Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube benched William Nylander for much of the 3rd period on Saturday, explaining the decision after a disappointing loss.

Nylander takes warm-ups, Maccelli sits

Under the weather, Nylander played just 13:46 over two-and-a-half periods, being stapled to the bench for the final six minutes of the third, with the Leafs down 6-2.

Berube calls out Nylander’s effort

Berube was well aware that Nylander wasn’t at full health, but made no excuses for the Swedish native.

“He played tonight. But obviously he wasn’t even close to 75%. I mean, he was sick, but he played. But I didn’t feel there was any reason to keep playing him.”

Everyone is well aware of Nylander’s lack of effort sometimes, but there are instances where he chooses to show no effort at the worst of times.

Nylander snapped a 4-game pointless streak on Thursday, having struggled of late, leading to some speculation that it may be more than an illness that is hindering him. Hopefully after a few days off, Nylander will return, closer to the version that he had shown at the beginning of the season.

Nylander still leads the Maple Leafs in points, but with just 2 assists to show for his efforts over the past couple of weeks, the Leafs need much more out of him.

Previously on Toronto Hockey Daily

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Nylander benched in Leafs’ loss to Oilers and Craig Berube reveals the truth behind the decision

Should Nylander have sat in favour of Maccelli on Saturday?