The most important thing during the NHL pre-season is probably not to get your best players injured. Pre-season games give players a great opportunity to prove they have what it takes to play in the NHL.
But you never want your players missing regular-season games because of something that happened in pre-season, and you never, ever want to see your star players get injured in meaningless games with no points on the line.
What’s even worse is if your star players get injured—by their own teammate. That’s exactly what happened in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ pre-season game with the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday, in one of the most absurd incidents we’ve ever seen.
William Nylander, one of Toronto’s “core-four” players, left the game in the first period after he collided head-first into the leg of Canadiens defenseman Christian Dvorak.
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Nylander was forechecking in the neutral zone when, all of a sudden, he was pushed from behind by teammate Nick Robertson. Robertson was trying to give Nylander a boost by pushing him with his stick, but it only caused Nylander to fall and make contact with Dvorak’s leg. Nylander immediately went to the locker room for evaluation and didn’t return to the game.
Auston Matthews sustained an upper-body injury during Tuesday’s practice, and another injury scare involving Nylander was not what fans wanted before Thursday’s game. Fortunately, the Leafs claimed that Nylander not playing the remainder of the game was only precautionary. Head coach Craig Berube said Nylander “will be okay” and that it’s “nothing to worry about.”
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But the collision wasn’t just bad for Nylander; it was a terrible look for Nick Robertson. Drafted by the Maple Leafs in 2019, Robertson has had a turbulent time in Toronto. He’s been seeking more playing time in the NHL and reportedly asked for a trade away from the Maple Leafs this summer.
The pre-season gives players like Robertson a chance to prove they deserve more playing time in the big league, but after his blunder with Nylander during the game, fans on social media were ruthless.
“Well, that’s one way to win the roster spot he’s been crying about all summer,” one said.
“Robertson trying to get a spot,” another added.
“Robertson trying to take Willy’s spot,” a third commented.
“Robertson moving up the depth chart with plays like this,” a fourth said.
Many also claimed it was “typical Toronto.”
“The Toronto Maple Leafs. Never a dull moment,” one remarked.
