Holmberg’s Fourth-Line Play Could Be a Key for the Maple Leafs

Ex-Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe always appreciated Pontus Holmberg’s consistency and reliability. Keefe assessed that the young Swedish forward seldom made mistakes. He generally always did the right thing. Holmberg’s steady play earned him a place in Keefe’s lineup, often moving up to various lines due to his versatility. Mitch Marner has also expressed how much he appreciates Holmberg.

In the same way, current Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube also shared a belief in Holmberg’s potential. In late January, Berube put Holmberg with fellow Swede William Nylander, noting that he believed he had more offensive upside. He hoped playing with Nylander would help unlock that. Well, not so much.

Maple Leafs Coaches Believe in Holmberg

Still, Berube continues to utilize Holmberg across multiple lines—sometimes even the top units. And while Holmberg shows his adaptability—like a Swiss Army knife—he hasn’t yet fully unlocked the offensive upside his coaches expected with 15 points this season. Still, Holmberg’s engagement and strong presence on the ice have remained evident to the eye test.

However, his leadership role on the fourth line is becoming impressive. He consistently handles the defensive load there, helping stabilize and anchor that group. Despite the lack of a significant scoring breakout, Holmberg’s all-around play continues to earn the trust of his coaches.

Holmberg’s Consistency on the Fourth Line

One of the most noticeable trends with Holmberg recently is his impact on the fourth line. He seems to be the driving force on that unit, consistently carrying the play and ensuring they are defensively responsible. Unlike when he’s moved up the lineup, where his performance can dip, Holmberg looks far more comfortable and productive in his current role.

He’s been reliable in his defensive zone, and his playmaking skills stand out when paired with the right players. The fourth line has become a unit that the team can trust not to get scored on, which is crucial in playoff-level hockey. Holmberg brings stability and a steady presence the team can rely on in challenging situations.

If Holmberg Is Trusted and Effective, Why Move Him?

Holmberg doesn’t need to be shifted in the lineup to earn a more significant role. His coach trusts him, and he’s working well on the fourth line. While he’s been moved up to the top six multiple times, his production never quite matches his fourth-line success. It makes sense to ask: Why fix something that isn’t broken?

The fourth line has been playing well recently, and a large part of that success can be attributed to Holmberg’s steady play. He’s not flashy but a reliable two-way player who makes solid decisions. His ability to contribute offensively when needed has made him a key part of the bottom six.

The Maple Leafs Bottom Line (Pun Intended)

Holmberg’s role on the fourth line offers the Maple Leafs a balanced and effective bottom-six presence. That, in itself, is something every championship-contending team needs. Rather than continuing to move Holmberg around the lineup, the Maple Leafs should keep him on the fourth line, where he has been most effective.

Holmberg’s defensive stability and energy provide the team with solid bottom-six play, allowing the top lines to focus on scoring. He has proven to be a reliable and trustworthy asset in this role, and consistently adjusting his position may be less beneficial than trusting him to remain in his most effective spot. Letting him stay on the fourth line will allow him to continue contributing to the team’s defensive strength.

[Note: I want to thank long-time Maple Leafs fan Stan Smith for collaborating with me on this post. Stan’s Facebook profile can be found here.]