Sweden isn’t going overboard with William Nylander ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics
MILAN – Team Sweden is taking a cautionary approach with William Nylander.
The Maple Leafs forward missed Sweden’s practice at Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Tuesday, which coach Sam Hallam described as a “maintenance thing.”
“He had two full practices with us and after (Monday) he felt a little sore,” Hallam said after coming off the ice. “Just give him one more day and then we will see (Wednesday night against Italy). If he is ready to go or if it will be too late.”
After missing seven straight games with a hip injury in January, Nylander made just three appearances for Toronto before the Olympic break.
The maintenance day is supposed to ensure you don’t overdo it before the real competition begins after the round format.
Without Nylander, Filip Forsberg skated in his place alongside Adrian Kempe and Joel Eriksson Ek.
“I’m not too worried at all,” Hallam said. “He’s been looking sharp and good on the ice for two days. I thought we’d give him a day. It’s a short stretch, but we’re still getting started, and there are bigger games coming up. So let’s keep our priorities in check and focus on them.”
Swede Rasmus Andersson joked that it was “boring” for the book that he was traded from Calgary to Vegas before going to the Olympics.
It’s been a whirlwind few weeks for the defenseman, whose protracted trade saga ended just a few weeks ago when the Golden Knights dealt Zach White Cloud, a first-round pick, second-round pick and prospect Abram Webby to the Flames in exchange for his services.
“My family is still in Calgary, so obviously I won’t be able to see them for a little while,” Anderson said. “I’m lucky enough that my wife is flying here in a couple of days. It’s unfortunate that I can’t see my kids for about six weeks. This part is hard.”
Hallam did not name the goalkeeper for Sweden’s opening match on Wednesday against Italy.
“This has been a question almost all year, and yet I said which of the three goalkeepers we would choose for this group and for the Olympic team, and I am confident of facing any of them,” he said. “That’s still the feeling, but of course we’ve made our decision. We won’t announce that until (Wednesday).”
Team USA and Team Canada were out on Tuesday.
Canadians were seen attending short track speed skating, as their country won silver in the team mixed relay.
