"The Toronto Maple Leafs will likely have a big hole when they start playing Pre-Season games as it doesn't sound like Mitch Marner is ready to sign a contract yet. Head coach Mike Babcock spoke with reporters and revealed exactly who will fill that role. Babcock said he's ready to plug Kasperi Kapanen beside John Tavares to start the season. Once Marner comes back (if he comes back), Kapanen will head down to what will likely be the team's third line along side Alexander Kerfoot. That means he likely won't get the chance to play with Auston Matthews. Kapanen registered 20 goals in 78 games last year and used that to land a three year contract worth $3.2million a season.
Mike Babcock said he'd like Kasperi Kapanen to eventually play with Alexander Kerfoot, but until Mitch Marner arrives, Kapanen will start with John Tavares and see how that works — Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) September 12, 2019