Morning Skate: What to watch for in hockey today

Craig Custance, Sporting News Kessel could debut Assuming he passes a few last tests on his surgically repaired shoulder, Phil Kessel is expected to make his long-awaited Toronto Maple Leafs debut tonight against the Tampa Bay Lightning. They need him. "He's an opportunistic player. He's a good skater, he's got good speed. He'll do well there," Kessel's former teammate Mark Recchi told Sporting News. "I don't know who he'll play with, but you get him a centerman who gets him the puck and he can play." According to the Toronto Star, that center will be Matt Stajan, although head coach Ron Wilson told the paper that nothing is locked in. "It's a big experiment for now," Wilson said. "We'll see how it goes, game by game, shift by shift." Rare homecoming for Thomas It's been a few years since Boston goalie Tim Thomas played in his home state of Michigan and the ticket demands this time around are ... (link)