The Toronto Maple Leafs have a $2 million dollar, top-four worthy, right-handed defenseman in Justin Holl.
The Toronto Maple Leafs also have 3 x established star-level defenseman, 2 x young up-and-coming potential-stars who have earned their spots in the lineup, and Travis Dermott, who has great numbers and a history of being one of the better third-pairing defenders in the NHL.
There is nothing wrong with the Leafs blue line as constructed. They have three top-twenty defenseman, and seven players who are providing top-four talent and abilities. It’s a good problem to have.
But it is a problem because the Leafs salary cap philosophy – whatever you think of it – isn’t designed to eschew well-paid bit players.