Playing in Toronto Helped Former Maple Leafs Defenseman Justin Holl Develop 'Thick Skin'
Signed to a three-year, $10.2 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings, Holl developed an ability to tune out noise.
Justin Holl will always have an appreciation for the Toronto Maple Leafs, even if it can get a little noisy in a passionate hockey market.
"You're definitely under the microscope in Toronto. When you talk to guys around the league that's the hardest place to play and all that stuff," Holl told reporters in a Zoom conference over the weekend."
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Holl signed a three-year, $10.2 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings after spending the last eight years in the Toronto organization and the last four as a full-time NHLer with the Leafs.
It wasn't without its ups and downs. Most recently, Holl was benched for some games in the 2023 playoffs after he was on the ice for far more goals allowed than scored. Regardless of how it all went down, it was likely that the 31-year-old was going to get a raise from his $2 million average annual value from his previous contract and he certainly got it in Detroit.
"I loved my time in Toronto. I thought it was terrific," he said. I'm sure there will be differences that will be noticeable but I do think it prepares you in ways to have thick skin and stuff like that. Really, you can't worry about the noise regardless."
Had it not been for the Maple Leafs taking a chance on the 6-foot-3 defenseman back in 2015, Holl may not have ever made it to the NHL.
Drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the second round 54th overall in the 2020 NHL Draft, Holl struggled to gain traction and the Blackhawks walked away from the player. Kyle Dubas signed Holl to an AHL contract when he was GM of the Marlies and it was later turned into an NHL deal with the Maple Leafs in 2016.
So no matter difficult it may have got at times during his tenure with the Leafs. There will always be a recognition for the time the club invested in the defenseman.
"Toronto is an unbelievable place to play. It may be a tougher market in some ways," Holl said. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Not to be cliche, but it's probably true."
Holl joins a team that added Ben Chiarot and Shayne Gostisbehere. He may play on the team's top-four defense group and might be effective. But with three years committed, it'll be interesting to see how he is able to evolve his game as he gets older.
"I think I always have something to prove," Holl said. "You need to be at your best at all times in order to be valuable. I don't know if I have something to prove but I'm always looking to be the player I can be."
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