William Nylander’s absence from Leafs lineup due to painful migraine

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There could be a good reason behind William Nylander’s unexplained absence from the Maple Leafs. 

On Thursday, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported multiple sources indicate Nylander is suffering from a painful migraine condition that prompted team doctors to assess the 98-point winger for a concussion. 

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Friedman’s sources said the problem became known Thursday, after Nylander was permitted to play in both of Toronto’s last two regular-season games, instead of resting as certain stars on a team might prior to playoffs.

A man-power shortage of forwards kept him in both contests. 

Whenever the pain began, Nylander has not played in the first three games of the series against Boston, but has been at the two most recent morning skates.

He didn’t take regular line shifts and coach Sheldon Keefe has consistently kept the door open to his return for each contest. 

Such a condition would partially explain why Nylander was moving around with relative ease when he was on skates, skating and shooting with no signs of a distinct upper or lower body issue.

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It wouldn’t be Nylander’s first issue with headaches. In September of 2022, he told media he had switched to a tinted visor due to migraines the previous season. 

With an extra day of rest in the series, which Toronto trails 2-1, Nylander might play Saturday, though the team took Thursday off after a trip preceded the two games in Boston.

The Leafs also hope winger Bobby McMann (lower body) is closer to returning after the club practices Friday. 

Nylander was the only member of the Maple Leafs to play all 82 regular-season games. He notched a career-high 98 points and tied his previous best of 40 goals. The Swedish winger also received a massive contract extension earlier this season, a monster eight-year deal worth $92 million this will kick in next season.

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