5:30 p.m.: The Maple Leafs have sent Viktor Stalberg to the AHL Marlies after the rookie from Sweden played just eight games with the NHL club.

Stalberg, 23, had one assist and two penalty minutes with the Leafs.

Called up from the Marlies was Jiri Tlusty, 21. The Czech native had four assists in 14 games with the Leafs last season.

Goalie Joey MacDonald was returned to the Marlies after the Leafs activated goalie Vesa Toskala from the injured reserve list.

4 p.m.: Leafs coach Ron Wilson said "there's a good chance" injured sniper Phil Kessel will make his much anticipated Leafs debut Tuesday when the club plays on home ice against Tampa.

"There's a good chance of it, yeah," Wilson said as the Leafs wrapped up practice Thursday at the Pepsi Center in Amherst, near the University of Buffalo.

Kessel's arrival with the Leafs has been nothing short of sensational ever since the club traded away a boatload of draft picks in September to acquire him from Boston.

His debut has been hanging in the air while he recovers from off-season surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff and labrum in his left shoulder.

Kessel himself was somewhat unsure if Tuesday would be the day for his return.

"I don't know yet, it's (five) days away, so I'll see how I feel," Kessel said.

Kessel has been practicing with the club at full tempo for over three weeks now.

He has yet to receive clearance to play in a game. But he says he has received clearance for full physical contact in practice.

"Yeah, I've been cleared for that for a week now," Kessel said.

There has been no indication at practice as to how the Leafs will go in terms of lines once Kessel is returned to the active roster.

It appears Wilson is leaning toward Jason Blake as a winger on Kessel's line. An ideal set up man at centre could be Matt Stajan.

In the meantime, Wilson said Toskala will backup tomorrow's game against Buffalo (Jonas Gustavsson to start).

Toskala has been on the injured (knee) ever since a collision in the goal crease with New York Rangers forward Chris Drury two weeks ago.

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Toskala is expected to start Saturday in Montreal when the Leafs wrap up a five game road trip against the Habs. It's not likely Gustavsson will be given back-to-back games. The rookie Swede has had a trying start to the season, having recovered from a minor heart condition and a groin injury.

3 p.m.: Leafs are on the ice at the Pepsi Centre in Amherst, on the border of the University of Buffalo. Lines remain the same from last night's game in Dallas.

Three goalies remain with the team – Jonas Gustavsson, Vesa Toskala, and Joey MacDonald. Toskala, who has been out for almost two weeks now with a knee injury, looks like he is getting ready for this weekend. No official word yet, but the Leafs may be looking to get him into Saturday's game vs. Montreal. The Leafs play in Buffalo Friday night, and Gustavsson is expected to be in goal.

Lines at practice:

Ponikarovsky-Grabovski-Hagman

Stalberg-Stajan-Stempniak

Blake-Mitchell-Kulemin

Orr-Primeau-Wallin

Extras:

Mayers-Kessel-Rosehill

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