Toronto Maple Leafs prospect William Nylander’s status for the rest of the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championships remains in question after being hit by Swiss forward Chris Egli in the first period of Sweden’s 8-3 victory on Saturday.
Nylander went to hospital to be medically checked and rejoined his teammates following the game, but team doctors indicated on Sunday that he would stay off the ice the next few days in hopes that he can return later in the tournament, but did not disclose if the 19-year-old was concussed by the hit.
Thanks for all the support and kind words!! 😊
— William Nylander (@snizzbone) December 27, 2015Sweden (who also lost forward Adrian Kempe to injury vs Switzerland) plays Team USA on Monday, Denmark on Wednesday and finishes up the preliminary games on New Year’s Eve against Team Canada, so it possible that Nylander is held out until the quarter-finals next Saturday.
William Nylander knocked out of the SWE-SUI game in the first period by an open ice hit. #Leafs pic.twitter.com/85eYBemxvi
— Michael Augello (@MikeInBuffalo) December 26, 2015*******
Toronto management has reason to be optimistic about the future of Nylander (who leads the American Hockey League in scoring), 2015 top pick Mitch Marner and prospects Travis Dermott, Dmytro Timashov and Kasperi Kapanen who are playing for their respective countries in the World Junior Championships, but also in young players beginning to show promise with the Toronto Marlies.
Josh Leivo has bounced back from a slumping sophomore season, playing mostly on the wing on the top line with Nylander. The 22-year-old Innisfil, ON native is in the top 20 of AHL scoring with 25 points.
Brendan Leipsic had a successful rookie season split between Milwaukee and Toronto after being acquired in the Cody Franson/Mike Santorelli deal last February and has been one of the Marlies most consistent forwards, with 21 points (8 goals, 13 assists) in 31 games.
The 21-year-old speedy winger and continued producing offensively this weekend, registering a pair of goals and four points in a weekend split with division rival St. Johns.
Russian import Nikita Soshnikov was signed as a free agent after playing two seasons with Oblast Atlant of the KHL and took some time adjusting to North America, but the 22-year-old now has nine goals and is trusted by Marlies head coach Sheldon Keefe.
“(Soshnikov) has been good for me all season. He’s had ups and downs like all players do, (but) he’s coming off an injury.… Keefe said on Saturday. “I thought he was real good for us before the (Christmas) break and good moments again today.…
Toronto native Zach Hyman was acquired from Florida for Greg McKegg last June after playing four years at the University of Michigan and led the Wolverines in scoring. The 23-year-old did not score with regularity at the start of the season, but displayed a well-rounded game that earned the praise of the rookie head coach.
“I’m sure he would probably say there’s definitely an adjustment there.… Keefe said. “He’s been great from the start of the season for me. He’s on the puck, he’s a worker, he seems to be more comfortable with the puck now and perhaps the game has slowed down more for him and he’s getting his chances.…
At 6’1… 205 lb, Hyman has displayed the two-way ability to be on the Leafs radar later this season when they begin to move out pending UFA forwards at the trade deadline or at training camp next September.
The Leafs organizational rebuild is not only dependent on the success of the top picks becoming stars, but also being able to find talent and develop them into players who can fill in various roles on the club instead of having to continually sign free agents to plug holes.
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