Leafs lose young defenseman to Eastern Conference team on day two of 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.