Craig Berube scapegoats one Toronto Maple Leafs player after slow start to the NHL season

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a 3-2-0 mark through five games, and now Head Coach Craig Berube has singled out Pontus Holmberg's start to the year.

After so many changes this off-season, the Toronto Maple Leafs come into the 2024/25 season with the weight of the world on their shoulders, and while some are calling out Craig Berube for his moves this summer, the team look solid through a 3-2-0 start to the season. However, the team suffered their worst loss of the season over the weekend, falling 4-1 to the New York Rangers at home, and while there's no reason to panic just yet, Berube is clearly making his mark on the new team.

When asked about the start to the season, Berube opted to single out young forward Pontus Holmberg, who he believes has looked a step slow through the first five games of the year.

With the newfound depth that the Maple Leafs have, they've scratched Max Pacioretty for two straight games, but given Berube's comments, it's easy to assume that Holmberg may face a similar fate in favour of the veteran moving forward. This is a luxury that Toronto haven't exactly had in recent years under Sheldon Keefe, and with the Stanley Cup winning Berube leading the way, he clearly knows what strings to pull to get the best out of his players.

To start the new week, Toronto face a back-to-back with Tampa Bay and Columbus, so it may be a split for Pacioretty and Holmberg in that time, but for now the performance of the 25-year old who has just one assist this season is something to monitor.

MUST READ

2 hours ago  |  By Aaron Itovitch 900-Game NHL Veteran Likely to Retire After Refusing to Sign With Canadian Team

3 hours ago  |  By Aaron Itovitch Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving Addresses Struggling Player Nick Robertson in New Interview

5 hours ago  |  By Julien Trekker Terrifying Scene for Carolina Hurricanes Goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov as He Blacks Out on the Ice

18 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks Angry John Tortorella Calls Out One Flyers Player: Trade is Likely Per Elliotte Friedman

20 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks Quinn Hughes Ejected: Suspension May be Coming for the Reigning Norris Winner

21 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks Matvei Michkov Stuns With Crazy Quote in Post-Game Interview Following OT Winner

22 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks Jeremy Swayman on the Verge of Losing the Starting Role in Boston: His Contract Looks Like a Disaster

Nov 23  |  By TJ Tucker Detroit Red Wings Place Massive Six-Foot-Six Forward on Waivers

MORE STORIES