Leafs’ Berube on Nylander: ‘I’m not sure when he’s going to be on the ice’
The Toronto Maple Leafs will be without one of their most important players again – for a while, this time.
Talking to the media on Monday morning ahead of the team’s home game against the Minnesota Wild, Leafs coach Craig Berube said he isn’t sure when William Nylander will be back on the ice after leaving Thursday’s game against Vegas with an injury.
Berube on William Nylander: "I don't know how long the timeline will be for him. When he feels good enough to get on the ice, and he goes out there and skates, and feels good, I expect him to be back fairly quick then. Until then, I'm not sure when he's going to be on the ice."
“I don’t know how long the timeline will be for him,” Berube said. “When he feels good enough to get on the ice, and he goes out there and skates, and feels good, I expect him to be back fairly quick then. Until then, I’m not sure when he’s going to be on the ice.”
Nylander has already missed significant time due to separate lower-body injuries this year. He missed two early in the season and another six earlier this winter. The Swedish winger didn’t skate against the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday.
Despite that, Nylander has been one of Toronto’s most impactful players. In 37 games, his 17 goals, 31 assists and 48 points have him tied for second on the team in goals and leading the club in both of the other categories.
Additionally, Matthew Knies is a game-time decision with an undisclosed ailment. Knies has been missing practices due to maintenance as of late, and the team has called up Jacob Quillan from the Toronto Marlies as an insurance policy.
“It’s obviously bothering him a lot, for quite some time, and hasn’t really got much better,” Berube said. “Other than whether he gets some breaks, Christmas time, he comes back and feels better. It’s an ongoing issue.”
Toronto enters its game against Minnesota sitting in third place in the Eastern Conference wild-card race with 56 points. The Leafs are just two points behind Boston for first, and one point behind Buffalo for second.