Maple Leafs' Connor Brown to debut vs. Panthers

Connor Brown will be the 10th rookie to debut for the Toronto Maple Leafs this season.

The club announced that Brown has been recalled from the Toronto Marlies on an emergency basis, and he's expected to replace Leo Komarov, who's dealing with a lower-body injury, in the lineup Thursday versus the Florida Panthers.

Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock heaped praise onto the 22-year-old before his debut.

"He's obviously got elite hockey sense. He's going to be a good NHL player for a long period of time," said Babcock, according to TSN's Mark Masters.

Brown has nine goals and 15 assists in 28 games in a second professional season that had been interrupted by a significant ankle injury.

He was named to the American Hockey League's All-Rookie Team last season, contributing 21 goals and 61 points.