Update: The Leafs have sent Agostino and Liljegren back to the Marlies, though given there’s a perpetual elevator between the two organizations, that may not be an ongoing move. Whether this augers a return from injury for Andreas Johnsson, we’ll have to see.

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The Toronto Maple Leafs announced this afternoon that they have recalled forward Kenny Agostino and defender Timothy Liljegren.

The injury to Ilya Mikheyev has turned out to be serious, involving a cut to tendon and artery, and he is expected to be out for at least three months. Trevor Moore is out indefinitely with concussion symptoms; this would leave exactly 12 forwards on the roster able to play, including untried rookie centre Adam Brooks. It appears that, at least for today, Brooks is drawing in.

Kenny Agostino has been little-discussed since his free agent signing by fans of the Leafs, but the 27-year-old journeyman is second on the Marlies in points with 26 in as many games. He is a good skater and a reliable player at both ends of the rink; he appeared in 63 NHL games last season between the Montreal Canadiens and the New Jersey Devils, putting up a respectable 24 points. If the Leafs need a fourth-liner on an ongoing basis, Agostino is a credible candidate.

Defender Timothy Liljegren, the Leafs’ first-round pick in 2017, has grown into a steady and responsible right-shooting defender. It seems likely he’s going to get some time on the Leafs’ defence either this season or next, and Jake Muzzin’s broken foot moves Liljegren up the depth chart—but for tonight, it’s Martin Marincin drawing in.

Update: Jake Muzzin’s injury helps clarify why Liljegren was called up, although he will not be playing tonight. Adam Brooks will draw in to the forward line up while Agostino is expected to be a scratch for now.

Roster Shenanigans