Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander finally made his long awaited return after the longest RFA contract holdouts in RFA history. Head coach Mike Babcock didn't waste any time as after only one practice Nylander was thrown right into the mix on a line with Auston Matthews. Nylander's ice time was slowly cut down before he eventually being pinned to the bench as he didn't play during the last 11 minutes of the game. After eventually landing some shifts with the fourth line, Nylander registered 12:29 minutes of total ice time. "I thought Willy was fine. It was probably unfair for me...we never even gave the guy a practice. He had an opportunity we felt to get going, we tried to get going. It has nothing to do with Willy; it has to do with me wanting to win the game" Babcock said following the game. Nylander knows he's got some work to put in to get going. "It felt okay. There's a lot of different from practicing by yourself. I started feeling better. Legs were okay. Felt like it was an okay first game." said Nylander.
MUST READ
5 hours ago | By Mike Armenti
Maple Leafs Make Questionable Roster Decision With Auston Matthews Out of the Lineup
6 hours ago | By Nick Matthews
Maple Leafs Coach Craig Berube Confirms How Auston Matthews Suffered His Injury
6 hours ago | By Ryan Smitheram
Maple Leafs Coach Craig Berube Shares Thoughts On Dominant New McMann, Domi, Robertson Line
11 hours ago | By Dean Chaudhry
Toronto Maple Leafs Confirm Auston Matthews Headed Back to Sidelines
12 hours ago | By Mike Armenti
Leafs Make Shocking Announcement Regarding Matt Murray After First NHL Game in 628 Days
13 hours ago | By Nick Matthews
Craig Berube's Maple Leafs Surprisingly Lead the League in One Impressive Category
14 hours ago | By Ryan Smitheram
Maple Leafs' Video Crew Comes to Matt Murray's Rescue in Win Over Sabres
15 hours ago | By TJ Tucker
Toronto Fans Caught Heckling Ex-Maple Leafs Goalie James Reimer in Win over Sabres