Maatta Trade Expresses Red Wings' Faith in Johansson and Holl
With Olli Maatta out the door as insurance, Detroit makes clear its confidence in Albert Johansson and Justin Holl
Last night, in trading Olli Maatta to Utah, the Detroit Red Wings made clear their confidence in defensemen Albert Johansson and Justin Holl. Johansson and Holl have been semi-regular healthy scratches in the season's early going, but coach Derek Lalonde continued to praise both players. In moving on from Maatta, the Red Wings made clear their faith in Johansson and Holl was more than lip service, as both now have simpler paths to a regular role.
"Steady is a good word for it," Lalonde replied, when asked what Johansson has added to Detroit's blue line. "Hasn't really gotten us in any trouble in his games, and again, a tough ask [playing on] his off hand...so I think he does bring a calming presence to us and a lot of positives."
Johansson is listed at 168 pounds, which is quite slender by the standard of NHL defensemen, but Lalonde has been pleased with the way the 23-year-old has handled his size disparity. "I had a concern playing against size, but it hasn't been an issue," the coach said this morning. "He's got high compete. Obviously a smaller D, you defend the position, you defend through hands, and he's done that...He's had a couple of these match-ups down low, where you're a little concerned because you think he's in trouble...and he fights his way through it, so he's adjusting pretty well to the league."
Meanwhile, Lalonde also praised Holl for the way he's handled the mental strain of being in and out of the lineup, as well as his defensive presence when he is on the ice.
"Certainly a credit to him, his professionalism," Lalonde said, when asked about Holl's turbulent start to the year off the ice and reliable presence on it. "We were completely healthy last year [on defense], and we had [Shayne Gostisbehere] on his off-hand, running the power play at a pretty close to all-star caliber. I can say I trusted him all year, but it's hard to say that when he's the guy out a lot. I felt the same this year, and now it's kinda come to fruition, so I just think it helps our lefty-righty. Obviously, he defends well. I'd use the word sticky for him. He gives us some size, good box outs, he stays in defensive battles, so a lot of positives."
In the featured video above, I discuss the implications of the Maatta trade, and the sense of faith in Holl and Johansson it conveys.
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