TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed forward Pontus Holmberg to a two-year contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $1.55 million, vice president and general manager Julien BriseBois announced today.
Holmberg, 26, appeared in 68 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2024–25 season, tallying seven goals and 19 points while averaging 12:40 of ice time per game. The 6-foot, 201-pound Swedish forward has played in 159 career NHL games, all with Toronto, registering 19 goals, 49 points, and a +15 rating.
In postseason play, Holmberg has skated in 19 Stanley Cup Playoff games, contributing one assist and 17 shots on goal while averaging 12:20 TOI.
A native of Västerås, Sweden, Holmberg made his NHL debut on November 2, 2022, against the Philadelphia Flyers. He recorded his first NHL point—an assist—on November 15, 2022, versus Pittsburgh, and scored his first career goal just four games later, a game-winner in a 2–1 victory over the New Jersey Devils on November 23, 2022.
Internationally, Holmberg has represented Team Sweden at multiple events, including the 2022 Winter Olympics, where he posted two assists in six games. Most recently, he helped Sweden capture the bronze medal at the 2024 IIHF Men’s World Championship, finishing with six assists in 10 games, tied for second among Swedish forwards.
Before joining the NHL, Holmberg starred in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) with Växjö Lakers HC, where he led the team to a 2021 SHL Championship. He dominated the playoffs with seven goals and 14 points in 14 games, earning the Stefan Liv Memorial Trophy as playoff MVP and being named Swedish Forward of the Year. Over 192 career SHL games, he recorded 30 goals, 91 points, and a +32 rating.
Holmberg was originally selected by the Maple Leafs in the sixth round (156th overall) of the 2018 NHL Draft.
