Leafs Have Another Hole to Fill After Middle Six Winger Leaves the Organization for Tampa

While most of the fanfare surrounding the Toronto Maple Leafs so far in the summer has surrounded the departure of now-former Core-4 forward Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights, the Leafs now have another hole in their lineup.

Forward Pontus Holmberg has joined the divisional foe Tampa Bay Lightning, signing a 2-year deal with an AAV (average annual value) of $1.55 million.

Known for his defensive skills, he'll be slotting into a bottom-6 role with the Lightning.

It represents a healthy raise in salary for Holmberg, who had an AAV of $800,000 with the Maple Leafs over the last pair of years.

Holmberg became a restricted free agent after Toronto general manager Brad Treliving decided against giving him a qualifying contract offer.

Holmberg had 19 (7G, 12A) points with the Maple Leafs this year while playing in 68 games, and averaged just under 13 minutes of ice time per game. His 19 points were a new career-best at the NHL level.

He was taken by the Maple Leafs with the 156th overall pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, a pick they acquired via trade with the hope of being able to draft him.

In 2022-23, he would split his time between the Maple Leafs and their AHL affiliate Toronto Marlies.

Holmberg has skated in 159 career NHL games, all with the Maple Leafs, and has 49 points (19G, 30A).

Before he came to North America, Holmberg played in his native Sweden and helped the Swedish Hockey League's Växjö Lakers HC to the SHL championship in 2021.