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UPDATE - The Leafs have recalled Kasperi Kapanen from the Toronto Marlies. Kapanen played on Saturday for the Marlies and had a pair of assists in a 4-2 win over Syracuse.
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The Toronto Maple Leafs will be a busy bunch after a brief All-Star weekend respite, as they begin a stretch of five games in eight nights with a back-to-back against New York based clubs.
The Leafs face John Tavares and the Islanders for the first time at Air Canada Centre on Wednesday and travel to Manhattan to take on the Rangers on Thursday.
After being placed on injured reserve last week, defenseman Morgan Rielly is eligible to return to the roster on Monday. Rielly leads Toronto in defensive scoring with 31 points (5 goals, 26 assists) and has missed four games after falling awkwardly in Philadelphia on January 18, but the injury was described as not being serious in nature by head coach Mike Babcock.
Auston Matthews is an all star. pic.twitter.com/49qsC6CL4U
— Flintor (@TheFlintor) January 28, 2018
Nikita Zaitsev, who had the cast removed from his broken foot last week, is expected to resume skating on Monday according to TSN’s Darren Dreger. Zaitsev has missed 17 games since the injury against Detroit in mid-December and his return to the lineup depends on how he reacts to getting back on the ice.
Assuming that Zaitsev returns in early February, the Leafs will have to make a decision on who to send down to the American Hockey League. Veteran Roman Polak will stay in the lineup since he provides toughness and experience and Connor Carrick has stepped up his game with increased minutes and more responsibilities in the absence of Rielly and Zaitsev.
Rookies Andreas Borgman and Travis Dermott are both exempt from waivers and one of them is likely to be sent to the Toronto Marlies to play regularly unless Babcock keeps them in the starting lineup.
is it a goal, @AM34?? pic.twitter.com/Wot2dYKGKp
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) January 28, 2018
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The Maple Leafs are overstocked at forward, with Kasperi Kapanen, Josh Leivo and Nikita Soshnikov continuing to be caught in the numbers game and unable to get regular playing time in the NHL, but for those who are following the Toronto Marlies, it is more apparent that speedy Andreas Johnsson belongs in that group and is another prospect that should be given consideration at training camp next September.
A top shelf shot from Andreas Johnsson.#MarliesLive #AHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/Mg0ReJsfEv
— Toronto Marlies (@TorontoMarlies) January 29, 2018
The 23-year-old winger scored a hat trick in a 4-2 victory over Syracuse on Saturday, giving the former SHL Rookie of the Year the 20 goals (tied for 3rd in the AHL) in 39 games and was named to replace Kapanen for the AHL All-Star Classic in Utica on Monday.
Johnsson’s entry-level contract expires at the end of this season, but still has a year of waiver exemption remaining.
With winger Carl Grundstrom likely coming to North America this summer to join the growing group of forwards vying for spots on the Leafs roster next September, this could have an impact on whether the Leafs choose to re-sign James van Riemsdyk and Leo Komarov. It also could persuade GM Lou Lamoriello to use this area of strength to reinforce the organization at center (where they have little or no depth) or as part of a package for an experienced blueliner.
The Johnsson-Kapanen connection struck again as Johnsson finished off his first career @TheAHL hat trick. All three goals came in the second period.#MarliesLive pic.twitter.com/SeaSLkvDVe
— Toronto Marlies (@TorontoMarlies) January 28, 2018
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