It seems as though Lou Lamoriello has scratched another name off his offseason to-do list. According to reports from Elliotte Friedman, the Leafs and Peter Holland have agreed to a one-year deal worth $1.3 million.
https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/757590466082766848
The Leafs originally offered Holland $900,000 according to Friedman, which wasn’t a deal the player was interested in signing. Instead, he was asking for a deal worth $2.1 million.
[RELATED: Peter Holland Makes Request to Leafs Before Arbitration]
The 25-year-old Holland played a career high 65 games for the Leafs last season recording nine goals to go along with career highs in assists (18) and points (27). Injuries hindered his development in 2015-16, but he’ll look to earn a spot on a more talented Leafs roster next season.
Originally a 15th overall pick in 2009 by the Anaheim Ducks, the Leafs acquired the centre during the 2013-14 season along with Brad Staubitz for Jesse Blacker and two picks in the 2014 NHL Draft.
In 195 career games with the Ducks and Leafs, he’s notched 30 goals and 69 points. If he’s hoping to impress and stick with the big club, his career 45.6 face-off percentage will have to creep up. The Leafs currently have Nazem Kadri, Tyler Bozak, Auston Matthews (likely) and Brooks Laich projected as their four men down the middle.
The deal will leave the Leafs with just over $1.3 million of cap space, but allow them to avoid arbitration with Holland.