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Is Toronto willing to deal a forward to address their D?;Leafs vs. Flames

January 16, 2020, 1:12 PM ET [861 Comments]
Mike Augello
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The Toronto Maple Leafs hope to build on an impressive offensive performance in a win over New Jersey but face much tougher opposition in the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday. The Flames are in a super tight race in the Pacific Division, where the gap between first place Arizona and fifth place Vegas is three points. With the win over the Devils, Toronto opened up a three-point lead over Florida for third place in the Atlantic, but the Panthers have two games in hand.

The contest will match up some of the best young forwards in the NHL, with Mitch Marner, William Nylander and Auston Matthews of the Leafs and Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan and Matthew Tkachuk of the Flames. Tkachuk, who attracted attention with his battle with Edmonton’s Zach Kassian last weekend, is friendly with both Marner (his linemate with the OHL London Knights) and Matthews (a fellow Arizonian and teammate on the US World Junior squad in 2016), which should make the on-ice dynamic between the trio entertaining.

"(They are) two of the best, not just young offensive players in the league, but probably two of the best offensive players.” Tkachuk said. “It's really fun to watch them."

Frederik Andersen will be in goal for Toronto, while David Rittich (who lost 2-0 in Montreal on Tuesday) will start for the Flames.

Head coach Sheldon Keefe stuck with the same defensive pairings at practice on Wednesday, with rookie Rasmus Sandin paired with veteran Cody Ceci, Travis Dermott alongside Justin Holl, and Martin Marincin with Tyson Barrie, but there could be a change at forward with Trevor Moore on the fourth line with Frederik Gauthier and Jason Spezza.

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Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman shot down some online speculation regarding the Leafs trading 22-year-old prospect Jeremy Bracco to the New York Rangers for backup goalie Alexandar Georgiev.

Toronto may be interested in the 23-year-old Bulgarian to shore up their backup issues, but the Rangers reportedly are looking for an NHL forward for Georgiev, who has been splitting time with Henrik Lundqvist this season.

The Rangers have been using Georgiev heavily to make the case that he is a legitimate future #1 goalie and to get the best possible package in a trade for him, but are now carrying three goalies after recalling former KHLer Igor Shesterkin.

While Bracco is considered a future NHLer and finished second in AHL scoring last season, he has struggled to put the puck in the net this year. with three goals and 26 assists in 47 games. It is more likely that New York would target young forwards in the NHL like Kasperi Kapanen or Andreas Johnsson in a deal, but GM Kyle Dubas’ willingness to part with either in a deal for a backup to Frederik Andersen.

Dubas may be willing to deal either Kapanen or Johnsson in the wake of Pierre Engvall’s recent performance and the return of Trevor Moore to address their shortcomings on defense with both Morgan Rielly and Jake Muzzin out injured.

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