For the latest Leafs updates or Follow @mikeinbuffalo on Twitter The first match between the Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Islanders was supposed to be focused on the first time that John Tavares played against the team that he led for nine years, Hall of Fame GM Lou Lamoriello coming back to Toronto to see the team that he was partially responsible for building, or to a lesser extent the return of the popular Leo Komarov and Matt Martin, but that narrative has taken a backseat to the health of goaltender Frederik Andersen, who will not be in the lineup on Saturday due to a groin injury. Andersen is listed as day-to-day and goaltender Kasimir Kaskisuo (3-5-0, 4.12 GAA, .866 save percentage in 11 AHL games) has been brought up on emergency recall from the Toronto Marlies and the Leafs have also acquired netminder Michael Hutchinson from the Florida Panthers for a 2020 fifth round pick.
Kasimir Kaskisuo taking shots this morning at Scotiabank Place. Called up this morning by the Leafs because Frederik Andersen is day to day with a groin injury pic.twitter.com/vKeWxzIGQT
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) December 29, 2018
"There was nothing to have red lights going on (on Andersen's status before the Christmas break)whatsoever," Babcock said. "He was fine at practice (on Thursday), the next day at the morning skate, he didn't feel good."
Hutchinson spent most of his career as a backup with the Winnipeg Jets before signing a one-year, $1.3 Million contract with the Florida Panthers last summer. The 28-year-old played four games with Florida this season when starter Roberto Luongo out injured and was with the Panthers AHL affiliate in Springfield, MA. The trade is a prudent acquisition by GM Kyle Dubas, especially in advance of a prognosis on Andersen’s injury. The cost of a fifth round pick is reasonable, Hutchinson has 108 games of NHL experience and can provide some stability in net for the AHL Marlies (who have struggled with Kaskisuo and Eamon McAdam all season) or the Leafs, and most of his salary will not impact the Leafs salary cap since he is in the American Hockey League. Garret Sparks allowed a questionable goal to Nick Foligno in the first period, but settled down and played well in a 27 save effort in the Leafs 4-2 victory on Friday and will go on back-to-back nights.
"That's what life's about, earning opportunity." Babcock said. "When you get an opportunity, you want to do good things with that opportunity. The ball is in (Sparks) court."