Sheldon Keefe reveals true thoughts on Justin Holl

The Justin Holl era with the Toronto Maple Leafs officially came to an end this summer, as the unrestricted free agent defenseman decided to take his talents a short distance over the border and sign with the division and Original 6 rival Detroit Red Wings. 

He was offered a three year contract with an AAV of $3.4 million by Detroit GM Steve Yzerman, which he quickly accepted. It brought an end a period of time with the Leafs that, while positive at times, was also mired with more than a few examples of being caught out of position and also posting not the best plus-minus statistics. 

Last night, he made his first return to Toronto as a member of the opposition, albeit in unofficial preseason action. And it was Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe who admitted that it was "tough" to see Holl, who he coached with both the Maple Leafs and AHL's Toronto Marlies, in another NHL uniform.

"Yeah, tough," Keefe said of Holl having joined the opposition. "I've seen him in Blue and White for a lot of years now between the Marlies and here [with the Leafs]. Justin was a really good player for us and for me, specifically.. The Marlies win a championship with him and he gave us a lot of good years and minutes here and I'm happy to see him get paid."

Holl, who was actually drafted originally by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010 but found his way to the Leafs after declining to sign an entry-level deal with them, played in 285 career NHL games with the Leafs, scoring a total of 11 goals and 71 assists. He also added three assists in 25 postseason games. 

Holl will make his official return to Toronto in the regular season when the Red Wings pay a visit to Scotiabank Arena on Sunday, January 14.

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