Former Leaf reportedly on the trade block not even one full year into his new contract

Hockey reporter and writer Emily Kaplan with Walt Disney Company's NHL coverage team has reported that Detroit Red Wings defenseman Justin Holl is being shopped on the trade market. Holl signed a 3-year contract with Detroit in the off-season at a $3.4M cap hit. Unfortunately, he may not finish his first season with the Red Wings.

Holl has struggled this season in Detroit and it is no surprise that the Red Wings are hoping to move the veteran blueliner. Outside of his penalty killing abilities, he doesn't bring much else to the table at the NHL level and it was not a surprise this past summer when the Leafs didn't bother re-signing him.

Holl hasn't played since January 31st and has only played in 35 of Detroit's 59 games this season. With the Red Wings battling to stay in the playoff race as they currently hold the first Wild Card position in the East, it would be the best case scenario to move Holl and dump him to a bottom feeder team while looking to replace him by adding a strong defenseman to round out their blueline.

Leaf fans can let out a sigh of relief that Holl is no longer their problem anymore and despite all the injuries on Toronto's blueline this season, the defensive core has been much better without him.