Here's how the Leafs' defenders stacked up in the playoffs; Justin Holl was their best rush defender by far
There were 89 playoff games played this past post season and although he only played 5 of those games, Justin Holl was in fact an elite rush defenseman in those games. Dimitri Filipovic tracked all 89 games and 5-on-5 zone entry defense.
In his 5 games, Holl was far and away the Leafs' top zone entry defender and Morgan Reilly was by far the Leafs' worst. Timothy Liljegren, Jake Muzzin, TJ Brodie and Ilya Lyubushkin were all in the same quadrant as Holl as being "elite" in defending zone entries and forcing dump-ins and Mark Giordano was also good.
For perspective, Holl forced a dump-in 40% of the time and broke up 22% of entries while Reilly only broke up 8% of entries and allowed Tampa to carry the puck into the zone 72% of the time.
While Holl may not be everyone or anyone's favourite Leaf, it is these underlying numbers that have made Dubas and Keefe want to keep him around and likely why he hasn't been traded yet this off-season as many "insiders" suggested he would be. Dubas has said he is still looking for a physical right-shot defenseman, and if he finds one that could spell the end of Holl's time in Toronto, but for now it looks like he will remain a fixture on the blueline.
If Holl can regain his form from 2 years ago, he should have a much better season for the Leafs, but he should also be slotted on the third pairing now as Liljegren has shown he is ready for heavier minutes.
