MATTHEWS DUE BACK WITH LEAFS
Nylander return might also be in the cards but Babcock remains mum on set lines
When Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock starts talking about multiple healthy scratches among his forwards this week, you know he seriously believes Auston Matthews will be joined by William Nylander in Toronto’s lineup by the weekend.
With Matthews expected to return Wednesday against San Jose, a month after his shoulder injury, speculation is increasing that the club and Nylander will finally end their 150-day standoff with the restricted free agent agreeing to some sort of deal. The alternative is a hardball approach to make him sit the rest of the season after 5 p.m. Saturday or make a trade that general manager Kyle Dubas would likely prefer not be forced upon him.
Babcock, the only one in the organization authorized to mention anything public about Nylander, was discussing the lineup impact on whichever Leaf will sit to accommodate Matthews, when he volunteered this on Tuesday: “Our guys all know (Matthews) is going to be here; I expect Willy will be here, too. So there are other guys not playing, too.”
It added a bit more intrigue to why Babcock did not show his hand with any set forward lines in the contact practice Matthews had to get through to be greenlighted for the game against the Sharks.
“In my mind, I feel ready to play tomorrow,” Matthews said. “The guys took it easy on me for the most part, but just in those (few) battle drills and competing and stuff, everything felt good.”
Both Matthews and Babcock said final clearance would come after a discussion with head athletic therapist Paul Ayotte.
“Probably for the first period, it will be (adjusting) to the speed, the time and space,” Matthews said. “For myself, I want to get out there, get the puck, make sure I’m doing things right, not trying to be too fancy with it.
“I’ve been bored to death the past month. I’m going to be excited just to be back with the team.”
Matthews had been out since taking a Jacob Trouba hit on his shoulder in a game against Winnipeg Oct. 29. Since then, the Leafs have won nine of 15 games. Among those passing him on the points ledger (Matthews had 16 points in seven games) was Mitch Marner, now up to 33 and tied for third place overall with Edmonton’s Connor McDavid heading into Tuesday’s slate of games.
John Tavares has 15 goals and 28 points in his first season with the Leafs. Kasperi Kapanen has contributed 10 goals. Andreas Johnsson had a hat trick last week while Patrick Marleau has nine points in his past 14 games and Morgan Rielly’s 27 points are among the most by NHL defencemen. Frederik Andersen has a league-high 13 wins in net.
“It’s awesome to see,” Matthews said. “Obviously a big part of you is frustrated because you want to be out there with them and help contribute, but a lot of guys have been playing very well for us. We’re winning and that’s the most important part.”
Babcock started Tuesday’s practice with 4-on-4 mini-games with nets in the neutral zone and then mostly 1-on-1, or 2-on-2 rink long drills, nothing to give away a line assignment for Matthews at even strength or power play.
“To be honest with you, I haven’t thought about it,” Babcock deadpanned.
The plan in the summer was to start Matthews with Marleau and Nylander on his flanks, but the Nylander dispute saw Tyler Ennis moved up to right wing with Matthews. After Matthews’ mishap, two strong offensive lines were formed around Tavares between Marner and Hyman and Nazem Kadri between Kapanen and Marleau.
The Leafs will have to move a centre for Matthews, either making Par Lindholm a winger again, dropping fourth line middleman Frederick Gauthier or pushing out wingers Josh Leivo, Ennis or Johnsson. All have played well on both sides of the puck.
Nylander might be a little rusty, practising with a Swedish junior team at last report, but if he signs in the next two days, on a longterm or bridge deal, he might be able to play Saturday night in Minnesota against the Wild.