In recent weeks, questions have arisen regarding the health of Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander. While the team officially reported Nylander's absence from the November 28th game against the Washington Capitals as due to illness, speculation lingers about whether an undisclosed injury might also be a factor.

Nylander, a key player for the Leafs, was scratched from the lineup just before the game against the Capitals. Head Coach Craig Berube stated that Nylander had fallen ill the previous night and was experiencing symptoms throughout the day. The team has characterized his absence as short-term, expressing hope that he would be available for the subsequent game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

However, this isn't the first time Nylander's health has been a topic of discussion this season. Back in October, Nylander left a game against the Buffalo Sabres with a lower-body injury after a collision. The team remained tight-lipped about the severity of the injury at the time. Berube initially offered limited information, stating that Nylander might be able to play in the next game, leaving his status uncertain.

Adding to the speculation is the demanding nature of the NHL season. Players often push through minor injuries, and teams sometimes prefer not to disclose specific injury details to gain a competitive advantage. This can lead to situations where an "illness" might mask an underlying injury that a player is attempting to manage.

Despite the uncertainty, the team has welcomed back several players from injury recently. Auston Matthews returned after missing nearly two weeks with a lower-body injury, and forwards Matthew Knies and Nicolas Roy also rejoined the lineup after absences. The potential return of defenseman Brandon Carlo from a lower-body injury is also on the horizon. However, Goaltender Anthony Stolarz remains out with an upper-body injury.

Nylander's importance to the Maple Leafs cannot be overstated. The 29-year-old winger has been a consistent offensive force, leading the team in scoring with 31 points in 20 games. His absence is a significant blow to the team's lineup, especially as they navigate a challenging season.

For now, the official word is that William Nylander is sidelined with an illness. Whether there is more to the story remains to be seen.