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3 Surprising Players That Will Make the Toronto Maple Leafs

By Edward Eng

Jan 25, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Pontus Holmberg (29) gestures as he celebrates with defenseman Justin Holl (3) after scoring a goal against the New York Rangers in the first period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Pontus Holmberg (29) gestures as he celebrates with defenseman Justin Holl (3) after scoring a goal against the New York Rangers in the first period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 15, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Pontus Holmberg (29)   Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 15, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Pontus Holmberg (29)   Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

3 Surprising Players That Will Make the Toronto Maple Leafs

Pontus Holmberg

Last season, Pontus Holmberg gave the Toronto Maple Leafs a great impression during his abbreviated 37-game stint with the team.

With his smart hockey IQ and great positioning on the ice, he played effectively overall for the Leafs during the 2022-23 season.

More importantly, he was able to provide some offensive output from the bottom-six of the lineup that the Leafs often lacked last season with five goals and eight assists.

However, due to the numerous additions to the Leafs lineup as they geared up for the playoff run, Holmberg was eventually forced out of a regular spot and was sent down to the Toronto Marlies for the remaining of the season.

With the Marlies, Holmberg continued his strong play, putting up 10 goals and 12 assists for 22 points in 38 games.

In doing so, he helped the Marlies reach the AHL playoffs, but only to bow out in the North Division finals to the Rochester Americans.

Nevertheless, he still gained valuable playoff experience, while producing at a solid rate of a point-a-game during the playoffs.

So far during the 2023 NHL preseason, he may not be putting up spectacular numbers or making highlight-reel plays, but Holmberg has continued his steady, solid play whenever he is on the ice.

With his added flexibility of being able to play both center and the wing, along with his prior NHL experience from last season, look for Holmberg to secretly steal a roster spot when next week comes around.

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