out in Detroit’s defensive rotation. But if this team wants to find a way to make the postseason, they must make life difficult, constantly, for opponents, and Holl has been holding up that end of the deal lately.
We’ll see what unfolds in the coming weeks, but if Holl’s on the ice more often than he’s in the press box or temporarily with the Grand Rapids Griffins, it’s looking like he will finally take advantage of and carve out a nice role in Detroit if he keeps playing the way he’s been. This is, of course, assuming the Red Wings give him the proper chance to take advantage.