Maple Leafs announce roster moves

Statement from the Maple Leafs website.

William Nylander

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Monday that the club has recalled forwards William Nylander, Kasperi Kapanen, Nikita Soshnikov, Zach Hyman, and Ben Smith from the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League (AHL). In addition, forwards Mark Arcobello, Brendan Leipsic and Josh Leivo were loaned to the Marlies.

Nylander, 19, has skated in 37 regular season games with the Marlies this season and ranks tied for ninth in league scoring with 45 points (18 goals, 27 assists). The 19-year-old was one of three Marlies players selected to skate in the 2016 AHL All-Star Game. Nylander was drafted by Toronto in the 1st round (8th overall) during the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

Kapanen has played in 32 games with the Marlies, recording eight goals and 14 assists for 22 points. The 19-year-old recorded the game-winning overtime goal for his native Finland as they defeated Russia to capture the 2016 World Junior Hockey Championship. Kapanen, who was acquired via trade from Pittsburgh in July 2015, was drafted by the Penguins in the 1st round (22nd overall) during the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

Soshnikov has skated in 50 regular season games with the Marlies this season, registering 28 points (18 goals, 10 assists). The 22-year-old, who is tied for third with the Marlies in goals, was signed as a free agent by Toronto in March 2015.

Hyman has played in 54 games for the Marlies this season, recording 13 goals and 20 assists for 33 points. The 23-year-old was named the University of Michigan’s Athlete of the Year in his senior year (2014-15) while also being named a First Team All-American and a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award.

Hyman, who was acquired via trade from Florida in June 2015, was drafted by the Panthers in the 5th round (123rd overall) during the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

Smith, 27, was acquired via trade from San Jose on February 27. He has split this season between the Sharks and Barracuda. The Avon, Connecticut native has skated in six games with the Sharks this season. In 14 games with the Barracuda, he has collected 10 points (eight goals, two assists). In 181 NHL games between San Jose and the Chicago Blackhawks, Smith has recorded 25 goals and 19 assists for 44 career points. He was originally selected by Chicago in the sixth round (169th overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

The Maple Leafs return to the ice tonight at 7:30 p.m. when they host the Tampa Bay Lightning at Air Canada Centre.