Craig Berube Criticizes Maple Leafs Forward After Disappointing Start to Season
Maple Leafs forward Pontus Holmberg was anticipated to progress this season, but according to head coach Craig Berube, he has instead regressed.
Holmberg’s development was anticipated to render players like David Kampf and Calle Jarnkrok expendable for the Leafs, opening up vital cap space and possibly freeing a roster spot or two. However, after five games, Holmberg’s performance has been underwhelming, with Berube offering a blunt critique of the 2018 sixth-round pick.
It seems likely that Holmberg will be taken out of the lineup on Monday in favor of Max Pacioretty, who has been a healthy scratch for the last two games.
Whether Holmberg is still adjusting to Berube’s system or is feeling the pressure of a more regular role early in the season, he could soon find himself slipping down the depth chart, especially with Connor Dewar and Calle Jarnkrok set to return from injury.
Through five games, Holmberg has been playing nearly two more minutes per game compared to last season. While that might not seem like a lot, some players across the league benefit from being given more protection in their ice time, and Holmberg, at 25, seems to be falling into that category this season.
With the Leafs playing back-to-back games on Monday and Tuesday, it’s possible Holmberg will spend one or both nights in the press box, taking a mental break that could ultimately work in his favor.
