If Friday night’s 6-3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights made one thing crystal clear, it’s this: the Toronto Maple Leafs miss William Nylander - badly.
The Leafs were outpaced and outgunned by a sharp Vegas squad led by Mitch Marner, and without their top scorer in the lineup, Toronto struggled to generate the kind of offensive spark they’ve come to rely on. But there’s a silver lining for Leafs fans - and it came less than 24 hours after the final horn.
Both William Nylander and Dakota Joshua were spotted on the ice Saturday morning ahead of team practice - a major step forward in their respective recoveries. It marked the first time either player had skated since suffering their injuries, and while there’s still no official return date, it’s a welcome sight for a team in need of reinforcements.
Nylander has now missed four straight games after aggravating a groin injury during Toronto’s January 15 matchup in Vegas. It’s the same issue that sidelined him for six games earlier in the season, and it’s clearly been nagging.
But even with the missed time, Nylander remains the Leafs’ leading scorer - 17 goals and 48 points in just 37 games. That’s elite-level production, and it’s no surprise the team’s offense has felt his absence.
Head coach Craig Berube didn’t offer much in the way of a timeline after Friday’s loss, saying only that he was “hoping” Nylander could get back on the ice over the weekend. That hope turned into reality Saturday morning, but the bigger question - when he’ll be game-ready - still hangs in the air. With the 2026 Olympics in Milan just weeks away, Sweden will be watching closely, too.
As for Dakota Joshua, the 29-year-old forward has been out since December 28 after suffering a lacerated kidney in a game against the Red Wings - a scary injury that’s kept him sidelined for 13 games and counting. Berube noted Friday night that Joshua is “a ways away” from returning, but his presence on the ice Saturday is a big step in the right direction.
Before the injury, Joshua had quietly carved out a solid role in Toronto’s bottom six, contributing six goals and 10 points across 36 games. He brings a physical presence and a responsible two-way game - the kind of depth that becomes even more valuable as the season grinds on.
For now, the Leafs will continue to navigate without two important pieces. But the sight of Nylander and Joshua skating again offers a bit of hope - and maybe a turning point - as Toronto looks to get healthy and back on track for the second half of the season.