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Why the Maple Leafs Called Up Pontus Holmberg From the Marlies

Originally posted on FanNation Inside The Maple Leafs
By Nick Barden | Last updated 10/20/23

Pontus Holmberg could be the first call-up from the Marlies to see an NHL game this season.

Following Thursday night's game in Florida, Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe revealed that Tyler Bertuzzi was "playing less than 100 percent" right now. Keefe, later, said that the 28-year-old might need to sit out a game due to his undisclosed injury.

"We don’t consider it too severe at this point," Keefe said. "He’s trying to stay loose and make sure he can get ready for the next shift. That wasn’t a good sign for me in terms of the quality of the game and just really wanted to lighten his load."

With the uncertainty surrounding the status of Bertuzzi for Saturday night's game vs. Tampa, Toronto recalled Holmberg on Friday ahead of their practice in Florida.

The 24-year-old has been absent from Marlies practice for two straight days and this explains why. But with that being said, Marlies head coach John Gruden is happy that Holmberg got the call-up.

"He's a 200-foot player," Gruden said, "he can play in all situations, you can rely on him. I'm happy for him that he's getting this opportunity."

For a second straight day, Bobby McMann and Roni Hirvonen were absent from Marlies' practice. McMann did skate briefly on Thursday but left practice at around the 15-minute mark.

In terms of injury updates on those two, Gruden says that the swelling hasn't gone down where Hirvonen took a stick to the face last weekend.

"We've gotten updates, but there's still some time for the swelling to go down," he said.

With McMann, Gruden says he doesn't know the full extent of the injury. But he calls the status of both players "day-to-day."

The Marlies have back-to-back games this weekend against the Charlotte Checkers, the AHL affiliate of the Florida Panthers. The puck drop for both games is set for 4 p.m.

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This article first appeared on FanNation Inside The Maple Leafs and was syndicated with permission.

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