Red Wings Move On From Veteran Defenseman

The Detroit Red Wings made a surprising move and waived a veteran defenseman prior to submitting their final roster.

Oct 1, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Detroit Red Wings defenseman Justin Holl (3) skates with the puck as Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Ville Koivunen (41) chases during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images / Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Detroit Red Wings open the 2024-2025 season with a contest against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Red Wings hope this is the season that ends their current eight-year playoff drought. Playing in the NHL's Atlantic Division, it will take a momentous effort to catapult the organization back into the postseason picture.

When the Red Wings do open their season, they won't have veteran defenseman Justin Holl suiting up. The team placed the right-handed defender on waivers in advance of final regular season rosters being due. NHL insider Elliotte Friedman shared the whole list of players placed on the wire via his X account, which included the 32-year-old puck mover.

Full list:
Brown, Bussi, Patera, Sweezey, Viel (BOS)
Clague, Reimer, Rousek (BUF)
Cooley, Pelletier, Schwindt (CAL)
Josian Slavin, Smith, Suzuki (CAR)
Phillips (CHI)
Dries, Holl, Lagesson, Rafferty, Snively (DET)
Brown, Caggiula, Laoie, Rodrigue (EDM)
Copley, Fagemo, Studnicka…

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) October 6, 2024

Holl enters his second season with the Red Wings organization after signing there as a free agent during the summer of 2023. Last season, he played in just 38 games wit the Wings and failed to record a goal. He finished the year with five points and 22 penalty minutes.

Before joining the Red Wings, he was a fixture with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He played at least 60 games or more for four straight years with the Leafs. His best season came in 2021-2022, when he scored three goals and added 20 assists. Over his entire career, he's played 323 NHL games and accumulated. 87 total points.

Make sure you bookmark Breakaway OnSI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage, and more! 

• Islanders Make Surprise Move on Waivers
• Canucks, Avalanche Swap Defensemen in Trade
• Bruins Still Opening Season With Joonas Korpisalo
• Penguins HC Mike Sullivan Named Next to be Fired
• Canadiens Could Send Rugged Defender to AHL