Edmundson's arrival is not expected until right around gametime.

BOSTON — The Toronto Maple Leafs are not expecting newly-acquired defenseman Joel Edmundson to make his debut on Thursday when the club visits the Boston Bruins at TD Garden.

The 6-foot-5 defenseman was traveling from Pittsburgh where his previous team — the Washington Capitals — is scheduled to play and his arrival in Boston isn't expected until closer to gametime.

However, the Maple Leafs continue to deal with a flu bug, which might make him a late addition.

"We’ve got some game-time decisions here tonight," Keefe explained. "In the event that we end up being shorthanded or undermanned he may make an appearance.:

A flu bug continues to permeate the Maple Leafs locker room. Jake McCabe, who missed Wednesday's 2-1 overtime victory against the Buffalo Sabres, is good to return.

William Lagesson, who would normally be an option to draw in, is on waivers and was placed on the non-roster to accommodate the acquisition of Edmundson. 

If the Leafs have to dress less than 18 skaters, it would make sense for the Leafs to add the newcomer into the lineup and maybe have him come in later in the game.

The flu bug has taken a bite of out most of the Maple Leafs this season, forcing top players Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares and William Nylander among others to miss at least one game.

"We haven't gotten it bad enough yet at one particular time," Keefe said. "It's been two or three guys at a time, it hasn't really run through the entire team. Seems like that's the case and it's getting guys who haven't had it previously."

The Maple Leafs acquired Edmundson earlier in the day from the Capitals for third and fifth-round draft picks.

"He gives us extra size and presence back there," Keefe said of Edmundson. "That’s been something, I think we’d say we’ve been an undersized defense in terms of our length and he adds to that."

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