Maple Leafs D Petter Granberg will make NHL debut in last game of season
Defenseman Petter Granberg is set to make his NHL debut in the Maple Leafs' final game of the season after salary cap issues prevented him from joining the lineup on Toronto's Florida road trip.
Carlyle confirms Granberg makes NHL debut tonight; one of Gunnarsson, Ranger likely to sit with both nursing injuries
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) April 12, 2014
Granberg, who will wear No. 26 for the Maple Leafs when they visit the Ottawa Senators on Saturday, was originally supposed to make his debut on Thursday against the Florida Panthers, but his appearance would have violated the salary cap.
With cap issues out of the way, the 21-year-old blue-liner will provide some relief for Toronto's depleted defense corps. He could take the place of fellow Swede Carl Gunnarsson, who has been dealing with a hip injury.
The Maple Leafs also recalled Peter Holland for Saturday's game, which must have made for an interesting car ride to Canadian Tire Centre:
Peter Holland and Petter Granberg drove four hours from Syracuse to Ottawa after getting called up for tonight's game.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) April 12, 2014
Granberg was selected in the fourth round of the 2010 NHL Draft and played for Skelleftea in the Swedish Elite League until this season, when he joined the Toronto Marlies.