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Mitch Marner will not be the only rookie making their way to Europe, as Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander will be joining Team Sweden for the upcoming World Championships.
Nylander, who turned 21 years old on Monday, finished in a three-way tie for third place in Leafs scoring with 61 points (22 goals, 39 assists) and had a goal and three assists in six playoff games.
William Nylander - End Of Season - #TMLtalk #Leafs pic.twitter.com/nzVY28AUvQ
— âš ï¸Guy On The Couchâš ï¸ (@6SportsGod1) April 25, 2017
Sweden is Group A of the tournament, which will play the preliminary round in Cologne, Germany. Marner and Team Canada are in Group B, which will play their games at Bercy Arena in Paris beginning on Friday.
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The Toronto Marlies began preparations for the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs at Ricoh Coliseum on Monday and forward Kasperi Kapanen appeared on the ice for the first time since leaving Friday’s 2-1 triple overtime victory against the Albany Devils.
The 20-year-old winger was elbowed by Devils defenseman Seth Helgeson in the first period and did not play the remainder of the game.
“I just got hit in the head in a funny way. It’s hockey and stuff happens.… Kapanen said. “I’m just happy it isn’t anything more severe.…
Kapanen scored 18 goals and 25 assists for the Marlies but missed almost two months with a lower body injury after being checked by Syracuse defenseman Jake Dotchin.
The Marlies went 5-2-1 against the Crunch during the regular season and open the best-of-seven series at Onondaga County War Memorial Arena on Friday night.
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The Maple Leafs will not be the only team looking for help on the blueline this summer and what other teams are willing to deal may drive the prices higher than most would like.
According to Larry Brooks of the New York Post, Tampa Bay Lightning GM Steve Yzerman may use winger Jonathan Drouin in a deal to acquire a top-four defenseman.
Drouin is a restricted free agent and the turmoil caused by his trade request last year may return in negotiations for a new contract.
Brooks indicates that the Anaheim Ducks could be the team that Yzerman will target, with an excess of defensemen and difficulty protecting them in the upcoming expansion draft. Toronto has been a frequent trade partner of the Ducks, which is why the two clubs have been connected if the Leafs decide to shop winger James van Riemsdyk.
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