Breaking: Injuries force Leafs to make another move in goal

The Toronto Maple Leafs have officially recalled goaltenders Michael Hutchinson and Kasimir Kaskisuo from the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. 

In a corresponding move, the team announced that starter Frederik Andersen has been placed on injured reserve and backup Garret Sparks will not dress for tonight’s game against the Minnesota Wild due to a suspected concussion. 

According to NHL insider Pierre LeBrun, Sparks took a shot to the mask in practice yesterday. 

Read below for the full press release from today’s transactions courtesy of the Leafs’ official website:

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that the club has recalled goaltenders Michael Hutchinson and Kasimir Kaskisuo from the Toronto Marlies (AHL) on an emergency basis. The club also announced that Frederik Andersen has been placed on the injured reserve list (retroactive to December 23) while Garret Sparks is being withheld from competition for precautionary reasons on Thursday and is being evaluated under the concussion protocol following Wednesday's practice.

Hutchinson, 28, made his Marlies debut on December 31 and stopped 31 shots to earn a 5-4 win in overtime against the Charlotte Checkers. The Barrie, Ontario native has also appeared in four games with the Florida Panthers this season, in addition to eight games with the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL). Prior to joining the Panthers organization, Hutchinson appeared in 102 games for the Winnipeg Jets from 2013-18 where he had a 43-39-11 record, a .910 save percentage and a 2.65 goals-against average. As a member of the Manitoba Moose (AHL) in 2017-18, he was selected to the AHL's Second All-Star Team and participated in the 2018 AHL All-Star Classic. Hutchinson was originally acquired by the Maple Leafs in a trade with Florida on December 29, 2018.

Kaskisuo, 25, is 3-5-1 in 11 appearances with the Marlies this season with a 4.12 goals-against average and an .866 save percentage. He split his 2017-18 AHL season between the Marlies and Chicago Wolves (AHL). In 28 regular season appearances with Chicago, he posted a 13-13-2 record alongside a 2.38 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage. In 49 career AHL games, Kaskisuo is 23-19-4 with a 2.63 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage. Kaskisuo was originally signed by the Maple Leafs to an entry level contract on March 28, 2016.

The Maple Leafs return to action this afternoon when they host the Minnesota Wild at Scotiabank Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 2 p.m.