The roster shuffling continues as the Leafs have called up Bobby McMann and loaned Pontus Holmberg to the Marlies.
The @MapleLeafs have recalled F Bobby McMann from the @TorontoMarlies.
F Pontus Holmberg has been loaned to the Marlies.
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) November 11, 2023
Holmberg’s return to the NHL team is short-lived given he got called up merely two days ago and was a healthy scratch in last night’s game against the Flames. He should provide an additional boost for a Marlies team that is fresh off a 7-3 win over the Grand Rapids Griffins yesterday.
McMann was a healthy scratch for that aforementioned game due to precautionary reasons. Some people speculated whether it had anything to do with the rumours surrounding Nikita Zadorov’s trade request, but this roster transaction likely means the move was to get him ready to join the Leafs before they head over to Sweden given the logistical challenges that would come with having to bring up a body after they arrive. It remains to be seen if he will make his season debut tonight against the Canucks, but the Leafs will want to have him on standby next week if needed at the very least.
Even still, it was only a matter of time before the McCannic found his way back to the NHL. It likely would have happened a lot sooner had it not been for a lingering knee injury that kept him out of preseason action. The Leafs PR did not mention if this was an emergency recall, likely meaning that McMann would need to pass through waivers again if they send him back to the AHL just like they did last month.
If there are any injured players placed on injured reserve before they head across the pond, I would imagine Holmberg also gets called up as injury insurance on forward. For the time being, he will report to the Marlies for tonight’s game and we’ll see what happens with him after that.
Holmberg has gone scoreless through seven NHL games so far this season while also collecting a goal and an assist in two games with the Marlies. Through six AHL games, McMann has amassed three points (two goals and an assist) in that span.
Stats from Hockey-Reference.com.
