Craig Berube says William Nylander could return to Maple Leafs Saturday

Coach Craig Berube said William Nylander, out since Dec. 27 with a lower-body injury and listed day-to-day, could return to the Maple Leafs as soon as Saturday. Nylander has skated on his own and was placed on injured reserve retroactive to Dec. 27.

William Nylander is sidelined with a lower-body injury and has not played since leaving the Dec. 27 game against the Ottawa Senators. He is listed day-to-day and was placed on injured reserve retroactive to Dec. 27 as part of a roster move. Head coach Craig Berube said after a morning skate that Nylander is "doing good" and that a return on Saturday is possible. Nylander has skated on his own in recent days and this is the longest injury absence of his career. Current details: - William Nylander has a lower-body injury and exited the Dec. 27 game midway through the second period, then did not return. - He was placed on injured reserve retroactive to Dec. 27 as a roster-management move while Marshall Rifai was recalled. - Nylander is listed day-to-day and missed his sixth consecutive game on Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers. - Coach Craig Berube said Nylander is "doing good" and called Saturday a possible return date. - Nylander leads the Maple Leafs with 14 goals and 41 points in 33 games this season despite missing the last five games. - Since Nylander left the lineup, Toronto has gone 3-0-2 and outscored opponents 20-13, and Matthew Knies has filled his second-line spot with three goals and two assists in the last five games. Summary: Nylander's absence has not stopped the team's recent results, and Matthew Knies has taken his second-line role and contributed offensively. Coach Berube indicated a Saturday return is possible, but the team's final lineup for that game is undetermined at this time.