For the Toronto Maple Leafs it appears as though reinforcements are on the way in the form of Phil Kessel, however the date of his exact return remains up in the air.
The team is hoping that their prized acquisition can make his Maple Leafs debut as soon as next Tuesday's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, however Kessel was hoping to make his return sooner than that.
The 21-year old has been champing at the bit to return to action as he has yet to play a game this season after undergoing off-season rotator cuff and labrum surgery.
"I feel pretty good," Kessel stated following practice. "But until I get out there and play in a game I have no idea how I'll be out there."
Kessel stated at practice Friday that he had hoped to make his return in this evening's game against the Sabres, however he has yet to receive clearance from the team's medical staff. He remained on the ice for more than a half-hour after the Leafs' morning practice ended, skating with likely fellow scratches Jamal Mayers and Jeff Finger.
While he is eager to get a chance to prove his worth to the team, he understands the cautious approach.
"Obviously you don't want to come back too early and re-injure it," Kessel said. "I don't want to be out another six months so I'm going to take my time and whenever (the team doctors) clear me and say I'm ready to go, I'll be ready."
When he finally does get clearance, the Madison, Wisconsin native should add some punch to a lineup in desperate need of firepower. Only the Florida Panthers have scored fewer than the collective 24 goals scored by the Maple Leafs this season. Kessel found the back of the net 36 times in 70 games for the Bruins last year. To put that in perspective, Jason Blake led the Leafs last season with 25 goals.
The Maple Leafs will be looking for some immediate return on their substantial investment. To acquire Kessel the Leafs were forced to ship two first round and a second round pick to the Bruins. Should the Maple Leafs remain in their current position of dead last in the league, Boston would have a very good shot at the first overall selection in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. The two top prospects are Windsor Spitfires' teammates Taylor Hall and Cam Fowler.
While Kessel has been skating on a line with Jamal Mayers and Jay Rosehill at practice, when he returns he is expected to skate on the top line with likely Blake and Matt Stajan.