Maple Leafs send forward Kasperi Kapanen to Marlies

Jake Gardiner scored the winning goal in overtime and the Toronto Maple Leafs edged the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have sent forward Kasperi Kapanen back to the AHL Marlies according to Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston.

The timing is significant as allowing Kapanen to play in Toronto’s final game (against the New Jersey Devils), would have burned a year off his entry-level contract.

The 19-year-old is being sent down having played nine games with no points in two brief stints with the Leafs this year.

He was acquired from Pittsburgh as part of the blockbuster deal that sent Phil Kessel to the Penguins this past off-season.

The Marlies have five games remaining in their regular season before the Calder Cup playoffs and will host the Lake Erie Monsters Friday night.

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