Maple Leafs claim Panik off waivers from Lightning

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Thursday they have claimed forward Richard Panik off waivers from the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Panik, 23, has eight goals and 22 points in 75 games over parts of two seasons with the Lightning, who selected him in the second round (No. 52) of the 2009 NHL Draft.

"It's going to be a great motivation for me to play in front of those fans and just bring my A-game every night," Panik said Thursday, according to Canadian Press. "There's a lot more pressure going there because it's Canada and especially Toronto. I'm just going to focus on my game, and my next step is getting into the lineup and go from there."

The Maple Leafs assigned forwards Troy Bodie and Josh Leivo to the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League in a corresponding roster move.