Sheldon Keefe offers up the biggest compliment he's ever given someone in his tenure as Leafs head coach
As a sixth round pick in the 2018 draft, Pontus Holmberg was always a long shot to make the NHL, let alone be as impactful as he has been in his short stint so far. In 8 games Holmberg has 2 goals and 3 points, but that's not what has impressed Sheldon Keefe.
"I can't find a mistake," said Sheldon Keefe when discussing Holmberg's game. As a rookie, Keefe says they always try to go through tape about what they can show players to improve their mistakes. Holmberg does all the little things right, in all three zones. He doesn't cheat offensively and always seems to make the simple, correct play.
A natural center, Holmberg has given Keefe a stable third liner that can win faceoffs and kill penalties, but also has offensive upside and can contribute with some secondary scoring. Should he continue to play the way he has, he may make a veteran forward or two expendable and free up some much needed cap space.
Keefe has no problem with giving praise to his players, but to essentially come out and call a rookie with 8 games of NHL experience perfect, I can't think of too many compliments that Keefe has offered up that reflect better on a player.
POLL |
NOVEMBRE 27 | 269 ANSWERS Sheldon Keefe offers up the biggest compliment he's ever given someone in his tenure as Leafs head coach Is Pontus Holmberg the long-term solution for the Leafs at 3C? |
Yes | 215 | 79.9 % |
No | 54 | 20.1 % |
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