Toronto Maple Leafs Bottom Six: Craig Berube Edition

Third Line

My early pre-training camp prediction for what the Leafs third line will look like is Jarnkrok on the left wing, Holmberg playing at center, and McMann on the right wing.

Bobby McMann

Last season, McMann registered 15 goals and nine assists for 24 points in 56 games. He will be looking to improve on his rookie season stats. Staying healthy and playing 75 games or more should help him accomplish that. I'm predicting 20 goals and 35 points from McMann this season.
(All stats from hockey-reference.com)

Calle Jarnkrok

Jarnkrok registered ten goals and 11 assists for 21 points last season in 52 games for the Leafs. He scored 20 goals during the 2022-23 season in 73 games. The Leafs will need him to stay healthy and reach the 20-goal mark again. Jarnkrok is being counted on to provide secondary scoring. I'm predicting 18 goals and 32 points for Jarnkrok. These numbers might increase if Jarnkrok gets some playing time in the top six.

Pontus Holmberg

Holmberg registered seven goals and ten assists for 17 points in 54 games last season. The Leafs will need more from the 25-year-old Swede in his third NHL season. His faceoff-winning percentage went up last season from 42.5% to 46.3% but he needs to try and get it close to 50% or better. Head coach Craig Berube expects his players to be defensively sound. Winning faceoffs and having control of the puck limits how much Holmberg and his linemates have to play defensively. I predict that Holmberg will register ten goals and 25 points this season.

With Berube as the head coach, the third line will be expected to provide secondary scoring and play well defensively. They could see a lot of time playing against the other team's top line.