Mitch Marner's Fate At Center Has Been Decided

Earlier this season, there were talks about William Nylander moving to center to help Toronto's depth down the middle.

It didn't work out and Nylander quickly shifted back to his wing. It's worked out well, as Nylander is leading the team in goals and is second in points behind Mitch Marner.

Speaking of Marner, reports surfaced recently that Craig Berube was using Marner at center to try and give himself some more versatility and perhaps unlock another part of Marner's incredible game.

Well, his decision has been made and it's a bit of a surprise. Berube has decided to entrust Pontus Holmberg to man the middle for the third line against Vegas on Wednesday night.

Toronto also took it a little bit easier in practice, as David Alter pointed out on X as well.

So why Pontus Holmberg? It's been a struggle this season for the young Swede, as he's been unproductive offensively and has been adequate defensively.

There's a lot of potential with Holmberg and his size makes him the perfect candidate for Craig Berube.

Traditionally, centers in hockey are bigger-bodied players because of their need to fight for position and the importance of winning faceoffs.

Not to say Marner can't win them, he's shown he can. It's just the propensity of him to get bullied in his own zone or get forced off the puck easier leaves Berube a bit hesitant.

Holmberg needs this though. If he wants to prove he can still deserve a roster spot on the team.

It's frustrating to watch Holmberg, a player with such untapped potential to be a solid Top 6 in the league, falter so often.

Only scoring two assists so far this year, it's a far cry from his previous output.

He's made an impact and had 30 points in 91 games through his first two seasons and looked poised to break out this year but has done the opposite.

Toronto needs him to be a 12-15 goal scorer consistently and his ability to be a solid two-way forward is there.

He's a decent faceoff taker, doesn't make too many mistakes, and doesn't mind throwing his 6'0, 188-pound frame around.

If Holmberg can step up it makes both the Maple Leafs and Craig Berube's lives a lot easier, and he has to do so starting against Vegas.