The Maple Leafs have returned goaltender Antoine Bibeau to the Toronto Marlies of the AHL after being recalled on an emergency basis to replace injured goalie Jonathan Bernier.
Bernier took part in practice on Wednesday and is expected to be activated from injured reserve prior to the Leafs next game in Nashville on Thursday.
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Interpreting the importance of whether a scout watching a game or a particular team is an inexact science. It could be the precursor of an impending deal or it could be compiling information down the line.
An example of this occurred last month, when Leafs scout Bryan Stewart was among eight NHL team representatives at the Columbus Blue Jackets-NY Islanders game.
At the time, Columbus GM Jarmo Kekalainen was reportedly looking to add a defenseman to bolster the Jackets blueline, but opted to fire head coach Todd Richards and hire John Tortorella instead a shakeup roster move.
The fact that a deal did not happen does not rule out the possibility that it will happen later in the season, but whether the Leafs will be involved is unclear.
A Columbus scout was seen at Ricoh Coliseum for the Marlies-Syracuse Crunch game on October 28. This was during the time that defenseman Frank Corrado was on a conditioning stint with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies.
The 22-year-old blueliner has not played since being claimed off of waivers from Vancouver on October 6 or after a 14-day stay with the Marlies, so it is possible that the Blue Jackets may have interest in the Toronto native, but that same Columbus scout was seen at the Tampa Bay Lightning(Syracuse’s parent club)-Nashville Predators game days before visiting Toronto.
Does that mean a trade between Tampa Bay and Columbus is more likely or a swap between Columbus and Toronto?
On Tuesday, a Leafs pro scout was spotted at the Avalanche-Flyers game in Philadelphia by Hockeybuzz contributor Russ Cohen.
Both teams are off to bad starts and could be ready to make roster changes as the unofficial American Thanksgiving starting line for trades fast approaches.
The Avalanche won 4-0 over the Flyers, with Matt Duchene scoring a pair of goals. Duchene has been shifted from center to wing and has a club-low -6 plus/minus rating, which has prompted some speculation that the 24-year-old former lottery pick could be available.
The Leafs recent improved play will likely not be a factor in whether GM Lou Lamoriello makes a significant transaction in the near future, the only consideration will be if Toronto gets the best player in the deal. With the organization moving nearly a dozen former Burke/Nonis acquisitions or draftees since the end of last season, no player expect defenseman Morgan Rielly can be ruled out.
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Marlies Update
Leafs prospect Kasperi Kapanen will likely not travel with the Toronto Marlies for the second leg of their seven-game road trip in St. Johns this weekend, as the 19-year-old is out with a back injury.
“He’s still day-to-day,… said Marlies coach Sheldon Keefe to reporter Kyle Cicerella . ““Little bit of back issues, and some spasms. Just bumps and bruises, nothing too serious, just needs a little time.…
The speedy Finn has four goals in nine games for the Leafs AHL affiliate, who are 10-3-0 on the season.
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The forgotten man in the Leafs blueline mix is Petter Granberg, who has been inactive since suffering a torn Achilles last July. The 23-year-old has been skating at the MasterCard Center for weeks, but as reported by Sportsnet’s Damien Cox, the big Swede participated in his first full practice on Tuesday.
Marlies coach Sheldon Keefe indicated that Granberg will accompany the team to Newfoundland this weekend and take part in team activities, but will not be ready for game action for some time.
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