{"id":437100,"date":"2026-01-30T22:53:11","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T22:53:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/437100\/"},"modified":"2026-01-30T22:53:11","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T22:53:11","slug":"william-nylander-is-back-in-the-mix-in-vancouver-as-another-key-leafs-regular-sits-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/437100\/","title":{"rendered":"William Nylander is back in the mix in Vancouver, as another key Leafs regular sits out"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\nWilliam Nylander is back in the mix in Vancouver, as another key Leafs regular sits out
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Hockey Patrol has no direct affiliation to the Toronto Maple Leafs, NHL or NHLPA<\/p>\n


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Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The Toronto Maple Leafs appear to be making a sudden change to their roster ahead of tomorrow’s game vs Vancouver.<\/p>\n

Some positive news for the Toronto Maple Leafs as William Nylander has re-joined the team in practice ahead of their game tomorrow vs the Canucks.<\/p>\n

Nylander had practiced with the team<\/a> yesterday ahead of the Leafs game against Seattle as an extra skater, but did not play against the Kraken.<\/p>\n

The Toronto forward has been out since mid-January with a groin injury suffered on the 15th against the Vegas Golden Knights.<\/p>\n

Nylander was skating on the second line alongside Matias Maccelli and John Tavares, appearing likely he will return to the Leafs top-six for tomorrow.<\/p>\n

Easton Cowan was an extra skater, meaning he may like sit out tomorrow’s game vs the Canucks. Cowan has been without a point in four of his last five games.<\/p>\n

Maple Leafs make move on defense ahead of game vs Vancouver <\/p>\n

Toronto appears to be looking at a likely swap in their defensive group as a surprise name appears poised to insert into the Leafs lineup against the Vancouver Canucks.<\/p>\n

During the Leafs practice ahead of tomorrow’s matchup in Vancouver in what is the Leafs western road trip that ends with the Olympic break, Toronto made a change on defense.<\/p>\n

Simon Benoit has been shifted out of the lineup in practice, with Marshall Rifai taking his place alongside Troy Stecher on the Leafs third pairing.<\/p>\n

Rifai, 27, has played in 12 games this season in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies. He last played in the 2023-24 NHL season, appearing in two games with the Leafs.<\/p>\n

Rifai was recalled from the AHL<\/a> Wednesday with Henry Thrun sent down. Rifai was expected to suit up and some point for the Leafs Western Canada road stretch.<\/p>\n

Joseph Woll is the projected starter for tomorrow against Vancouver. Woll had a 29 save shutout in a 5-0 win against the Canucks earlier this year on January 10th.<\/p>\n

Previously on Hockey Patrol<\/p>\n

POLL<\/p>\n

48 MINUTES AGO|25 ANSWERS<\/p>\n

William Nylander is back in the mix in Vancouver, as another key Leafs regular sits out<\/p>\n

Should Marshall Rifai stay in the Leafs lineup?<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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