William Nylander’s Team Sweden status is becoming hard for the Maple Leafs to ignore

For a second consecutive day, Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander is held out of practice for team Sweden at the 2026 men's Olympic Ice Hockey tournament.

Nylander did not participate in Sweden's practice ahead of their opening match against host Italy, but did suit up in the 5-2 win vs the Italians, scoring the game winning goal in the second period.

Playing through a groin injury, it's not clear the severity of the issue, but it was something that Nylander said had not given him trouble. Nylander's first absence was precautionary, it's unknown if the same is the reason again.

A potential injury to Nylander still looms over the Swedish team, with no certainty if Nylander will play in tomorrow's game for Sweden against Finland.

William Nylander seems to be playing through some physical uncertainty, and if the injury is a greater deal than initially thought, it could spell bad news for the Toronto Maple Leafs when he gets back.

The Leafs are one team perhaps grateful for the extended NHL stoppage as a consistently battered team looks for some relief.

The one big name on the sidelines is Morgan Rielly, who had picked up an injury only days before the start of the Olympics, a re-aggrevation of a previous injury that he is hoping the next few weeks can heal.

The best case scenario for Sweden, and the Leafs, is that Nylander's issue is precautionary as stated, and doesn't escalate to anything worse. But Toronto will be hoping his injury doesn't extend once he comes back.

Potentially losing Nylander once play resumes would be a major loss for a Leafs team that has had momentum after winning their last three games, and desperate to get back on track at full health.

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‘For me, it sucks’: Auston Matthews admits what still bothers him, and why the Olympics matter