Toronto Maple Leafs winger William Nylander pointed to injuries as the reason why the team missed the playoffs this year.
The Maple Leafs missed the postseason for the first time in nine seasons when they came in last place in the Atlantic Division and second-last in the Eastern Conference, just barely ahead of the equally disappointing New York Rangers. For Nylander, this is only the second time in his entire 11-year NHL career that the Leafs have missed the playoffs, and the first since he debuted as a rookie during the 2015-2016 season. Because the Leafs had a lost season, they fired former General Manager Brad Treliving and could potentially part ways with head coach Craig Berube, depending on what incoming management decides to do. The team is also expected to make changes to its roster, including potentially moving on from captain Auston Matthews.
During the year-end media scrums, Nylander was asked what went wrong this season. According to the star forward, injuries were a big part of the Leafs having a lost season.
“A lot of injuries, I think, piled up and maybe were a big factor looking back at it,” Nylander said.
When asked if he thinks the Leafs can bounce back next season and make the playoffs, the Swede said that he believes the team will make it back to the postseason next year, especially if the players stay healthy.
“Yeah, of course. I think that with all the injuries and stuff that we had this year, it was a big factor, and I don’t think that we won’t be coming back there, that’s what my belief is,” Nylander said.
William Nylander Led the Maple Leafs in Scoring for the 1st Time
For the first time in his NHL career, Nylander led the Leafs in scoring. He played in just 65 games due to injuries, but he still racked up 30 goals and 49 assists for 79 points overall. This marked the first time in a decade that a Leafs player besides Matthews and former star Mitch Marner led the squad in scoring, so despite the team missing out on the playoffs, Nylander himself had a solid year. Should be stay healthy next season, there is no reason to think he can’t break the 100-point barrier for the first time in his NHL career.
Maple Leafs Dealt With Many Injuries This Season
The Leafs dealt with many injuries this year, including a season-ending knee injury to Matthews following a dirty hit by Radko Gudas of the Anaheim Ducks. In addition to Matthews, both the team’s goalies, Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll, suffered numerous injuries, which led to third-stringer Dennis Hildeby playing in 20 games this year. Winger Dakota Joshua, who was expected to be a big part of the team this year after they acquired him in a trade last offseason from the Vancouver Canucks, also dealt with several injuries and only played 55 games, as did veteran defenseman Chris Tanev, who only played in 11 games. Brandon Carlo, one of the Leafs’ big trade acquisitions at last year’s trade deadline, also only played 55 games due to injuries.
Provided the Leafs stay healthy, plus make a few key upgrades during the offseason, there is every reason to believe the squad can bounce back and make a playoff push, at least according to Nylander. However, it will be interesting to see what the team’s new GM does once the franchise hires on, as the team’s new overseer may have a different view of what went wrong this year.
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