Video: Maple Leafs Star William Nylander Injured By Teammate in Bizarre Incident

Well, that was awkward. Nick Robertson meant well, but his "slingshot play" shove in the back of teammate William Nylander caused the Toronto Maple Leafs star forward to launch unfortunately head-first into the knee of the Montreal Canadiens' Christian Dvorak, leaving him dazed. He was forced to exit the game.

Nick Robertson shoves William Nylander down with his stick.

Nylander’s head then collides with the Habs defenders knee. Nylander went straight to the dressing room

pic.twitter.com/J5uLJ06o3l

— Drew Livingstone (@ProducerDrew_) September 26, 2024

Nylander did not return to the game, but the Leafs were simply saying it was for "precautionary reasons". 

Insider Darren Dreger said on TSN 1050 Radio Friday morning that Robertson's intention "was not to fire Nylander into traffic and into trouble. He was trying to give him a little boost... I wouldn't call it a federal offense. The kid shouldn't be indicted."   

The good news is that Leafs head coach Craig Berube said after the game that Nylander is ok. “He’ll be fine," Berube said. "Nothing to worry about.”

Robertson would later make up for it with a highlight-reel game-winning goal in the 2-1 exhibition win.  

🇺🇸✨ Full effort by Nick Robertson to steal this puck and bury it for a goal. 💙

— @MapleLeafs #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/lCgRS0l3pp

— Leafslatest (@Leafslatest) September 27, 2024

After a summer of discontent, when Robertson asked out of the organization, Berube was able to convince the restricted free agent of the opportunity he would finally have this season to earn a regular spot with the Leafs, and the youngster is taking advantage of it thus far in preseason. 

"He's had a very good camp," agreed Dreger. "If he can stay healthy, he might be a very good piece for the Leafs."