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Maple Leafs trade Holland to Coyotes for conditional pick

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 18: Peter Holland #24 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates in the warm-up prior to play against the New York Rangers in an NHL game at the Air Canada Centre on February 18, 2016 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Rangers defeated the Maple Leafs 4-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
Peter Holland skates in the warm-ups prior to play against the New York Rangers in an NHL game at the Air Canada Centre on February 18, 2016, in Toronto. (Getty Images)

Peter Holland wanted out of Toronto and on Friday he finally got his wish. The Maple Leafs have traded the center to the Arizona Coyotes. In exchange the ‘Yotes give up a 2018 conditional draft pick.

The relationship between the Toronto Maple Leafs and center Peter Holland had become seriously strained over the past two weeks.

From James Mirtle of The Athletic:

Holland, 25, was a healthy scratch in 17 of the Leafs first 25 games this season and played sparingly when in the lineup (less than 11 minutes a game). It was clear last season he was not a favourite of coach Mike Babcock, and it’s believed Holland requested a trade at some point in mid-November.

Part of what made a deal difficult is that Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello did not want a player in return, and Holland is making $1.3-million this season.

What Lou wants, Lou gets; hence the draft pick. Craig Morgan of AZ Sports is reporting it could be a conditional sixth rounder.

Holland’s time with the Leafs reached its tipping point when he did not join the team on their three game western road trip a few weeks ago. According to Mike Babcock, it was Holland’s decision not to go. “[Holland] met with Lou, had his agent on the phone and decided he wasn’t coming on the trip,” Babcock said to CBC Sports.

The Toronto Sun wrote it was Lamoriello’s decision not to have Holland come on the road trip. Holland’s agent came out shortly thereafter and said that the team would attempt to trade him.

The Anaheim Ducks drafted Holland in the first round of the 2009 draft at 15th overall. He was traded to the Leafs with Brad Staubitz in 2013 for Jesse Blacker and two 2014 draft picks.

Holland has been more than ready for the change of scenery and a chance to start over.

Mark your calendars: the Leafs play the Coyotes this coming Thursday, Dec. 15 in Toronto. We have a feeling Dave Tippett will be happy to put Holland in the lineup to face his former team.

UPDATE:

Chris Johnston is reporting the Leafs will get a 2018 sixth-round pick IF Holland is re-signed or traded by the Coyotes. Should they do neither, the Leafs will get nothing.

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Jen Neale is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow her on Twitter!

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