Toronto Maple Leafs winger Kasperi Kapanen has a concussion and will miss a second straight game on Wednesday night against the visiting Chicago Blackhawks.
The 22-year-old native of Finland was listed as being out for precautionary reasons due to illness on Monday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Leafs announced Kapanen has a concussion on Wednesday morning.
“Kappy’s got great speed, he’s got tremendous work ethic, he’s a real good penalty killer,” Leafs head coach Mike Babcock said after Wednesday’s morning skate. “It affects you, but it’s opportunity, too, for someone else.”
That opportunity falls to William Nylander, who will skate alongside Auston Matthews and Andreas Johnsson for the second game in a row.
Defencemen Jake Gardiner (back) and Travis Dermott (shoulder) remain out.
The Leafs will look to bounce back after falling 6-2 to the Lightning in the opener of a three-game homestand.
Leafs sign defenceman Joseph Duszak to a two-year entry-level contract
The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed defenceman Joseph Duszak to a two-year entry-level contract.
The 21-year-old led NCAA defencemen this season with 47 points (16 goals, 31 assists) in 37 games with Mercyhurst University.
Duszak has 99 points (30 goals, 69 assists) and 98 penalty minutes over 101 NCAA games.
The native of Franklin Square, N.Y., was named to the Atlantic Hockey Association’s all-conference second team last season.
Duszak is expected to join the Toronto Marlies later this week on an AHL try-out basis.