During the Toronto Maple Leafs’ preseason game against the Montreal Canadiens, William Nylander was involved in an unexpected collision that caused him to leave the game as a precaution. The incident occurred in the first period when Nick Robertson attempted to give Nylander a boost during the forecheck, resulting in a collision with Canadiens forward Christian Dvorak. Nylander tumbled awkwardly into Dvorak, raising concerns about a potential injury.
Nylander returned to the ice on Friday and reassured the media that it was just an accidental incident with no major consequences. Robertson reached out to Nylander after the game, and Nylander emphasized that it was not a big deal, especially since he scored.
The collision occurred when Robertson pushed Nylander to gain speed in the neutral zone, but Nylander lost balance and collided with Dvorak, potentially hitting his head. The Maple Leafs promptly removed Nylander from the game as a precaution, stating that the injury did not seem serious.
Robertson explained that it was an unintended consequence of trying to help Nylander, emphasizing that it was just a quick-paced moment that happened during forechecking. Head coach Craig Berube viewed the incident as a learning experience for the team, highlighting that accidents happen in the heat of competition.
While the public statements downplayed the significance of the collision, behind closed doors, there may have been a more nuanced discussion about the incident. Nylander’s importance to the team and the potential impact of his injury on the season cannot be overlooked.
Moving forward, Robertson will likely approach similar situations with caution, and the team will emphasize the importance of learning from mistakes. While Nylander’s condition seems to be fine, the incident serves as a reminder of the thin line between competition and player safety. Robertson may receive a pass for this incident, but he will be expected to show improved judgment in the future.
