Jani Hakanpaa and Connor Dewar are one step closer to making their respective debuts for the Maple Leafs.
The hulking defenceman and depth forward have been assigned to the Toronto Marlies on an LTIR conditioning loan, the Leafs announced on Friday morning.
Hakanpaa is coming off a knee injury, one that has kept him out of game action since March 16 when he was with the Dallas Stars, and Dewar is nearly finished recovering from off-season shoulder surgery.
Both have been practising regularly with the Leafs in recent weeks. Hakanpaa said on Wednesday that he was close to returning, something that was backed up by Leafs coach Craig Berube on Thursday.
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Hakanpaa and Dewar can be with the Marlies for up to six days and three games.
The Marlies’ next game is on Saturday in Cleveland against the Monsters, but their following game is not until next Saturday in Charlotte versus the Checkers.
Leafs general manager Brad Treliving will have to make some roster decisions once Hakanpaa and Dewar are back, as long as there are no further injuries. The Leafs are at the maximum of 23 players on the roster, so two will have to be waived.
On the other hand, Treliving could make another trade after sending defenceman Timothy Liljegren to the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday.
Possibilities for waivers are defencemen Philippe Myers, who has not played in a game this season, and Matt Benning, who was acquired in the Liljegren swap.
Forward Pontus Holmberg could be a waivers candidate as well. The Leafs have little interest in putting Nick Robertson on waivers, as he surely would be claimed.
Winger Calle Jarnkrok (lower body) and defenceman Dakota Mermis (jaw) remain on long-term injured reserve.
The Leafs will practise on Friday the Ford Performance Centre before heading on the road for a back-to-back set in St. Louis on Saturday and Minnesota on Sunday.
X: @koshtorontosun