William Nylander Returns as Maple Leafs Shake Up Lineup Ahead of Penguins Matchup
The Toronto Maple Leafs made some notable lineup moves ahead of their clash with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the biggest being the return of William Nylander. After missing one game due to illness, the 29-year-old winger was back in action-and that’s a major boost for a team that’s leaned heavily on his offensive firepower this season.
With 31 points in 20 games, Nylander isn’t just leading the team in scoring-he’s become the go-to guy on the wing following Mitch Marner’s offseason departure. His return couldn’t come at a better time as Toronto looks to find consistency in a competitive Eastern Conference.
But while Nylander was back in the mix, the Leafs made a couple of eyebrow-raising decisions elsewhere. Forwards Matias Maccelli and Calle Järnkrok were both healthy scratches, signaling that head coach Sheldon Keefe is looking to send a message-or at least shake things up.
Järnkrok, now 34, has struggled to find his footing this season. He’s managed just four goals in 19 games and hasn’t registered a single assist.
That’s a steep drop from the 39-point campaign he put together in 2022-23. He’s never been known as a high-end scorer, but the Leafs were surely expecting more than what they’ve gotten so far.
Maccelli’s situation is a bit more complicated. After a breakout 57-point season in 2023-24, he’s failed to replicate that form.
His production dipped last year and has continued to slide into 2025-26, with just nine points through 22 games. For a player who was once seen as a rising offensive contributor, it’s been a tough stretch-and sitting out might be a reset opportunity more than a punishment.
Benoit Out, Myers In on the Blue Line
On the defensive side, Simon Benoit was unavailable for tonight’s game due to personal reasons. No further details were provided, which is standard protocol in these situations. In his absence, veteran Philippe Myers stepped into the lineup.
Myers, a 6-foot-5 blueliner, has been used primarily in a depth role this season. He’s appeared in 10 games and averaged just over 14 minutes of ice time per contest. While not a flashy addition, Myers brings size and experience to the back end-two things that are always welcome when navigating the grind of the NHL season.
Injury Setback for Juuso Parssinen in Hartford
Elsewhere in the Eastern Conference, Juuso Parssinen’s stint with the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack hit a snag almost immediately. The 24-year-old forward suffered an injury in his debut with the team and is now considered week-to-week, according to Hartford reporter Keegan Jarvis.
Parssinen had just been reassigned to the AHL on November 26 after clearing waivers. The Rangers had high hopes for him when they acquired him from Colorado and signed him to a two-year deal with a $1.25 million AAV. The plan was for him to compete for a third-line center role, but he was leapfrogged on the depth chart by rookie Noah Laba and sent down to Hartford to get more reps.
Now, Parssinen will have to hit pause on that comeback effort while he rehabs the injury. It’s a frustrating turn for a player trying to carve out a role in a deep Rangers lineup, but the organization still sees potential-he just has to get healthy and stay ready.
Bottom Line
For the Maple Leafs, Nylander’s return is the headline-but the healthy scratches of Maccelli and Järnkrok underline a team still searching for the right lineup chemistry. With the season approaching its midpoint, decisions like these can be pivotal in shaping the stretch run. Meanwhile, in Hartford, Parssinen’s injury is an unfortunate setback for a player trying to prove he belongs back in the NHL mix.