New Report Raises Questions About Maple Leafs' Decision to Move on from Pontus Holmberg
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Elliotte Friedman reports Pontus Holmberg was a highly sought-after free agent, and the Toronto Maple Leafs may regret losing him.
It was bit of a surprise when the Maple Leafs didn't field a qualifying offer to Pontus Holmberg this summer, with the RFA becoming a free agent and signing with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Holmberg had interest, Tampa Bay the victor
On the 32 Thoughts Podcast, NHL Insider Ellitote Friedman reveals there was a strong market for Toronto Maple Leafs free agent Pontus Holmberg, with the forward signing a two-year deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
According to Friedman, multiple teams had interest in Holmberg, including strong playoff contenders, with one of those teams believed to be the Colorado Avalanche.
The Toronto Maple Leafs didn't cut him or not qualify Holmberg because he's a bad player, they didn't qualify him because they didn't have room for him and they didn't want to be forced into a tighter box than they're already in.
I heard there were a lot of good teams that were in on Holmberg, I think Colorado was one of them, so if that's the quality of team that's going after the guy, then that's a good player to have. - Elliotte Friedman
I heard there were a lot of good teams that were in on Holmberg, I think Colorado was one of them, so if that's the quality of team that's going after the guy, then that's a good player to have. - Elliotte Friedman
Holmberg, 26, had seven goals and 19 points in 68 games played this season for the Toronto Maple Leafs, being a reliable defensive shutdown forward who could play both at center and on the wing while being an effective penalty killer.
At $1.55M annually, the value that Holmberg had as a ftee agent that attracted multiple teams to him is a question if the Toronto Maple Leafs were too quick to move on from him.
Was letting go of Pontus Holmberg a mistake?
The Leafs probably could have afforded to match what Holmberg got from Tampa, but being scratched in the playoffs made him a movable asset and would allow him to get more consistent chances elsewhere, including potentially in the playoffs.
Understandably, it appeared the best mutual option to let Holmberg get a more prominent roster spot outside of Toronto.
But perhaps the team had not seen the value in Holmberg enough, as he's a versatile forward with good forechecking and defensive awareness who showcases a strong effort level.
Toronto added a potential replacement in Nicolas Roy, and depth options that include Michael Pezzetta and Vinni Lettieri, but lack Holmberg's age and offense.
Friedman also added Matias Maccelli had interest from 3-4 teams with the Boston Bruins and Edmonton Oilers believed to have been teams in on him before ultimately being dealt to Toronto.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are trying to find a new identity on their bottom-six, but may have made a bit of an uncertain decision making on from one of the team's most responsible defensive forwards when grit is something very much needed in the team's lineup.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 17 | 1642 ANSWERS New Report Raises Questions About Maple Leafs' Decision to Move on from Pontus Holmberg Should the Toronto Maple Leafs have re-signed Pontus Holmberg? | ||
| Yes | 351 | 21.4 % |
| No | 1291 | 78.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
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