The Maple Leafs Player Who Got Away Isn't Who You Think

When Maple Leafs fans talk about players the organization should have kept, a few familiar names usually come up. But what if one of the more interesting examples is a player who probably didn't get much attention when he left? Pontus Holmberg might be worth another look.

The Maple Leafs Simply Let Holmberg Walk in 2025.

Toronto didn't qualify Holmberg after the 2024-25 season, making him an unrestricted free agent. Tampa Bay stepped in on July 1, 2025, signing him to a two-year, $1.55 million contract. At the time, it probably didn't look like a particularly significant transaction. Holmberg was a useful depth forward, but nobody was suggesting the Maple Leafs had let a future star get away. Maybe, though, they underestimated what he could become.

Holmberg is now 27, and his numbers with Tampa Bay are beginning to tell an interesting story. Through 17 games in the 2026-27 season, he's recorded six goals and seven assists for 13 points. That's already an encouraging offensive contribution from a player who wasn't exactly leaving Toronto with a reputation as a prolific scorer.

What's particularly interesting is how he's getting there. In a 6-4 win over Winnipeg on October 30, Holmberg recorded a goal and three assists, giving him the first four-point game of his NHL career. He was playing alongside Anthony Cirelli and Brandon Hagel, and Hagel had some nice things to say about him.

Holmberg Showed Some of That Versatility in Toronto.

Hagel described Holmberg as a Swiss Army knife, explaining that he plays much like Cirelli and can be asked to do just about anything. He also pointed out that Holmberg has always had offensive skill. That's an interesting observation. Sometimes a player doesn't need to become something completely different to find another level. He needs an opportunity, the right linemates, and a coaching staff willing to use the skills he already possesses.

Holmberg provided another example on November 8, scoring twice in just 26 seconds late in a game against Winnipeg. Tampa Bay still lost 4-3, but Holmberg nearly pulled off an unlikely comeback by capitalizing on rebounds around the net.

Now, let's not get carried away. Thirteen points in 17 games doesn't make Holmberg an NHL star, and Toronto had reasons for making its roster decisions. But Tampa Bay seems to have found a player who can contribute in several different ways while offering more offence than his previous numbers suggested.

Did the Maple Leafs Underestimate Holmberg?

That's the part Maple Leafs fans might find interesting. Toronto didn't necessarily let a star walk away. It may have let go of a player whose potential it didn't fully recognize.

Sometimes the player who got away isn't the one everybody is talking about. Sometimes it's the quiet one who finds the right opportunity somewhere else.