The Detroit Red Wings face a difficult dilemma with defenseman Justin Holl. Entering the season, Holl is not projected to earn a place in the starting lineup, effectively relegating him to a depth role. At a $3.5 million cap hit, retaining him solely as injury insurance represents a costly inefficiency for a team striving to maximize roster and salary-cap flexibility.
The challenge, however, lies in market demand. Across the league, Holl does not profile as a high-value asset, limiting the natural avenues for a trade. Still, a potential solution exists: if Detroit is willing to attach an incentive — such as a mid-round draft pick, a prospect, or partial salary retention — another team might be persuaded to take on the contract.