Toronto Maple Leafs News

This could very well just be a paper transaction to save some cap space, as the Wild don't play again until Thursday. Mermis has two goals and three assists in 14 games with the Wild this season.

Bobrovsky and Anthony Stolarz have split starts over the last four games for the Panthers, but Bobrovsky will start consecutive games for the first time in nearly two weeks on Friday. On Wednesday, Bobrovsky held on, saving 29 of 33 shots (.879 SV%) in a 5-4 victory over the Dallas Stars, giving him three straight wins and posting a stellar .933 SV% in the process. The Panthers are sizeable -157 home favourites against a Pittsburgh Penguins team that has lost three straight (0-1-2), scoring only five goals in that span.

Joel Armia is expected to be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Pezzetta to re-enter the Canadiens' lineup. Pezzetta has not played since November 25th and had only one point (0G / 1A) in his last eight games.

Bobrovsky will take the crease Wednesday after backing up two of the Panthers' last three games and will look to build off his personal two-game winning streak after a 21 save (.955 SV%) victory in his last start. The 35-year-old has been the model of consistency this season, with his 11-6-1 record, 2.41 GAA and .912 SV%. He will take on the Dallas Stars, who are in a bit of a funk having lost four of their last six but are still seventh in the NHL in goals per game (3.39).

Lorentz has a goal, two assists, 11 SOG, four PIMs and a -3 plus/minus in 19 game in his first season in Florida but will be a healthy scratch Wednesday vs. Dallas. The 27-year-old Kitchener native will be replaced by Jonah Gadjovich, who will enter the Panthers' fourth line.

Lettieri has seen his ice-time plummet, including several healthy scratches since John Hynes has taken over as the head coach of the Minnesota Wild. Before the coaching change, Lettieri averaged 11:04 time-on-ice, nearly two and a half minutes more than the 8:48 he has averaged since. In a corresponding move, Minnesota has recalled Dakota Mermis from Iowa (AHL).

Vinni Lettieri has been reassigned to the Iowa Wild (AHL) in favour of 29-year-old journeyman Mermis. Mermis spent 13 games wild Minnesota earlier this season, scoring five points (2G / 3A) and 21 penalty minutes.