After another disappointing Toronto Maple Leafs playoff loss, it's time to break up the core four forwards and that might mean moving on from Mitch Marner, who becomes a free agent at the end of the 2024-25 season. Pontus Holmberg is heading to Czechia to play in the World Championships with Team Sweden. The 25-year-old was named to Sweden's roster on Wednesday, along with 24 other players. Holmberg has represented his country on the world stage, both at the 2019 World Juniors and the 2022 Olympics, but has never played in the World Championships. The forward's season with Toronto ended on Saturday after the team's 2-1 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins in Game 7. Holmberg had a career-high 17 points (seven goals, 10 assists) in 54 games with the Maple Leafs this season. He had zero points against the Bruins in seven playoff games, averaging 11:42 of ice time in the series. Holmberg primarily centered Toronto's third line with Nick Robertson and Calle Jarnkrok on his wings before moving to the left side in Game 7 with Auston Matthews' return. The Maple Leafs drafted Holmberg in the sixth round (156th overall) in the 2018 NHL Draft. He has 12 goals and 18 assists for 30 points in 91 NHL games. Toronto signed Holmberg to a two-year, $1.6 million contract in June 2023. He has one more year remaining with an annual average value of $800,000 before becoming a restricted free agent in 2025. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCtxv9MC2yQ[/embed] Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNTk1MTUxMDE2NDM2ODQ0/cf1808c0-6a82-4298-9049-3eb2eae105b0.jpg] Related 'Both Attainable And A Ways Away': Are the Maple Leafs Actually ‘Close’ to Reaching Meaningful Success in the Stanley Cup Playoffs Without a Massive Change? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/it-feels-both-attainable-and-a-ways-away-how-close-are-the-maple-leafs-to-reaching-maximum-success-in-the-stanley-cup-playoffs] 'I Want To Get More Stability': Ilya Samsonov Feels One-Year Deals With Maple Leafs Weighed On His Mind This Season [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/i-want-to-get-more-stability-ilya-samsonov-feels-one-year-deals-with-maple-leafs-weighed-on-his-mind-this-season] ‘Marner Took A Lot Of Heat’: Pair of Former Maple Leafs Coaches Defend Mitch Marner On Play That Ended Toronto's Stanley Cup Playoffs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/marner-took-a-lot-of-heat-pair-of-former-maple-leafs-coaches-defend-mitch-marner-on-play-that-ended-torontos-stanley-cup-playoffs] News from THN.com NHL Draft Lottery: What Macklin Celebrini Can Bring to the San Jose Sharks [https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhl-draft-lottery-what-macklin-celebrini-can-bring-to-the-san-jose-sharks] NHL Playoffs: Canucks and Oilers Series Should Be Closer Than People Think [https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhl-playoffs-canucks-and-oilers-series-should-be-closer-than-people-think] NHL Announces Finalists for Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award and Fan Vote [https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhl-announces-finalists-for-willie-oree-community-hero-award-and-fan-vote]
