The Detroit Red Wings are gearing up for training camp later this month. On paper, most of the lineup spots seem set. Except for a couple of battles in the bottom-six forward group, the only other possible openings could be in the bottom pair on defense.
That’s where the Red Wings may face the same problem they did last season: What to do about Justin Holl?
Holl is entering the final year of his current contract. He’s got a $3.4 million cap hit and doesn’t seem to have any interest out there. The issue is not his cap hit or the lack of interest. The issue is that he’s not projected to make the lineup.
Daily Faceoff, for instance, does not project Holl in the top six. If that’s the case, then the Wings have a slight problem. Does the club pay $3.4 million this season for a seventh or eighth defenseman?
It’s a tough decision.
Last season, the club cut Holl during camp. He cleared waivers, unsurprisingly. That move could happen again this upcoming season. But it wouldn’t have much benefit beyond opening up a roster spot for a younger player.
Sending Holl to the AHL would only offset $775K of his cap hit. While the Red Wings can get away with his cap hit for one more season, it could get in the way of more additions at the trade deadline.
Since Detroit is looking to make it back to the playoffs, the club will need to maximize its cap space to add. That situation could become even more concerning if the club is in the thick of the playoff race.
Red Wings likely stuck with Holl for the remainder of season
Unless a team out there gets decimated by injuries, it’s unlikely a trade partner for Holl could emerge. A club desperately needing an NHL-experienced blueliner could send a draft pick the Red Wings’ way for Holl.
Nevertheless, that might be wishful thinking. The likeliest path is cutting ties with Holl like they did with Vladimir Tarasenko. The hope would be that some team out there could take on Holl’s cap hit.
Not many can afford to do that, unfortunately. The Wings are likely stuck with Holl for the remainder of the season. He could be an expensive insurance policy. Holl may end up playing a significant role, like he did last season.
And that’s not a good thing for the Red Wings.
Ultimately, the Wings have added enough depth to where Holl’s shortcomings could be papered over. Fans could see the 33-year-old get into the lineup sporadically, especially given the torturous schedule facing all NHL teams this upcoming season.