Pontus Holmberg reveals how the Toronto Maple Leafs kicked him to the curb
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Pontus Holmberg was previously kicked to the curb by the Toronto Maple Leafs, and now, he is explaining what happened.
During the offseason, the Toronto Maple Leafs had to make some difficult decisions involving player personnel and which guys they wanted to bring back.
26-year-old forward Pontus Holmberg was set to become a restricted free agent, and the Leafs had to either give him a qualifying offer or let him go.
In the end, the team let him go, and the Tampa Bay Lightning were quick to pick him up on an inexpensive deal. He has gone on to give the Lightning six points in 22 games, and remains a consistent bottom-sixer in their lineup.
Toronto Maple Leafs tell Pontus Holmberg to get lost
Prior to last night's game between the Leafs and the Lightning, reporter David Alter of The Hockey News got to speak with Holmberg about what happened in Toronto.
As Holmberg explains, he wanted to come back to the Leafs, but something happened, and an offer was never extended. Now, Holmberg is happy to be somewhere he's wanted.
I was ready to come back but something happened, but I'm happy to be here. It's a new start for me.
Lightning head coach Jon Cooper was later asked about Holmberg, and he only had good things to say about the former Leaf, which is always good to see.
I love that kid. His strength on his skates and the puck... he protects it. You can't take it from him. When you need to kill another team's momentum, just put it on his stick and he'll do it all by himself.
For the Leafs, it's hard to say that they truly messed up by letting him go. At the end of the day, he was never someone who produced well for the team.
Last season, he had 19 points in 69 games, so it is very easy to see why the Leafs would rather just look for bottom-six talent elsewhere.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 9 | 633 ANSWERS Pontus Holmberg reveals how the Toronto Maple Leafs kicked him to the curb Do you believe the Toronto Maple Leafs made a mistake with Pontus Holmberg? | ||
| YES | 275 | 43.4 % |
| NO | 358 | 56.6 % |
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