Peter Holland’s saga with the Toronto Maple Leafs is over, as the 25-year-old forward was dealt on Friday to the Arizona Coyotes for a conditional 2018 draft pick.
Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston reports that Toronto will get a conditional 2018 sixth round pick if the Coyotes re-sign or trade Holland, who is a restricted free agent at the end of this season. If the Toronto native does not receive a qualifying offer from Arizona, the Leafs will receive no compensation.
The former Anaheim Ducks first round pick was acquired by Toronto in November 2013 for defenseman Jesse Blacker and two draft picks, but saw his role with the Leafs decline significantly after the hiring of Mike Babcock.
Holland was a healthy scratch for most of the first half of last season and was shifted between center and wing by Babcock when he played more regularly later in the year. In 65 games, Holland scored a career-high 27 points.
Holland’s tenuous status with the Leafs began to show over the summer, when the club placed him on waivers and the center asked for $2.1 Million in salary arbitration. The two sides settled on a one-year deal for $1.3 Million in late July.
This season, Holland started as the fourth line center, but lost his job after registering one assist in six games. He played only two games since journeyman Ben Smith was claimed off of waivers from Colorado.
Agent Joe Resnick met with GM Lou Lamoriello prior to the Leafs Western Canada road swing and it was decided that Holland would remain in Toronto to await a trade or being placed on waivers.
"(Holland)should come in motivated and incentivized to play the best hockey of his career." Arizona GM John Chayka said following the trade. "(Coyotes coach Dave Tippett has) a long history of maximizing assets."
With the trade, the Leafs move Holland’s $1.3 Million salary off of their salary cap and the roster spot should allow the club to activate forward Josh Leivo from the non-roster/injury list to the active roster.
*******If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising your business in the Greater Toronto / Southern Ontario area on this column, please send a message for more information by clicking on the “Contact… button at the top of the page.*******
Note : Continue to check back to my column on Hockeybuzz throughout the day for the latest Leafs updates or Follow @mikeinbuffalo on Twitter
KINDLE USERS: Please sign up for Maple Leafs Buzz, which includes a free-of-charge 14-day trial and is just 99 cents per month afterwards. For more information click here.