Phil Kessel will make his season and Maple
Leafs debut on Tuesday when Toronto hosts Tampa Bay.
Kessel, who was dealt from the Boston Bruins in the offseason in exchange for
three draft picks, has missed the first 12 games of the year after recovering
from rotator cuff surgery.
"Everything went good, so I'm cleared to play. I'll be in there tonight."
Kessel said after practice. "We have a couple of fast lines so we have to make
sure we use it. It'll be my first time together with whoever I'm paired."
The fifth-overall pick of Boston in the 2006 draft, Kessel turned in career
highs with 36 goals and 60 points in 72 games last season.
Toronto has struggled mightily in his absence, sporting the worst record in
the NHL at 1-7-4 and tallying only 30 goals in 12 contests.
©2009 Sports Network. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
