Photo credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs will be without one of their primary offensive catalysts for the immediate future. According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, superstar winger William Nylander is set to miss tonight’s matchup against the Winnipeg Jets and is considered doubtful for Monday’s contest as well.
In a corresponding move to bolster their depth down the middle, the Maple Leafs are expected to recall rookie forward Jacob Quillan from the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. Quillan’s arrival comes at a critical juncture as the team looks to navigate a difficult stretch of the schedule without their leading scorer.
For Nylander, it’s been a tough season in terms of his overall health. This will mark his third stint on the sidelines due to injury this season. Prior to this year, Nylander hadn’t missed a single game in three seasons, and just one game in the last four years.
Surprisingly, though, Nylander has managed to amass a team-leading 48 points in just 37 games. Remarkably, 36 of those points have come at even strength, as just 3 goals and 9 assists came on the power play.
The hope is that Nylander will not miss much time after aggravating the same lower-body that forced him out of six games recently.
Quillan to receive another opportunity with the Maple Leafs with Nylander sidelined
On Jacob Quillan, the rookie forward has been recalled by the team a number of times this season, but has still not received a legitimate shot in the Maple Leafs’ lineup, despite scoring 27 points in 28 games with the Marlies after posting just 37 points in 67 AHL games last season.
After his last stint with the Leafs ended and he was sent back down, he responded by immediately scoring a hat trick in his first game back, perhaps a nudge to management to give him another shot and allow him an opportunity with the big club.
The Leafs have just one game left on their 4-game road trip, owning a 1-1-1 record on the trip heading into Winnipeg. The obvious hope is that the team can make it 2-1-1 on Saturday before they arrive at home for a 5-game homestand.
Previously on Toronto Hockey Daily