The Toronto Maple Leafs suggested that their star winger’s status is up-in-the-air. It seems likely that William Nylander won’t be back in the lineup on Saturday night against the Winnipeg Jets.
William Nylander (lower body) is still being evaluated per Craig Berube. No indication yet if it’s a short-term or long-term issue. Doubtful for Saturday’s game against Winnipeg.
— Anna Dua (@AnnaNoelleDua) January 16, 2026
A William Nylander Injury Update
The Maple Leafs lost Nylander on top of their 6-5 overtime defeat to Mitch Marner and the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday night. Nylander left the game at the 8:48 mark of the first period.
The Leafs’ leading scorer registered a goal and an assist in the opening frame of last night’s game in Las Vegas, Nevada. But he seemingly tweaked a lower-body injury that had kept him out of six games earlier this month. The latest Nylander injury could have happened during the celebration of his goal on Thursday night. Here’s a look at the incident in the Tweet below.
man… pic.twitter.com/X50SX3lRL2
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) January 16, 2026
Nylander slipped after bumping against the boards. His ankle got twisted awkwardly, suggesting a re-aggravation of his previous injury.
After the game, Mark Masters reported head coach Craig Berube’s comments on the Nylander injury. Berube essentially confirmed the re-aggravation of Nylander’s ankle injury. However, he did not offer a firm timeline on Nylander’s return. Again, today’s update suggested he is being evaluated further, and still no timetable was released.
Last night, Berube also confirmed the injury happened in the first period. So, that comment seems consistent with the Nylander injury happening during the goal celebration.
Craig Berube says William Nylander aggravated the previous lower-body injury
“It’s hard. He was back playing great & then now he’s out again. We’ll see how long.”
Leafs coach is not sure when it happened
“It was in the first period early” @TSN_Sports
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) January 16, 2026
Nylander leads the Maple Leafs in scoring this season with 48 points 37 games.
Previous Injury Stints Have Not Slowed Maple Leafs Down
Nylander has missed a total of 10 games for the Toronto Maple Leafs this season. Despite his importance to the team, the Nylander injury stints have not slowed down the team. According to StatMuse, the Maple Leafs are 6-2-2 without Nylander this season. In those 10 games, the Leafs have outscored opponents 35-29, notching three power play goals in 19 opportunities.
That’s not bad, considering how devastating a Nylander injury can be to the Maple Leafs lineup. Still, the team is much better off with Nylander in the lineup. In the four games since his return this month, the start winger has seven points, with three goals and four assists.
So, the hope for Maple Leafs fans is that this more recent Nylander injury won’t keep him out of the lineup, if at all. The team is fighting for one of the Eastern Conference Stanley Cup Playoff Wild Card spots. That’s why the club needs Nylander in the fold.
Main Photo Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images