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Zaitsev, Andersen, McElhinney, Kapanen likely off to World Championships

Photo credit: © John E. Sokolowski - USA Today

By TLN Staff

Apr 27, 2018, 12:10 EDTUpdated: Apr 27, 2018, 13:31 EDT

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It’s always nice for some extra hockey involving Leafs’ players, even if it comes at the end of a tiring season.

Today, the intentions of two separate Leafs heading off to the World Championships were announced:

Chris Johnston

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Frederik Andersen tells TV2 in Denmark that he wants to play in the IIHF World Hockey Championship. It’s being held on home ice in Copenhagen.

Jimmy Boejgaard

@jimmyboejgaard

Frederik Andersen til @TV2SPORTdk : "Jeg vil gerne spille VM med drengene." Afklaring ventes i dag. #isdk #nhldk sport.tv2.dk/ishockey/2018-…

12:49 PM · Apr 27, 2018

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Chris Johnston

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Nikita Zaitsev is expected to join the Russian national team ahead of the world championship — assuming he’s cleared from season-ending medicals by #leafs.

12:54 PM · Apr 27, 2018

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The Championships get underway on May 4. Sweden is the defending champion, defeating Canada in a shootout in the final last year. Meanwhile, Auston Matthews said he’d be skipping the championships for the second year in a row, after putting on a show in his draft year in 2016.

No word yet on William Nylander and Mitch Marner, who both were at the Championship last year. Morgan Rielly, James van Riemsdyk, Nazem Kadri, Ron Hainsey, Leo Komarov, and Roman Polak have all played in the past, but there’s also no clear signs any of them will be making a return.

Update: