from Chris Johnston of Sportsnet,

William Nylander may not end up being the trailblazer we once thought he’d be.

For it’s hard to imagine any potential Group 2 free agent watching how these last few months have unfolded for the 22-year-old Swede and willingly choosing to skate a mile in his boots. It’s just been hard, plain and simple.

First the extended contract standoff with the Toronto Maple Leafs — which, for the sake of clarity, should be viewed just as much a failing of management as the player himself — and then the least productive stretch of hockey Nylander’s ever had.

And now, a stint on the fourth line during Friday’s 3-1 loss to the Florida Panthers, which is about the last place Mike Babcock wants to put a talented winger who is pulling in more than $53,000 per day this season and due to receive an additional $8.3-million signing bonus on July 1.

“The bottom line is we don’t want Willy on the fourth line. We want Willy being a contributor for our hockey club,” said Babcock. “He’s an honest kid and usually puts in a good effort. He’ll continue to work at it. He’s never been through anything probably like this before, it’s tough catching up as you can see.”

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