In a significant move, the Detroit Red Wings have announced the recall of defenseman Justin Holl and center Sheldon Dries from their AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins. This update comes as they prepare for their upcoming game against the Capitals, with the announcement made via their official social media accounts. Notably, defenseman Simon Edvinsson has been placed on injured reserve, effective retroactively from January 21, which opened up a roster spot for this call-up.
Justin Holl, a seasoned player, has been waiting for this moment since he was placed on waivers back in October. His first recall of the season finally arrives as we are past the midpoint of the NHL schedule. As Holl celebrates his 34th birthday tomorrow, he finds himself in the final year of a three-year contract worth $10.2 million, which he secured during the 2023 free agency period. Unfortunately, this deal has been viewed as having negative value nearly from the outset. During the initial year of his contract, he mostly served as the Wings' extra defender and later cleared waivers to start the 2024-25 season, although he remained on the NHL roster for most of last season.
This season, however, Holl has spent considerable time playing in the AHL, marking his first experience in the minors since the 2017-18 season. Standing tall at 6 feet 4 inches and weighing 205 pounds, he has utilized his vast experience from nearly 400 NHL games to establish himself as one of the league's top shutdown defenders. In 31 games with Grand Rapids, he has notched 10 points and an impressive +17 rating, contributing significantly to the team’s remarkable success, as they boast a record of 32 wins, 5 losses, and 3 overtime losses through 40 games.
According to Helene St. James from the Detroit Free Press, a flu virus is circulating among the team before their match against the Capitals. The Red Wings are already carrying an additional defenseman, Erik Gustafsson, and with Edvinsson sidelined, it is likely that Gustafsson will step in if any other defenseman needs to be rested. Should two players exit the lineup due to illness, it would open the door for Holl to make his first NHL appearance in over nine months.
Holl's performance in the limited NHL opportunities he receives in the coming weeks will be critical for his future prospects, especially as he approaches free agency this summer. Previously, he was known for logging over 20 minutes per game with the Toronto Maple Leafs and had solid underlying numbers before his transition to the Red Wings. While it’s unlikely he will exceed a No. 6 or 7 defenseman role next season, making a strong impression in these limited outings could persuade a team to consider him as a dependable depth option.
In addition to Holl, if there are health issues among the forwards, Dries will also join the roster. The 31-year-old Michigan native brings valuable experience with over 100 games in the NHL, although he hasn't played in the league since a career-high 63 games with the Vancouver Canucks during the 2022-23 season. Now in his second year with the Wings organization and playing with Grand Rapids, Dries has been performing well, scoring 14 goals and accumulating 28 points in 32 appearances.
As for Edvinsson, his placement on injured reserve is largely a formality, as he has already been ruled out until after the Olympic break due to a lower-body injury. There remains uncertainty about his readiness to return when the games resume in late February.
