Ben Hutton debuts as Sheldon Keefe is resting a lot of the Leafs

Hold onto your hats, everyone, it’s time to rest some of the players and cycle in some of the prospects/depth.

Sheldon Keefe said Muzzin, Rielly, Foligno and Campbell will have "maintenance days" and not play tonight.

Hutton, Liljegren, Engvall and Hutchinson will be in.

David Rittich starts.

— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) April 29, 2021

David Rittich starts with Michael Hutchinson backing up.

The exact configuration of the defence is a mystery for tonight’s game, but Ben Hutton and Timothy Liljegren have played as a pair in practice, so that might just be your third pair. No pressure, TJ Brodie and Justin Holl.

Chances are Pierre Engvall bumps Alexander Kerfoot up to the top six. If this business keeps up, then Adam Brooks might get to play out the season, something that would be both good for him and fun. Sheldon Keefe earlier said he was planning on playing Rasmus Sandin straight through to the end.

In other news, Riley Nash skated today for the first time, and nothing is impossible with the LTIR situation right now, he might play before the regular season is over.

Sheldon Keefe says #Leafs will take lineup decisions "a day at a time, a game at a time" and how players are feeling will dictate those things

— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) April 29, 2021

Bonus content:

Sheldon Keefe is discussing Frederik Andersen.

Sheldon Keefe said they haven't had discussions with Frederik Andersen about potentially playing in the AHL: "I don't know where that's coming from. It just hasn't been coming across my desk."

— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) April 29, 2021

Jonathan Bernier was once sent to the AHL when he’d been playing very poorly. I think it helped him, and his total and utter domination has set the standard for not believing too hard in AHL goalies, but it was very controversial at the time.

Keefe says the immediate goal is still to get Frederik Andersen ready to play an NHL game from where he is, not get there via a conditioning stint with the Marlies (who have a glut of goalies too).

— Lance Hornby (@sunhornby) April 29, 2021

The Marlies sent Ian Scott to ECHL Wichita, but they also now have Veini Vehvilainen on hand as well as some AHL-contracted goalies and Joe Woll.