With Auston Matthews and Calle Jarnkrok already nursing injuries in training camp, we may add William Nylander's name to the list of Leafs dealing with an ailment after being clipped in the head by a Canadiens player at the Maple Leafs' blueline.
The blooper occurred in the first frame, when Nick Robertson attempted to give Nylander a bit of a shove as the Leafs were on a backcheck. The unsuspecting Nylander fell forward and took a knee directly to the helmet, and was slow to get up.
Unfortunately, Leafs beat reporter David Alter confirmed that Nylander vacated the Leafs' bench with the trainer, heading down the tunnel for the Leafs' locker room.
**Update 8:01pm: Nylander not on the bench to join the Leafs for the 2nd period.**
***Update 8:02pm: Nylander will not return for precautionary reasons.***
Obviously, we don't want to speculate, but if he did suffer a head/neck injury or a concussion on the play, that would be less than ideal for Nylander, who is enjoying a legitimate trial run at center in training camp.
It's worth mentioning that Nylander missed time in the playoffs for a migraine disorder, which left him in so much pain that it actually impaired his vision.
POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 26 | 1366 ANSWERS Strange play by Nick Robertson inadvertently causes an injury to Leafs teammate William Nylander How many points will William Nylander finish the season with? | ||
70 or less | 153 | 11.2 % |
71-80 | 257 | 18.8 % |
81-90 | 476 | 34.8 % |
91 or more | 480 | 35.1 % |
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