The Toronto Maple Leafs held their final practice of their regular season opener. Fraser Minten and Noah Gregor earn spots in the opening-night lineup. TAMPA — The Toronto Maple Leafs could be preparing to change their lineup ahead of their game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday. The team announced that forward Pontus Holmberg has been called up and defenseman Simon Benoit has been sent down to the Toronto Marlies. The Maple Leafs are scheduled to practice in Tampa on Friday afternoon where it is expected that Holmberg will take part. THN Toronto's Nick Barden reported yesterday that Pontus Holmberg did not take part in Toronto Marlies practice. Forward Bobby McMann also departed the session after about 15 minutes. The Maple Leafs could be in need of another forward after Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe revealed that Tyler Bertuzzi is not 100 percent as he deals with an undisclosed ailment. Holmberg has exclusively been used as a center at the NHL level and had some success in his rookie season in 2022-23 with five goals and eight assists in 37 games. The move would also make sense if the Maple Leafs decide to send 2022 second-round selection Fraser Minten back to the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL. "I think he's learning a lot about the league," Keefe said of the rookie center following the team's 3-1 loss to the Florida Panthers on Thursday. "I think he continues to work hard, continues to be good defensively. He won a couple of puck battles here tonight that were really positive and good." The 19-year-old Minten was limited to just 8:47, his lowest output yet in his young career. WHY SEND DOWN BENOIT? The Leafs are currently right up against the salary cap limit and any roster addition requires someone moved off. Signed to a one-year, $775,000 contract in August, Benoit is currently Toronto's seventh defenseman. He has yet to dress for the Maple Leafs this season. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNTk1MTUxMDE2NDM2ODQ0/cf1808c0-6a82-4298-9049-3eb2eae105b0.jpg] Related Maple Leafs Can't Properly Assess Goaltending Until Defense Improves [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/maple-leafs-cant-properly-assess-goaltending-until-defense-improves] Maple Leafs' Tyler Bertuzzi Playing 'Less Than 100 Percent Right Now' [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/maple-leafs-tyler-bertuzzi-playing-less-than-100-percent-right-now] Auston Matthews' Penalty-Killing and Other Observations in Maple Leafs' 3-1 Loss to Panthers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/auston-matthews-penalty-killing-and-other-observations-in-maple-leafs-3-1-loss-to-panthers] News from THN.com Sleepers and Keepers Podcast: Big Fantasy Hockey Questions from Week 1 [https://thehockeynews.com/podcast/sleepers-and-keepers-podcast-big-fantasy-hockey-questions-from-week-1] Canucks' Conor Garland Draws More Interest in the NHL Trade Market [https://thehockeynews.com/news/canucks-conor-garland-draws-more-interest-in-the-nhl-trade-market] NHL Three Stars: Hill, Pettersson and Matthews Shine in Week One [https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhl-three-stars-hill-pettersson-and-matthews-shine-in-week-one]
