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Posted: **Thu Oct 25, 2007 1:38 am**

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2007/10/ ... be_strain/

Jiri Tlusty will make his NHL debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs against the Penguins in Pittsburgh on Thursday night.

The plan is to have a look at the 19-year-old Czech forward alongside Nik Antropov.

Tlusty had an unspectacular goal and two assists in five AHL games but Ferguson and Maurice are making changes -- they'd recently summoned forward Simon Gamache and defenceman Anton Stralman from the Marlies -- because of injuries and unhappiness about getting only nine of a possible 20 points while playing eight of their first 10 games at home.

Tlusty was Toronto's first pick, 13th overall, in the 2006 entry draft. Last season, he had 13 goals and 21 assists in 37 OHL games with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

"He skates and handles the puck and thinks the game real well," said Maurice.

Posted: **Thu Oct 25, 2007 9:15 pm**

He's not ready, but I suppose it's worth a try.

Posted: **Fri Oct 26, 2007 1:52 am**

2 GOALS! I knew that our prospects couldn't play worse then some of the dead weight out there. Good call. Can't wait till Welly and Coli are back in the line-up.

Posted: **Fri Oct 26, 2007 3:35 am**

Crowned wrote:He's not ready, but I suppose it's worth a try.

I thought not before the season, but only because I thought he wasn't "physically tough enough", not because I didn't see flashes of the talent.

I REALLY liked him in the corners today. He created turnovers and cycled the puck beautifully. He is able to shield the puck for long periods of time, and he knows how to get to the spots on the ice to score.

If he plays as tough physically as he did today--look out.

Posted: **Fri Oct 26, 2007 10:58 pm**

i personally loved jiri in preseason, think he's arguably the best spect we have right now

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Jiri Tlusty will make his NHL Debut tomorrow night

Jiri Tlusty will make his NHL Debut tomorrow night