2:30 p.m.: It was an eventful practice for the Maple Leafs, squeezed in between a 6-3 loss at home to Phoenix last night and a Friday game at Buffalo, a destination where Toronto rarely has any success.

Toronto has called up winger Viktor Stalberg from the Marlies and the 23-year-old will be in the lineup against the Sabres.

Coach Ron Wilson said that defenceman Luke Schenn will also be back in uniform tomorrow against the Sabres. He has sat the last three games as a healthy scratch.

And goaltender Jonas Gustavsson, coming off a second heart procedure to correct an irregular heartbeat, will also be dressed as Vesa Toskala's backup. Gustavsson, who missed eight games, may start on Saturday when the Leafs host Boston. Wilson said he won't make that decision until after the Buffalo game.

To make room for Gustavsson, the Leafs have returned goaltender Joey MacDonald to the minors.

"We want to have options," Wilson said of Stalberg's arrival. "We have 12 forwards right now and our team is a little bit tired. We've had so many games and not enough time to practice and I want a little more speed in the lineup, especially with a couple of games this weekend."

Stalberg had a great camp for the Leafs scoring six goals and adding three assists in eight games and stuck with the big club once the season started. But that exhibition game success didn't continue in the regular season. Stalberg played eight games but had just one assist in those outings.

"It's great being back. You know what it takes (to have NHL success) a bit more, I think," said Stalberg. "I think I might be a little more level headed; not get too up or too down on yourself. It's hard to play on team that is losing (as the Leafs were at the start of the season). It's hard to excel as an individual. It's a different atmosphere coming in the locker room now than what it was when I left. I think that'll make things easier."

Stalberg skated as an extra on the fourth line today, moving in and out of drills with Jamal Mayers, Rickard Wallin and Colton Orr. Wilson would not say who will come out of the lineup to make room but it is unlikely Stalberg will skate on the fourth line tomorrow night.

Wilson has questioned Schenn's preparation and focus for games and wanted the 20-year-old to watch some tapes and "reset" his game.

"I would hope he's got a fire lit under his rear end," said Wilson. "We'll spot him until we feel comfortable that he's ready to play. I expect him to have a good game tomorrow night and be more aggressive than he has been and get his feet moving right off the bat."

Schenn feels he benefited from his exile to the press box.

"The game looks a lot different from up top, that's for sure," said Schenn. "You realize, sometimes, how much time you've got. You try watch some of the guys on our team who are playing well and how they get in the shooting lanes on the penalty kill and how they move the puck. Hopefully, I learned. We'll move on and hopefully it'll make me better in the long run."

11:51 a.m.: Viktor Stalberg is on the ice with the Leafs at practice this morning.Stalberg was recalled from the Marlies– the Leafs have had a roster spot open since one became vacant when defencemen Carl Gunarsson was injured (elbow).

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Stalberg, on the fourth line this morning, had eight goals and 13 assists in 19 games with the Marlies, and was a plus-6. He appeared in eight games with the Leafs this season, and posted one assist with a minus-5.

With a file from Mark Zwolinski