"We hope to get him back of course," Matthews said before scoring twice in a 5-3 win against the San Jose Sharks. "He's a big part of this team. The clock's kind of ticking. Hopefully that gets resolved because everyone obviously wants him here. Us as players and knowing Willy, he wants to be here too."
Nylander, who has been working out in Europe, will be ineligible to play in the NHL this season if he does not sign prior to 5 p.m. ET on Saturday. The 22-year-old forward tied his NHL career high with 61 points (20 goals, 41 assists) with the Maple Leafs last season. He had four points (one goal, three assists) in seven Stanley Cup Playoff games.
He was third on the Maple Leafs in points last season behind Mitchell Marner (69) and Matthews (63).
Toronto coach Mike Babcock said he still believes it is a matter of when, not if, Nylander will sign a contract. Babcock has repeatedly said during the past week that he expects the forward back by Saturday and reiterated that point Wednesday.
"Willy's a good player and he's in good shape and has great edges and can skate," Babcock said. "I've got no reason to think anything, but I just believe Willy likes it here, we love him here, and that's a big part of it. And so, we think he's going to be back, we think he'll be up and running in a couple of weeks, and we're going to play him when he's back."
Nylander skated with the U-20 junior team of Swedish club AIK on Wednesday. Anders Gozzi, general manager AIK IF in Sweden, told TSN Radio 1050 Toronto that Nylander is in midseason form.
"I think he looks ready, ready to play," Gozzi said. "He looks good.
"William lives in Stockholm, and his father, (former NHL player) Michael [Nylander], has played in AIK and his brother (Buffalo Sabres prospect Alexander Nylander) as well," Gozzi said. "So it was no problem for us to take him in to the junior team."
