Jim Hiller puts fringe forward on the top line following William Nylander's illness

Without William Nylander available on Monday, Jim Hiller made a surprising decision to insert a bottom-six staple on the top line in place of him on the top line.

Things went from bad to worse for the Maple Leafs on the injury front, as the team was without William Nylander during their morning practice ahead of their crucial must-win game against the San Jose Sharks on Monday.

He's missing due to an unidentified illness, and while it's that time of the year for colds and flus, this has been a growing issue in the Maple Leafs locker room over the years - and illnesses spread.

Right now it's best to keep Nylander away to recover and hope he can get enough rest before another game on Tuesday.

Jim Hiller adds a shocking name to the top line in Nylander's absence

But in the wake of his absence, Toronto and Jim Hiller needed to make some changes and while he could have added Gavin McKenna, Easton Cowan, or Kirill Marchenko on the top line - he went with something completely different:

Groulx* - Matthews - Roslovic
Cowan - Paul - Marchenko
McKenna - Sissons - Lettieri
Duhaime - Blueger - MacEwen

McCabe - Raddysh
Rielly - Stecher
Ekman-Larsson - Blankenburg

Bobrovsky (Starter)
Stolarz
Akhtyamov

*Nylander absent (illness)

-

Granted, this could be simply a placeholder while Nylander's status is determined later on, it's still extremely interesting to see Groulx get the push over the other names. Even new call-up Vinni Lettieri would spark a bit more excitement and certainly more offensive potential.

Does Bo Groulx deserve the first line spot?

Hiller's lineup is subject to change before game time, and if Nylander is able to go then he will line up alongside Matthews and Roslovic. But if not, it will be interesting to see if he continues to run with Groulx or if he is going to move McKenna, Cowan, or someone else up instead.

But it becomes a question as to why Groulx got the shot over others. He has zero points in six games, plays less than 8:30 a night, and only three shots. If he is in for his defensive game, then sure - that helps a bit.

But if you're trying to get chemistry with either McKenna or Cowan alongside Auston Matthews then Nylander's absence opens a door for that. It's not a great situation, but it does open up opportunities to see what they can do, and with how things have been...why not?

It will be a story to keep an eye on as we get closer to puck drop but for now, they are going with Groulx for better or for worse.

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