The Toronto Maple Leafs have opted not to qualify forward Pontus Holmberg prior to the July 1 free agency deadline, allowing him to become a free agent. The Tampa Bay Lightning quickly signed Holmberg to a two-year contract valued at $3.1 million. The deal averages $1.55 million per year, marking the end of Holmberg's tenure with the Leafs where he scored 49 points in 159 games since being drafted in the sixth round in 2018.

General Manager Brad Treliving cited arbitration concerns as a key reason for not qualifying Holmberg, stating they couldn’t agree on a suitable number. With the Leafs having filled all 23 roster spots, they currently have $4.98 million in cap space remaining. Holmberg's performance last season included 19 points in 68 games, but he was scratched during the playoffs, casting uncertainty on his future.

As the Toronto Maple Leafs gear up for the upcoming free agency, General Manager Brad Treliving has already made significant roster changes by securing extensions for key players like Steven Lorentz, Matthew Knies, and John Tavares. In a noteworthy move, Treliving orchestrated a sign-and-trade deal with the Vegas Golden Knights to acquire Nicolas Roy in exchange for Mitch Marner. With 22 NHL players already re-signed, the focus now shifts to addressing their unrestricted free agents, including Max Pacioretty and Pontus Holmberg, and restricted free agent Nick Robertson.

Treliving faces the challenge of working with limited salary cap space, approximately $8.9 million, while still looking to make impactful signings. Potential targets include Nikolaj Ehlers from the Winnipeg Jets, whose offensive prowess could complement the Leafs' strategy, and Brock Boeser from the Vancouver Canucks, who might find a chance to thrive alongside Auston Matthews. Other intriguing options include veterans like Patrick Kane and Connor Brown, who could bolster the forward lines.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have kicked off a new chapter by trading star forward Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights in a bold move following his eight-year, $96 million signing. While the Leafs secured depth at center with Nicolas Roy coming in return, they were able to avoid losing Marner for nothing had he opted to sign as a free agent. This shift signifies the end of Marner's impactful era with the team, in which he was drafted fourth overall in 2015 and became a pivotal player.

Additionally, the Leafs have extended Steven Lorentz’s contract and navigated qualifying offers for several restricted free agents. Notably, Pontus Holmberg will become an unrestricted free agent, while others like Matthew Knies are in the pipeline for significant agreements. The team also made a strategic move by trading for Utah winger Matias Maccelli, acquiring him for a conditional third-round draft pick. These changes reflect the Leafs’ commitment to reshaping their roster and addressing their immediate needs for the upcoming season.

The Toronto Maple Leafs remain focused after a strong start to the playoffs, defeating the Ottawa Senators in Game 1. Auston Matthews emphasized the need to avoid complacency, expressing confidence that the Senators will come out stronger in Game 2. Nick Domi was shifted to the third line, while Pontus Holmberg took his spot with Tavares and Nylander, focusing on puck protection during the penalty kills. The team is keeping a close eye on Senators’ forward Ridly Greig, who drew attention for his aggressive play, including a notable cross-check on Tavares, which did not result in further disciplinary action. Head Coach Craig Berube urged his team to maintain physicality without crossing lines, highlighting the importance of composure.

The Toronto Maple Leafs continued their impressive run, defeating the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1, inching closer to clinching the Atlantic Division for the first time in franchise history. The first period saw some uneven play from both teams, but Pontus Holmberg netted a late goal to give Toronto a 1-0 lead. In the second period, Auston Matthews scored his 31st goal of the season, marking his 399th career goal in the NHL. Mitch Marner assisted on the goal, bringing him to one point shy of reaching the 100-point milestone for the first time in his career.

The Leafs kept the momentum going in the third period, with William Nylander scoring his 45th goal and John Tavares netting his 38th. Carolina’s Sebastian Aho scored a power-play goal, but it was merely a consolation as Toronto's Joseph Woll secured the win, earning the team its 50th victory of the season. Despite the win, Toronto's path to clinching the division was complicated by the Tampa Bay Lightning's victory over the Buffalo Sabres. The Leafs now look ahead to their next game against the Sabres, where they have a chance to officially secure first place in the division.