The St. Louis Blues have found themselves in an intriguing situation, swapping one Justin for another on their blue line.
After moving veteran defenseman Justin Faulk at the NHL trade deadline, they acquired Justin Holl. Initially, it might have seemed like Holl was just a cap casualty, but there’s more to the story.
Holl has stepped in and played five games for the Blues, and he’s fitting in just fine. While he’s not destined for a top-pairing role, he brings the grit and veteran presence that a young defensive core can benefit from.
Standing at 6’4” and weighing 205 pounds, Holl is a formidable presence on the ice, known for playing tough minutes and not shying away from physical play. Currently logging about 15 minutes per game on the third pair, he’s already shown he can handle more, clocking a season-high 18:47 against the Vancouver Canucks.
What can the Blues realistically expect from Holl? Offense isn’t his forte, but he’s well-suited for a shutdown role, reminiscent of his days with the Toronto Maple Leafs. With 400 NHL games under his belt, his experience is invaluable, especially as younger players like Philip Broberg, Logan Mailloux, and Theo Lindstein develop their game.
Though Holl doesn’t bring the offensive punch that Faulk did, his right-handed shot and ability to eat up minutes quietly are assets. His time with the Red Wings may have sharpened his focus, despite some bumps along the way.
Critics have pointed to Holl’s occasional defensive lapses, particularly during his stint in Toronto, where turnovers sometimes led to goals against. The intense media scrutiny didn’t help his case there. After signing with Detroit, expectations were sky-high, but he didn’t quite meet them, and younger talent started to edge him out of the lineup.
Now with the Blues, Holl faces a similar scenario, but this time, the team seems ready to give him a fair chance. The Blues should consider re-signing Holl this offseason.
With his contract set to expire and the free-agent market looking thin, a deal with St. Louis could be mutually beneficial.
Holl, at 34, isn’t likely to see a long-term contract, but a sensible two-year deal worth around $4 to $5 million could be on the table. This would involve a pay cut from his current $3.4 million cap hit, but it’s a practical move for both parties.
The Blues need a replacement for Faulk next season, and Holl could be a solid stopgap while other defensemen rise through the ranks. Re-signing him would be a smart, low-risk decision for a team in the midst of a rebuild.