Maple Leafs Recall Pontus Holmberg

With Ryan Reaves leaving Thursday’s game against Columbus with an injury that’s expected to keep him “out for a while” according to head coach Sheldon Keefe, the Maple Leafs had an opening up front to fill.  They’ve now filled that spot as the team announced (Twitter link) that center Pontus Holmberg has been recalled from AHL Toronto.

The 24-year-old impressed in a half-season stint in 2022-23, earning him a two-year, one-way contract that carries an AAV of $800K.  It also led to expectations that he’d be an NHL regular this season.  That hasn’t been the case, however, as Toronto is taking advantage of his waiver exemption and has shuffled him back and forth so far.

Holmberg has played in seven games with the big club this season and has been held off the scoresheet while averaging just under nine minutes a night.  However, he has been quite productive with the Marlies, tallying six goals and four assists in 11 games at the AHL level.  For now, he’s likely to serve as the 13th forward assuming Matthew Knies is able to return from his illness tonight against Pittsburgh.