Photo credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
A former Toronto Maple Leaf included in team Sweden is drawing question marks from analysts and fans alike.
Some early debate ahead of puck drop for Sweden ahead of their first Olympic men’s hockey match of the 2026 games against host nation Italy.
With Leafs forward William Nylander uncertain for today’s match against the Italians, the Swedish lines have been thrown into a confusing limbo, and their line choices have drawn some note.
According to Adam Johnasson of Swedish national outlet ‘Expressen’, with Nylander’s status known, it would appear that Filip Forsberg is an extra skater for the Swedes vs Italy, as was their practice lines.
Forsberg leads all Swedes in goals in the NHL this season with 24, fifth in points with 47 on the season. His potential omission is marred by who is in the lineup.
Why Pontus Holmberg is drawing confusion from fans
Former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Pontus Holmberg is drawn in as Sweden’s projected fourth line center against Italy, as was the case in practice.
Holmberg, who left Toronto at the end of last season and signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Lightning, has drawn some surprise from some around the league as Forsberg sits.
Many NHL analysts, including Scott Wheeler of ‘The Athletic’, felt that Forsberg belongs on the roster more than Holmberg, and the decision to sit Forsberg made even less sense with Holmberg playing.
Holmberg, 26, is the lowest performing offensive player on the Swedish roster, with just nine goals and 17 points in 48 games for Tampa Bay this season.
Noted when Holmberg made the team was the point that he’s one of the top defensive centers Sweden has, and a strong faceoff taker, his inclusion made some sense for a pure 4C option, and should be noted that Forsberg is primarily a winger.
Going up against a major underdog in the Italian team, Sweden not having Forsberg may not be much of a major difference, although the tournament has already seen an upset as Slovakia surprised Finland with a 4-1 loss earlier today, led by Minnesota Wild prospect Samuel Hlavaj in net making 32 saves in the win.
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