Brad Treliving Urged to Trade Underperforming Forward After Back-to-Back Breakout Games
The Toronto Maple Leafs could help themselves out big time this trade deadline by selling on the hype of one forward who has suddenly found an offensive spark.
A lot of talk has surrounded which assets would be the best for the Maple Leafs to trade at the deadline in order to bring in the right pieces for the team. With Chris Tanev injured, the team may need to shift their focus a bit to a defenseman to fill that gap.
But with all their prospects and minimal picks, the team does have a dark horse candidate who has started to make some noise lately, and the team could sell on his momentum.
Pontus Holmberg has come out of nowhere recently and been on an offensive tear.
Since being placed on a line with John Tavares and William Nylander, he has four goals in three games and had a clutch game-tying goal against Boston in the last minute of the game.
Suddenly finding his offensive spark, the Maple Leafs should look to package him in a trade deal that'll bring a proper piece back.
Toronto Needs To Sell Teams On Pontus Holmberg ASAP
It's a tad frustrating to see Holmberg now picking things up 50+ games into the season, but better late than never.
But it's this hot streak he's on which is a bit concerning. He can clearly contribute offensively, but he is extremely inconsistent and has spurts of scoring mixed in with some pretty dismal showings.
He's never really had such an outburst, and is only two goals off tying his career-high from last year. If he can keep this pace and pot a couple of goals over the next week; Toronto has to capitalize on that.
This season, Holmberg has six goals and seven assists in 46 games with the Maple Leafs, and is two goals and five points away from setting career highs in both.
Maybe it won't bring them Brayden Schenn, but it could help them bring in Scott Laughton. Packaging their 2025 2nd rounder with Holmberg could be enough to persuade GM Daniel Briere to take a look.
There is a chance however that Toronto wants to keep him around, not only if he keeps his offense going, but his serviceable defense and odd knack for drawing penalties has endeared him to coach Craig Berube.
But if Holmberg intrigues a team enough in a package that they are willing to part with a piece Toronto needs, they shouldn't blink twice about passing off Holmberg as he's far from a sure thing.
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3 HOURS AGO | 131 ANSWERS Brad Treliving Urged to Trade Underperforming Forward After Back-to-Back Breakout Games Should the Maple Leafs trade or keep Pontus Holmberg? | ||
