Will Galchenyuk Start on Maple Leafs’ 2nd Line with Tavares & Nylander?

During the Toronto Maple Leafs’ practice on Wednesday, newcomer Alex Galchenyuk was seen practicing on the Maple Leafs’ second line with John Tavares and William Nylander. Is that where he’s going to end up on Friday against the Calgary Flames in the two team’s back-to-back series?

Related: Three Reasons Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas Is Happy with Team Defense

Jimmy Vesey Lost on Waivers to Vancouver Canucks

The Maple Leafs put Jimmy Vesey on waivers yesterday, and surprisingly he was claimed by the Vancouver Canucks. That puts a hole in the team’s forward depth, which is an area that Maple Leafs’ general manager Kyle Dubas had said just yesterday that he would try to shore up with the trade prior to the April 12th trade deadline. In the meantime, is Galchenyuk the person who’ll be taking that job that high in the lineup?

Can Galchenyuk Stay Where He Was in Practice Today: On the Team’s Second Line?

In the video below, you’ll hear Chris Johnston and Shawn McKenzie discuss the arrival of Galchenyuk on the Maple Leafs’ roster.

Galchenyuk Moved Quickly Up the Ladder to the Maple Leafs’ Lineup

Galchenyuk, as it appeared – at least practice on Wednesday – moved straight from the Toronto Marlies to a line with Nylander and Tavares. As Johnston said, that’s quite the jump for Galchenyuk to make. Will he stay that high in the lineup?

Johnston noted that that possibility can’t be ruled out. He found it interesting that Sheldon Keefe says the team still sees Galchenyuk as a player who can produce offence, who can make plays, and who can score goals.

As Johnston reported, there’s no doubt that Galchenyuk is “a long way removed from what he was once upon a time in Montreal;” however, if the Maple Leafs “can possibly give him that opportunity playing with some skill players” they are showing they believe in him. It looks as if the team will give him a chance, based upon the fact of where he was in this practice.

Related: Despite Goaltending Questions, Maple Leafs Unlikely to Make Trade

Where Will Galchenyuk Stay in the Lineup – If at All?

Johnston then outlined Galchenyuk’s time with the Maple Leafs. He was at an arm’s length away and played his first-ever six games in the American Hockey League. Now, as Johnston noted, it now “appears that they’re going to put him somewhere in the lineup.” They might start on that high (on the team’s second line), but they are “not necessarily expecting him to be there full-time.”