Rasmus Bergqvist

While Maple Leafs winger William Nylander was able to get back in Toronto’s lineup before the Olympics, he hasn’t been practicing fully with Sweden at the Olympics.  That has led to speculation that the lingering groin issue he has been dealing with is still bothering him.  As Michael Traikos of The Hockey News relays, the veteran winger indicated that while he’s managing the injury, he’s feeling good at the moment.  Nylander has a goal and an assist in three games so far with the Swedes wrapping up preliminary round action earlier today.  That has to be encouraging for Toronto as they’ll need him at his best if they’re going to have any shot at trying to close the gap in the Atlantic Division to get back into the playoff picture.

More from the Atlantic:

• Sabres goalie Devon Levi acknowledged to Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times Herald that he no longer feels rushed anymore when it comes to his development. Buffalo put him straight into a late-season playoff chase in 2022 but since then, he has struggled at the NHL level.  This season, the team had him take a step back as he has played exclusively with AHL Rochester and has done well, posting a 2.57 GAA with a .910 SV% in 32 appearances.  Even with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen currently injured, Buffalo will need to have another netminder go down with an injury before Levi becomes a viable option to be recalled this season.
• Canadiens prospect Rasmus Bergqvist has been loaned from the SHL to Ostersunds of the second-tier Allsvenskan, per a team announcement from SHL Skelleftea. The 20-year-old has been a regular with Skelleftea this season while picking up four assists in 37 games, albeit with diminishing ice time.  The hope is that the drop to the lower level will allow Bergqvist to play a bigger role while maintaining eligibility to be recalled later in the season or into the playoffs.