The return of defenseman Erik Gustafsson to the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins on Friday only served to add more evidence to the case against the number of poor contracts that Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman has given to journeymen NHL players.

On a list of the 10-highest paid players currently toiling in the AHL, three of the top-five places are occupied by players that Yzerman signed while GM of the Red Wings. Two of the players remain on Detroit’s payroll.

Topping the list of the AHL’s highest-paid performers is Griffins defenseman Justin Holl. Three summers ago, Yzerman and the Red Wings signed Holl to a three-year contract as a UFA with an AAV of $3.4 million.

Holl played 111 games for the Red Wings over the past two seasons. He accounted for 2-11-13 totals and a plus-one rating. He was also assigned to the AHL Griffins to begin last season, but was quickly promoted when the club incurred injuries along the blueline.

Griffins defenseman Justin Holl shares his thoughts after scoring the teddy bear toss goal for the first time plus what he saw from the team in tonight’s 3-2 win over Iowa#GoGRG #LGRW pic.twitter.com/VnhS00YuIa

— Hockeytown West Podcast (@HockeytownWpod) November 29, 2025

This is Holl’s first AHL action since the 2017-18 season, when he was with the Toronto Marlies. He appears to have found his footing at this level. Holl shows 2-4-6 totals through 14 games, and a plus-12 rating that is second-best on the team.

An NHL executive who sees plenty of AHL games allowed that Holl is an outstanding defenseman at that level. Still, the Red Wings aren’t paying him $10.2 million over three years to help the organization win the Calder Cup.

Former Red Wings Goalie Slots In At No. 3

The next player on the list with a Red Wings connection is goalie Ville Husso of the San Diego Gulls. He’s third overall. Husso is banking $2.9 million this season, but at least this pact can’t be blamed on Yzerman.

It was Yzerman’s former lieutenant in Detroit, Anaheim Ducks GM Pat Verbeek, who was responsible. He signed former Detroit netminder Husso to a two-year pact in the summer. Verbeek acquired Husso from the Red Wings last season.

UPDATE: The #RedWings have assigned Erik Gustafsson to the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins and activated Michael Rasmussen from IR. pic.twitter.com/Q4GudHauzA

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) November 28, 2025

Now that he’s back in the league, Gustafsson is No. 5 on the list of highest-paid AHLers. He’s making $2 million this season in the second year of the one-way deal he got from Yzerman as a UFA in the summer of 2024.