TORONTO — Two months of bag skates. Two months of flights, hotels and pre-game meetings for games that Frankie Corrado wouldn’t get the chance to play.

And now, after all of that waiting and a little bit of wondering, he finally gets the chance to suit up for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

As far as debuts go, this one is certainly unique. Corrado was claimed off waivers from Vancouver on Oct. 6 and has been watching the team play ever since — save for a two-week conditioning stint with AHL’s Marlies.

That left plenty of time to contemplate the possibility he might again find himself on waivers before even playing for his hometown team, but Corrado managed to avoid that trap.

“It didn’t really (enter my mind) because (coach Mike Babcock) and (GM) Lou (Lamiorello) had told me there was a plan for me,” Corrado said before Tuesday’s game against Tampa Bay. “I don’t think that plan would have been to just pick me up for nothing and then just put me back on waivers for no reason. Throughout the whole time I knew something was going to happen.

“There was always communication with them: ‘stay ready, stay in it.”

The biggest challenge will be keeping the moment from getting the best of him. There’s a reason why Corrado said his goal was to “just kind of shut the mind down and play the game.”

After so much build-up and with 40 or 50 friends and family in the stands, it would be natural for him to try and force the issue.

In addition to the long layoff, he’ll be playing out of position on the left side of a defensive pairing with Roman Polak. It’s hardly an ideal situation to make a strong impression and there’s no guarantee he’ll get a chance to play Thursday against San Jose.

Even though Babcock has been reluctant to dress Corrado, he’s been impressed by his attitude during the long string of scratches.

“He’s a great kid, honest, works hard every day, has gotten a lot stronger since he’s been here, wants to be a player,” said Babcock. “We haven’t given him any opportunity. He’s got an opportunity now. Let’s see how he does.”

Corrado managed to get in 28 regular-season games with the Canucks over the past three years and another four during the 2013 playoffs. When Ben Hutton edged him out for the last roster spot in training camp, Vancouver put him on waivers with the intention of sending him to the AHL.

During an interview with TSN 1040 last week, Canucks GM Jim Benning said “I’ve been watching what’s going on with him in Toronto” and acknowledged that he would “look at things” if Corrado ever came available.

The player, however, isn’t concerned about the view from Vancouver any longer.

“I’m not going to comment on that,” said Corrado. “They can say what they want; I’m not there anymore. They made their decision and that’s fine with me. It’s my job here just to prove to everyone the player I can be here.

“I’m not going to talk about that.”

No, Corrado’s focus is entirely on the here and now.

He grew up just north of the city in Woodbridge and beamed while talking about what it’s going to be like to finally pull on a blue and white sweater for real.

“Hometown kid, playing for the Leafs tonight, it’s a dream come true,” said Corrado. “There’s not much else to it. I’m going to put the headphones on, put some music on and walk over here tonight. It’s going to be a great feeling.

“I just want it to continue throughout the game and after the game as well.”