Former Leaf attempting NHL comeback after 5-year absence
Drafted 15th overall in 2009 by the Anaheim Ducks, Peter Holland made his NHL debut during the 2011-2012 season for Anaheim before playing for the Leafs from 2013-2017 until he was traded to Arizona. He finished out his NHL career with the New York Rangers in the 2017-2018 season before spending the next season in the AHL. Following a season in the AHL, split between Hartford and Rockford, Holland was unable to secure an NHL contract and went over to Europe. He spent the next two seasons in the KHL with Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg before playing the 2021-22 season in the Swedish Hockey League with Djurgardens IF.
Holland did not play this past season and had announced his retirement in March of last year. His retirement appears to be over, however, as the 32-year-old is currently training in Toronto with another former Leaf in Gary Roberts, hoping to make an NHL comeback.
Holland was never really able to find his footing in the NHL the first time around, only scoring 85 points in 266 career games, but could be a reliable checking center at a bargain price for a team needing to fill out some depth spots.
With a weaker than normal free agent crop, Holland will likely still have to wait until closer to training camp before he sees any offers or PTO's, but his timing to come out of retirement could not have been better to give himself an opportunity to play in the NHL again. Whether or not it leads to an opportunity remains a mystery.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 22 | 521 ANSWERS Former Leaf attempting NHL comeback after 5-year absence Will former Leaf Peter Holland find an NHL job this summer? | ||
| Yes | 202 | 38.8 % |
| No | 319 | 61.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
