When the trade deadline came and went, Kasperi Kapanen breathed a slight sigh of relief that he remained in the Toronto Maple Leafs organization.

It’s not like Kapanen’s name was coming up in trade talk, but he remains the team’s top prospect and you never know what can happen when the organization is this close to a playoff spot.

“I didn’t know what to expect, but I’m happy to be here right now,” said Kapanen on Thursday after a 4-3 Marlies overtime loss to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. “They have a plan for me and I just have to keep working hard.”

When Kapanen is at his best — which has been frequently this season — he has been the best Toronto Marlie. He’s a speedy winger who can score, and also kill penalties. The 20-year-old has 16 goals, 18 assists for 34 points in 34 games.

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“This year is different from last year,” said Kapanen. “I have a lot more confidence. I feel really good about my game. I try to make plays, and help my team win.”

Thursday’s game was his first, however, after seven-week layoff due to a high-ankle sprain which might have derailed chances at a call-up this season.

But a call-up might not have been planned. It’s a remarkable turn of events for the organization that has meant roster stability — more or less — with both the Leafs and the Marlies, certainly compared to last year when 46 different players skated for the Leafs.

Last year, call-ups were plentiful and meant opportunity, with the likes of William Nylander, Connor Brown and Zach Hyman making imprints. Kapanen, a first-round pick in 2014 by the Pittsburgh Penguins and traded to the Leafs in the 2016 deal involving Phil Kessel, got nine games.

This year, call-ups have been rarer, and related more to injury than a tryout, with Frederik Gauthier being the main beneficiary.

“I don’t call the shots,” said Kapanen. “I try to play as well as I can and give them a reason to call me up. It hasn’t happened. That’s fine. I’m sure one day it will happen. Until then, I’m happy to be here with the Marlies.”

The Marlies understand the Leafs are in a very different situation this year compared to last.

“Last year they were in a totally different spot,” said defenceman Andrew Nielsen. “They knew they weren’t going to make the playoffs. When you have the skill they had in the Marlies last year, you want to get those guys (NHL) games.

“When you see guys go up and have success at the NHL level, it shows you the process works. You just have to be patient and take your time and develop your game down here.”

A set Leafs roster has meant a more-or-less set Marlies roster, although injuries have taken a toll and the team finds itself in a battle for a playoff spot after an easy ride to the top last season. Forward Brendan Leipsic—as highly regarded as Kapanen—is skating again himself after missing about six weeks.

It has created a different vibe within the Marlies room.

“It’s a little different. You had a number of guys last year that were waiting for their opportunity and many expected the opportunity to come,” said coach Sheldon Keefe. “Now we’re in it. We fought our way back from being in last place in the division. The playoffs looked like they weren’t going to happen. But we kept fighting and now we’ve got ourselves in a good spot.

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“It’s a different vibe for sure. It has much to do with who we are as a team and where we are in the standings compared to last year.”

Kapanen has noticed it, too.

“Every year the team is going to be a little bit different,” said Kapanen. “We have a good time. We like to joke around. Once the game starts, we bear down and focus. The team has been playing well.”

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