The Toronto Maple Leafs demoted William Nylander to the third line amid a scoring slump during Wednesday's practice. The team also placed defenceman Dakota Mermis on injured reserve and recalled Henry Thrun, while goaltender Dennis Hildeby continues to step up in net. They face the San Jose Sharks at home on Thursday without suspended forward Bobby McMann.
The Toronto Maple Leafs made several roster adjustments on Wednesday as they prepare for their next game against the San Jose Sharks. Forward William Nylander, in the midst of a four-game pointless streak—his coldest stretch of the season—was moved to the third line alongside Nicolas Roy and Dakota Joshua during practice, according to David Alter of The Hockey News. Nylander, who had gone pointless just twice in October and November combined, has 32 points (11 goals, 21 assists) in 25 games this season. Head coach Craig Berube addressed the demotion, saying, "I think if I had to look at one thing, he's gotta get involved more, engaged more in the games, work his way through it. And that's what I talked to him today about. ... All players go through it at some point."
Nick Robertson took Nylander's spot on the second line with John Tavares and Easton Cowan, while Auston Matthews centered Matthew Knies and Max Domi on the top line. The changes come as the Maple Leafs have won five of their last six games, a run that started with Nylander's overtime winner against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Injuries continue to test the team's depth. Defenceman Dakota Mermis was placed on injured reserve Wednesday after suffering a lower-body injury in Monday's 2-0 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning, stemming from a knee-on-knee hit by Gage Goncalves that sparked a scrum. Berube indicated Mermis will miss about a month. The team recalled Henry Thrun from the AHL's Toronto Marlies; Thrun, acquired from the Sharks in the offseason for Ryan Reaves, has five goals and 20 assists in 119 career NHL games. Morgan Rielly missed practice due to illness, and forward Bobby McMann was suspended one game for high-sticking Lightning forward Oliver Bjorkstrand in the third period of that game.
In goal, Dennis Hildeby has filled in admirably with Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll sidelined by upper- and lower-body injuries, respectively. Hildeby earned his first career shutout Monday, stopping 29 shots against Tampa, and holds a 2-2-2 record with a 2.15 goals-against average and .936 save percentage in six games. "He's trusting his ability and his size, and staying pretty calm and cool in net," Berube said. Woll skated separately Wednesday and is eligible to return from IR on Thursday.
The Maple Leafs, 1-0-1 into their five-game homestand, aim to extend their momentum against a Sharks team that lost 4-1 to the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday after a 4-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes.
