Toronto's morning skate looked a lot different given the slew of new injuries, but at least we have a little bit better of an idea of William Nylander's status.
Tuesday's game against New Jersey is going to have a much different look as the Toronto Maple Leafs continue to deal with several injuries including ones to Auston Matthews and Chris Tanev (again).
It's a frustrating development to say the least, but one forward who hadn't gotten an update yet was William Nylander. He missed Sunday's game against Detroit, and there was no word on what exactly was going on except that he was day-to-day.
Nylander still absent even though he's day-to-day
Well, TSN's Darren Dreger gave up at least a little bit of an update even if it's not a hugely positive one, and still mentioned the forward was being evaluated on a daily basis:
Injuries are piling up on the Leafs again. Tanev and Joshua are both hurt. Extent should be known this morning. Auston Matthews is a game time decision tonight after blocking a shot on Sunday. Nylander remains day to day. Tough time of year.
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Tough times indeed as Toronto was just getting things sorted out and now have a large group of players missing. Dakota Joshua is absent for Tuesday night alongside Tanev, and Matthews is a game-time decision.
Practice comes with good news however
No Nylander and company means that there will be a couple new faces in the lineup as Toronto will see Jacob Quillan and Matt Benning enter the fray after being called up from the Toronto Marlies (AHL).
The Maple Leafs are going to be putting Joseph Woll in net barring any wild circumstances, which will at least give the team a fighting chance. Woll has been great this season, sporting a 7-4-1 record with a 2.74 GAA and .911 SV%.
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One positive note coming out of practice though is that Brandon Carlo is working his way back and was seen again on the ice with the return-to-play staff:
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It's sending mixed signals as we get a couple people working their way back only to lose a few more in the interim. It feels like the team can't get healthy or stay healthy long enough to have a consistent impact.
We'll get to see how things play out on Tuesday night, but let's just hope these injuries aren't something that start Toronto's 2026 off terribly.