Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander avoided a major injury after leaving Thursday’s preseason contest against the Montreal Canadiens due to precautionary reasons following a first-period collision.
Nylander was innocuously pushed by teammate Nick Robertson in an effort to give him some additional speed, but he crashed into the ice and collided with Canadiens forward Christian Dvorak’s leg as his head hit the ice. Robertson was clearly contrite after the game, although it was an innocent, routine sequence.
Nylander immediately skated to the locker room and did not return. Toronto ruled Nylander out at the end of the first intermission due to precautionary reasons.
Although there was ample reason to be concerned about Nylander’s status, Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube indicated that Nylander will be okay.
“He’s OK, he’ll be fine. Nothing to worry about,” Berube told reporters post-game.
John Tavares also indicated that Nylander was alright, before Berube’s post-game availability.
“He’s doing pretty well but obviously precautionary especially at this time of the year so hopefully it’s nothing more than just precautionary.”
Nylander started out on a line centring Bobby McMann and Nick Robertson before leaving the contest. He is expected to get a prolonged look at centre throughout training camp and into the season, initially paired with Max Domi and Calle Jarnkrok, the latter of whom is working their way through an injury.
Robertson opened his post-game media remarks by addressing the play.
“Obviously, elephant in the room with the Willy situation: it’s unfortunate, trying to give him a little bit of a boost but it is what it is.”
Nylander is coming off the best season of his career where he recorded a career-best 40 goals and 98 points and he’s a foundational piece of the Maple Leafs, entering a pivotal year.
Toronto resumes its preseason against Montreal on Saturday.
