Photo credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, the Maple Leafs could find themselves with a best-case scenario when it comes to a return for William Nylander.
It’s been awhile since the Maple Leafs have seen their leading scorer William Nylander on the ice. Injured during a game vs. Vegas on Jan. 16 while celebrating a goal, he’s been on the shelf during Toronto’s losing skid.
Nylander could return sooner than later for Maple Leafs
But now it’s a question of when he is going to return. We heard reports the team was hoping for this upcoming weekend though they hope it’s a bit earlier.
And now we can confirm that there could be a best-case scenario for Nylander and the Maple Leafs, at least according to TSN’s Darren Dreger.
Dreger went more in depth about Nylander’s return status and explained that one of the reasons the forward gestured to the camera on Sunday was due to his frustration at not playing:
Well, we have an idea, but there’s no guarantee and the hope is that William Nylander would be able to return as early as Seattle. So that is Thursday.
The fact that he’s been on the ice is a step in the right direction. We know that he aggravated a groin issue and that takes time to settle down and to heal. But skating is a big part of the process of getting him back into the Toronto Maple Leafs’ lineup.
I think best-case scenario would be as early as Thursday, and you know that he is real eager to get back into the mix as he referred to his frustration flipping the bird on Sunday when he met the media on Monday.
It was directed at the fact that he’s not playing and he’s not able to help his teammates or contribute.
It’s a huge positive for the Maple Leafs given they need as much help as they can get right now and losing their leading scorer doesn’t exactly help how things have been.
Toronto will ruin theirs and William Nylander’s season if they rush him back
But again, the team may be rushing him back prematurely and if he gets hurt yet again and puts his Olympics in jeopardy.
If that happens, then it’s a horrible look on management because not only did they rob themselves of their star player again, but put Sweden in a horrible spot with only weeks until the break.
For as good as Nylander has been, he’s only as good as his health dictates and if the team thinks that they have a chance to make a run (even though their recent stretch clearly shows otherwise) then bringing him back against Seattle for a bit of extra momentum makes sense.
The team needed defense and brought back Chris Tanev early, and now he could be out for the rest of the season; and Anthony Stolarz just returned but looked like he wasn’t ready (though that wasn’t Toronto’s call).
No doubt Toronto is better with Nylander, but the fact that they could be making another mistake with him means that perhaps they are feeling a bit too confident in their chances and it could backfire spectacularly.
Previously on Hockey Patrol
POLL
1 HOUR AGOÂ Â Â |Â Â Â 37 ANSWERS
Best-case scenario for William Nylander’s return is starting to emerge
Do you think Toronto needs to bring back William Nylander early?