Maple Leafs lesser lights Pontus Holmberg and Bobby McMann are starting to shine

With the scoring prowess of and garnering much of the spotlight, and the heroics of stabilizing the net, it's easy to overlook the contributions of a few of the lesser lights. But the likes of and have helped steel coach Sheldon Keefe's bottom two lines to the point where it's hard for him to get Nick Robertson in the lineup.

McMann scored his second goal of the season on Thursday night against the Islanders, a beauty, looking like Matthews' one timer when he did it. It was McMann's one year anniversary of his first call up to the Maple Leafs. He was hurt 10 games into his tenure last year. Now, after an early season trip through the waiver wire, he seems a fixture with David Kämpf and Noah Gregor on the fourth line.

“I'm more comfortable probably than I ever have been, especially with the two guys I've been playing with, too,” said McMann. “I think we all play a similar style of game. Fast. Keep it simple. Get pucks to the net and make it hard on their team.” The 27 year old native of Wainwright, Alta., is one of the feel good stories of the Leafs' development system.

Undrafted of the Bonnyville Pontiacs of the Alberta Junior Hockey League, McMann spent four full years at Colgate University. He joined the Marlies in 2020 21 after graduating, showing a penchant for scoring at the minor league level. At six foot two and 210 pounds, he's a big body on the fourth line, and plays with some speed.

He's been a top line player on every team he's played on, until he got to the Leafs, where he's had to adjust. “He just looks more comfortable with the expectations we have on him,” said Keefe. “He's an older guy that hasn't played a lot of pro hockey. When he has played in the AHL, he succeeded quickly and played high in the lineup.

“I don't know that he's ever been a checker and a grinder and learning to do those kinds of things. He's simplifying his game, but still uses his size and strength to get to good areas and get off shots. He's been physical. With as big and strong as he is, and with the quickness he has, when he's focused on playing a role and simplifying things and being hard to play against, you can trust a guy like that.” The 24 year old Holmberg is another lesson in patience.

A sixth round pick in the 2018 draft, Holmberg was Sweden's forward of the year in 2020 21 and the Swedish league's playoff MVP that season his Växjö Lakers HC won the championship. He represented Sweden in the 2022 Olympics before joining the Marlies. He played 37 games for the Leafs last season, earning Keefe's trust as a checker.

He only lost his job at the trade deadline when veterans like Ryan O'Reilly and Noel Acciari needed roster spots, and Holmberg was easily sent to the Marlies. He had a bad camp, but has recently reasserted himself. He scored a beautiful goal against San Jose on Tuesday, driving the net and one handing the puck past the Sharks goalie.

It drew the praise of Mitch Marner. “That guy is a hell of a player, always above the puck,” Marner said that night of Holmberg. “He seems annoying to play against, which you love to have on your team. He wins a lot of battles. You see his strength. That was a hell of a goal.” But Holmberg's assist on a Matthews goal on Thursday might have been better, stripping an Islanders' unwitting defender to feed the league's leading goal scorer.

“I'm pretty familiar with him since he's been called up a couple of times and made the jump,” said Matthews. “He's an incredible player. His skill level is up there with some of the best guys I've seen. He's got a great stick, great anticipation. He made a great play to tap the puck away and I happened to be in a good spot to get it.” Holmberg plays all three forward positions.

That versatility, plus his defensive acumen in his own zone, has put him ahead of Robertson on the depth chart. “We felt like he's got more to offer us than what he's given through the season when we've used him,” Keefe said of Holmberg. “These last couple of games, I've liked his games.

I wanted to get him back in. “He's strong on the puck. He's not the biggest guy but he's strong. He's not easy to get the puck from. He's great in possessing the puck and transporting it up the ice.” Keefe has criticized Robertson's concentration, saying too often plays die on his stick, forcing the rest of the line to play defence.

Holmberg took Robertson's spot and has run with it. Robertson, meanwhile, is applying the lessons he's learned to the nights when he does get in the lineup. Robertson got into Tuesday's game against San Jose, and responded with a goal and played the kind of heads up hockey Keefe expects.

Robertson is still only 22, the youngest Maple Leaf. “I'm happy with how I've been playing and I have to do what I can when I get back in,” said Robertson. “I'm happy with how simple I'm keeping it. When you're playing the right way, you get more time with the puck and everything falls into place.".