Craig Berube Singles Out One Young Maple Leaf Who Has Been Particularly Underwhelming
Photo credit: JOHN E. SOKOLOWSKI-USA TODAY SPORTS
Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube has singled out 25-year-old Pontus Holmberg, highlighting areas where the young forward can improve.
As the Toronto Maple Leafs prepared to face the Minnesota Wild, they received some encouraging news regarding Matthew Knies and John Tavares who are both nearing their returns.
While the return of key players is always a positive, for Maple Leafs, for forward Pontus Holmberg, it represents a missed opportunity.
Holmberg was given a chance to showcase his talent on a banged-up Maple Leafs squad, but his play has largely gone unnoticed.
Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube shared his thoughts on the Swedish forward, as per Leafslatest on X:
"I have talked to him a few times about this. When I watch him do things, I see the way he can skate, hang onto pucks, transport the puck up the ice, and hang onto pucks in the offensive zone. I believe there is a lot more offense there with him. It is about honing it in a little bit more. It's more of a confidence thing with him. He doesn't want to make a mistake. He has to change his mindset and be more aggressive. There is ability there. I do see the ability. I see more in him than what we are getting."
Berube's comments reflect mixed results. While Holmberg clearly has the talent, his struggles with confidence have prevented him from consistently showcasing his skills.
This isn't the first time a Maple Leafs coach has recognized Holmberg's potential. After Holmberg's NHL debut in 2022, former head coach Sheldon Keefe noted that the young forward had the tools to succeed in the league.
At 25 years old, Holmberg is moving beyond the prospect stage and into the player he's going to be. With just 7 points in 38 games this season, his production has decreased compared to previous years with the Maple Leafs, which raises concerns.
If his struggles persist, we may be seeing the last of the Swedish forward in a Maple Leafs uniform, as he could be included in a trade package for an upgrade at center at the trade deadline.
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