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Holland is one of those guys that sits right on the borderline of the NHL and AHL. He's played at close to a point-per-game level in the minor leagues, but the 27-year-old center has never scored more than 27 points in a season at the highest level and has a career rating of minus-38. While Holland will certainly be in the mix for a bottom-six role on Broadway, there's no shortage of prospects vying for those spots as well, and the Rangers would rather play the youngsters if it's close.
Holland has just one year to prove himself in Toronto. He inked a one-year deal with the team in July after going untraded at the 2016 NHL Entry Draft (he probably could have been had for a low-round pick, a bag of pucks and two chunks of stick wax). Holland did deliver career marks in assists (18) and points (27) in 2015-16, but the natural center is going to need to shift to the wing for 2016-17. But even then, the left side is weighted with James van Riemsdyk, Joffrey Lupul (if he's healthy), Matt Martin and Colin Greening. He's destined for a bottom-six role in Toronto if he can find his way into coach Mike Babcock's good books. Right now, we'd say that's a 50-50 proposition at best, so leave him on the table come draft day.
Holland has talent, but he's been slow to show it in the NHL. His tools are really good, but so far, he hasn't found a toolbox for them. That isn't good -- he needs to even out the peaks and valleys in his play, and show fans that he can be a No. 2 power center instead of a passive No. 3. The Leafs inked him to a two-year deal in the summer, ostensibly to let him prove himself. They'll give him every opportunity to break camp as their third center. However, Holland won't be given much rope if he plays Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde from game to game, so be cautious with any draft day investment.
Holland isn't as sexy as some other teams' young players, but the potential is there for him to be a solid, yet unspectacular producer for the Ducks. He picked up three goals and two assists in the 21 games he played with them during 2012-2013 season. His ice time is gradually increasing and with that comes more responsibility. Still, his development curve will be relatively slow, so don't invest now. Wait until he grabs an even bigger role with the Ducks in the future.
Holland is the boy next door -- nice, but a tad boring. As a teenager, he was often described as having all the tools, but no tool box (we love that analogy). And much to our surprise, he's worked his tail off in the AHL and built himself a nice little toolbox. Go figure -- it can actually be done. The Ducks see him as a scorer and they have given him opportunities to do just that. He'll get a couple cups of coffee with the Ducks this year, but he probably won't be in Anaheim full-time until 2013-14. Some day, he could be a 60-point, shoot-first guy. When he arrives, he'll earn his keep as a third-line, two-way center.
This guy is a bit of an enigma -- you never quite know if he's going to show up. He has natural size and offensive gifts, but scouts have questioned his competitiveness. Keep in mind that a lot of big guys are often called floaters and Holland could just be opportunistic, waiting for his seam. We think he tops out as a second-line center who'll some day reach 60 points.