I read it he meant that near the Pole, way less than 100% ice concentration is much more likely to happen - initially, - not because of melt ponding, but mainly because of "de-compaction" - open water leads opening 1st, significant melt-ponding 2nd.
If that was the point, then i have just one thing to say: past experiences of the sort are much subject to uncertainty this season, because of much unique situation, promptly mentioned by Neven's recent post as "couldn't imagine worse conditions for this time of the year". I just can't even guess if the above point would hold true or not "this time". One thing for certain, though, is that weather / winds will play crucial role in this sense. And we don't know what winds we'll see some month+ from now on, i recon. So, probably just gotta sit and watch - which ultimately is the conclusion of said Neven's post, as well; that, i sure agree with. We gotta.