Maple Leafs' William Nylander: Injury not considered serious
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Nylander (undisclosed) avoided any serious injury with coach Craig Berube telling reporters Friday, "He'll be OK. He's fine. Nothing to worry about.", according to Mark Masters of TSN.
Nylander exited Thursday's preseason contest versus Montreal after a collision with a Canadien. The move to take Nylander out of the contest seems more precautionary now after hearing Berube's quotes, which is a great sign for the team and player. Nylander's first year of his new eight-year deal kicks in this season. The 28-year-old had a career-high 98 points in 82 regular-season contests with Toronto in 2023-24.
Maple Leafs' William Nylander: Leaves game Thursday
Rotowire
Nylander sustained an undisclosed injury in the first period of Thursday's preseason game versus the Canadiens and won't return for precautionary reasons.
Nylander collided with a Canadien and appeared to hit his head, though the Maple Leafs did not specify the nature of the 28-year-old's injury. Given the precautionary label, it doesn't appear this will be a long-term concern. Nylander has gotten a look at center this preseason after spending the bulk of his NHL career as a winger.
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Maple Leafs' William Nylander: Starting camp at center
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Nylander will start training camp at center, reports Arun Srinivasan of The Leafs Nation on Wednesday
No surprise here, really. New coach Craig Berube knows that John Tavares will be best served on the third line, and Nylander is a talented player who's willing to take on any challenge. The Leafs have tried Nylander down the middle before, and the experiments never lasted more than a few games because of Willie's defensive challenges. If successful, the Leafs would be able to spread its offense across three lines, making it even harder for opponents to defend their elite talent.
Maple Leafs' William Nylander: Nets goal in Game 7 loss
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Nylander scored a goal on five shots, blocked three shots and added two hits in Saturday's 2-1 overtime loss to the Bruins in Game 7.
Nylander missed three games to begin the series due to a migraine issue, but he showed up late in the first round with three goals over the final two contests. The winger added 18 shots on net, six hits and five blocked shots. While another first-round exit is unfortunate for Toronto, Nylander's future with the team was confirmed when he signed an eight-year contract extension in January. The 28-year-old produced his second straight 40-goal season and finished with a career-high 98 points in 82 regular-season contests, so he should be a solid choice for fantasy managers in the early rounds of drafts in the fall.
Maple Leafs' William Nylander: Scores both goals in win
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Nylander scored twice on five shots, added three hits and blocked two shots in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Bruins in Game 6.
Nylander opened the scoring late in the second period and scored again in the third, which proved to be a valuable insurance tally. The 28-year-old had been held off the scoresheet in his previous two outings after missing the first three games of the playoffs due to an undisclosed issue. He's added 13 shots on net, five hits, four PIM and a plus-2 rating while seeing top-six usage during the postseason.
Maple Leafs' William Nylander: Expected to play Saturday
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Nylander (undisclosed) is likely to play in Saturday's Game 4 against the Bruins, per Chris Johnston of The Athletic.
Nylander's return should provide Toronto's lineup with a major boost as they try to even the series in Game 4. The 27-year-old winger missed the first three games of Toronto's first-round playoff matchup after posting a career-high 98 points (40 goals, 58 assists) in 82 regular-season contests.
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Maple Leafs' William Nylander: Questionable for Saturday
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Nylander (undisclosed) said "I don't know" when asked Friday if he was playing in Game 4 versus Boston on Saturday, Jonas Siegel of The Athletic reports.
Nylander was a full participant at practice Friday, including on the first power play. The Maple Leafs are really missing Nylander, who has sat out the first three games of the series. Nylander ended the regular season with 40 goals and 98 points in 82 games. He should be considered a game-time decision ahead of Saturday's tilt in Toronto.
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Maple Leafs' William Nylander: Not playing Wednesday
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Nylander (undisclosed) is not on the ice for warmups, indicating he won't play in Game 3 versus the Bruins on Wednesday, David Alter of The Hockey News reports.
Nylander has been a game-time call throughout the playoffs, but he'll miss his third straight contest to open the Maple Leafs' first-round series. The 27-year-old's next chance to play is Saturday's Game 4 -- he may benefit from having an extra day to try to shake off the injury.
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Maple Leafs' William Nylander: Could still play Wednesday
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Nylander (undisclosed) hasn't officially been ruled out for Game 3 against Boston on Wednesday after coach Sheldon Keefe told reporters "there's a chance" Nylander plays, Chris Johnston of The Athletic reports.
Nylander stayed on the ice late at morning skate, which would normally signal he won't be ready to jump into the lineup Wednesday. When the 27-year-old forward does return, he will likely slot into a third-line role playing alongside Calle Jarnkrok and Pontus Holmberg. In addition, Nylander figures to be pressed into service on the No. 1 power-play unit upon his return.
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Maple Leafs' William Nylander: Unlikely to play Wednesday
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Nylander (undisclosed) isn't expected to play in Game 3 versus the Bruins on Wednesday, per Mark Masters of TSN.
Nylander joined the Maple Leafs for the morning skate, but he remained on the ice with projected scratch Noah Gregor after the main group left. That suggests Nylander will miss his third straight contest due to the injury. When the 27-year-old is ready to return, he might play on the third line alongside Calle Jarnkrok and Pontus Holmberg as part of Toronto's effort to balance its offense.
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Maple Leafs' William Nylander: Possible for Game 3
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Nylander (undisclosed) is a possibility for Game 3 against Boston on Wednesday, Mark Masters of TSN reports.
Coach Sheldon Keefe was unable to provide a more substantial update Tuesday because it was a travel day for the Maple Leafs. Nylander missed both of Toronto's contests in Boston to begin the playoffs because of an undisclosed injury. Still, it wouldn't be surprising if the 27-year-old forward was a game-time decision for a third straight outing. Nylander produced 40 goals and a career-high 98 points in 82 outings during the 2023-24 regular season.
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Maple Leafs' William Nylander: Out Monday
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Nylander (undisclosed) will not suit up for Game 2 against the Bruins on Monday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.
Nylander was a game-time call, so he at least appears to be close to returning. He dressed in all 82 games during the regular season, racking up 40 goals and a career-high 98 points. Barring a setback, he should have a decent shot at getting back in the lineup for Game 3 on Wednesday.
