Leafs lose young defenseman to Eastern Conference team on day two of free agency
Yesterday was a busy day for departures in Toronto, with the Leafs having lost Michael Bunting, Ryan O'Reilly, Noel Acciari and Luke Schenn, among others. It would appear as though the mass exodus is still not over as one young defenseman has now also departed in free agency.
Per an official release from the New York Rangers, 24-year-old Mac Hollowell has signed a 1-year deal with the team.
Hollowell was originally drafted by the Leafs in the 4th round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft (118th overall). The former Soo Greyhound had played a few seasons in the AHL and ECHL before officially getting a call-up from the Leafs this past November due to a shortage of healthy defensemen for the Leafs early on last year.
In 6 career NHL games, all with the Leafs of course, Hollowell managed to tally a pair of assists, 2 penalty minutes and was a +3 over that stretch. Ultimately, the Leafs' blueline, once healthy, the Buds didn't have much use for Hollowell, arguably their 10th defenseman on the depth chart. As a result, he was sent back down to the Marlies.
Hollowell was scheduled to become a restricted free agent this summer, and while some thought the Leafs might tender him a qualifying offer, he ended up being left unqualified, becoming a UFA yesterday. The 5-foot-9 defenseman isn't going to out-muscle anyone, but he does have some decent offensive instincts and isn't afraid to block shots.
| POLL | ||
2 JUILLET | 44 ANSWERS Leafs lose young defenseman to Eastern Conference team on day two of free agency Will Mac Hollowell play any games for the Rangers in the NHL next season? | ||
| Yes | 17 | 38.6 % |
| No | 27 | 61.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
