William Nylander is playing tonight! The whole contract debacle ended Saturday at 4:57 PM and after hearing some things from Nylander and Kyle Dubas about the process, we wanted to know when he was going to play. And now we know.

It’s the ‘rust’ or ‘getting back up to speed’ factor concerning his first game back. Maybe the Leafs should’ve waited until Saturday and have Nylander make his season debut in Boston against his good buddy David Pastrnak. Perhaps they give him another couple of days and start him against the Hurricanes. You know, the team he was “almost” traded to.

But I’m all for playing him tonight. It’ll be a home game against the 22nd ranked Detroit Red Wings who are missing Trevor Daley, Evgeny Svechnikov, and Anthony Mantha to injuries while Tyler Betruzzi will be serving the last of his two-game suspension. Additionally, Nylander likes to have fun while playing Detroit as he has 4 goals and 5 assists in 10 career games against them.

Remember this one?

Plus, I think it’s also gotten to the point where Babcock is fed up of waiting given his comments after Tuesday night’s win in Buffalo.

Hopefully that happens, and hopefully it’s with Kasperi Kapanen on the left side so Arvind can have his early holiday wishes met.

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