from Luke Fox of Sportsnet,

Somewhat lost in the Leafs’ blowouts this week is the fact that William Nylander was essentially a non-factor in a pair of games ripe for the Leafs’ most significant mid-season addition to gather some points and, more importantly, some confidence.

After skipping training camp and the first 28 games of the season, the 22-year-old with the (temporary) $10.28-million salary cap hit has mustered just a pair of assists and taken eight minutes in penalties. He’s failed to get on the scoreboard in six of his seven appearances, and if anything, his progress took a step back this week.

Despite skating on Toronto’s rather good third line, Nylander failed to register a shot in Thursday’s 6-1 party over the Panthers. His ice time fell from Tuesday’s light load of 13:09 to a season-low 11:37 — and it would be difficult to scream, “Unfair!”

While the other Leafs forwards buzzed and checked and dangled and sniped, Nylander whiffed on a wide-open net — gifted to him by a Globetrotters-esque pass from Connor Brown. And during a prolonged first-period possession cycle by Toronto in the O-zone, Nylander bobbled the puck at the blue line and temporarily coughed up momentum.

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