Brendan Gaunce News

The Penguins are in Winnipeg to take on a heavy Jets team, so Gaunce has been recalled and could draw in on the third pair. The 6-foot-1, 203 lbs. defenseman has two assists in six games with Pittsburgh this season.

The Lightning traded Valtteri Filppula to the Flyers earlier, so McKegg, who was claimed off of waivers from the Panthers, will play tonight. McKegg had four points (2G / 2A) in seven AHL games and six points (3G / 3A) in 31 games with the Panthers before being waived.

McKegg, 24, has three goals and three assists (six points) in 31 games with the Panthers this season. He has also recorded four points (2G / 2A) in seven AHL games and will remain with the Lightning at the NHL-level.

McKegg was in the lineup for the last two games, but will be a healthy scratch for the fifth time in seven games tonight in St. Louis. McKegg will be replaced by Michael Sgarbossa.

McKegg will miss his third straight game tonight and will miss tomorrow’s game as well. Monitor McKegg’s status heading into next week.

McKegg, 24, has registered four points (2G / 2A) in seven games with Springfield this season. In the 19 games he’s played with the Panthers, the former third round pick has two assists.

McKegg has registered 10 goals and 13 assists (23 points) in 47 games with Portland this season. He has appeared in six games with the Panthers, but has failed to record a point in his first 10 career NHL games.

Gaunce had one goal in six games with the Canucks during his call-up, but now he returns to Utica, where he has 33 points (15G / 18A) in 43 games this season.

Gaunce, 21, was the Canucks first round pick (26th overall) in 2012. The 6-foot-2, 205 lbs. winger will make his NHL debut on Thursday after scoring one goal with one assist in five games with Utica prior to his call-up. He will skate on the fourth line with Jared McCann and Derek Dorsett.

Gaunce, 21, had one goal and one assist in five games with Utica this season. With Brandon Prust out for at least the next two games, Gaunce has been recalled and could make his NHL debut on the road-trip.

McKegg, 23, has not registered a point in four career NHL games with the Maple Leafs. The 2010 third round pick (62nd overall) had 22 goals and 15 assists (37 points) in 62 games with the Toronto Marlies (AHL) last season.

McKegg had one hit and one blocked shot in 11:56 TOI in last night’s loss to the Panthers.

The Maple Leafs have a number of injuries upfront so McKegg should be in the lineup on Thursday. McKegg has no points in three career NHL games and has registered 17 goals and 14 assists (31 points) in 51 games with the Marlies this season.