The Detroit Red Wings signed defenseman Justin Holl to a three-year contract, but it hasn’t worked out as hoped after just one season. Now, there’s a proposal for Detroit to offload his contract in exchange for a forward. According to PuckPedia’s PuckGM tool, which allows users to design their own trades, one user suggested a trade that would bring Alex Kerfoot from the Utah Hockey Club to the Red Wings.
Red Wings acquire:
Alex Kerfoot
Utah acquires:
Justin Holl
2025 second-round pick
2025 third-round pick
The proposed trade would involve the Red Wings acquiring Alex Kerfoot in exchange for Justin Holl, with Detroit also having to include two draft picks to offset Holl’s contract. Kerfoot, who is entering the final year of his two-year, $7 million contract with Utah, would likely serve as a bottom-six forward and contribute to penalty killing. Last season with Arizona, he played 82 games, scoring 13 goals and adding 32 assists for 45 points.
In return, Utah would receive two high draft picks along with Holl. Holl, who has two years remaining on his three-year, $10.2 million deal, had a challenging season with Detroit, recording no goals and just 5 assists in 38 games. He previously played for the Toronto Maple Leafs for six seasons before joining the Red Wings.
Holl Considered a Buyout Candidate for Red Wings
When Detroit signed Holl on July 1, 2023, he was anticipated to be a pivotal presence on their defense. However, Holl faced difficulties during his initial season with the team.
After the season ended, Holl was a candidate for a buyout, but Detroit chose not to proceed with it. NHL analyst Max Bultman of The Athletic suggests that the Red Wings might consider buying out Holl in the summer of 2025.
Bultman commented, “Your observation about the cap hit while he sits in the press box is valid. However, the Red Wings might not experience the same injury luck this season as they did in 2023-24. If that’s the case, Holl might see more ice time this season. But if he remains a $3.4 million healthy scratch for most of the year, they could very well look into a buyout next year, which would result in just two years of dead cap at the same $1.13 million cost.”
With the addition of Erik Gustafsson, Holl is not expected to have a consistent role with the Red Wings this season.
Red Wings GM Expects Team to Compete For Playoff Spot
Detroit narrowly missed the playoffs last season, and Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman is optimistic about their chances this year.
“I believe we’re in the mix of teams that could compete for a playoff spot,” Yzerman said. “If we stay healthy, have solid goaltending, and if players exceed expectations, we might make it. Or we could end up just missing by a point on the last game of the season.
“That’s the nature of it. When I compare this year’s roster to last year’s, it looks a bit different. It could be a better fit in terms of player roles and roster alignment,” Yzerman added.
The Red Wings have not reached the playoffs since the 2015-16 season.
