Nick Robertson faces media after injuring William Nylander and gets backlash for comments

Toronto Maple Leafs star forward William Nylander did not return to th preseason game against the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday after exiting with a head injury. He did not return to the contest for what the team called precautionary reasons, though it was clear that Nylander was unwell after falling and hitting his head on Habs’ Christian Dvorak’s knee. Nylander was back-checking on the play when teammate Nick Robertson attempted pushed him with his stick into the zone, which knocked him off balance. Nylander remained down initially before leaving the ice under his own power and heading straight to the dressing room.

“It’s unfortunate, I was trying to give him a little boost there and it is what it is.” Adding: “I talked to him and he’s doing good, we’ll see how he is for the next few days.”

After scoring the game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory over the Habs, Robertson faced media and had to answer questions about the play in which Nylander was injured.

During the intermission following the play, Nick Kypreos criticized the play and ripped Robertson apart for his decision to shove his teammate, calling it “bush league.”

When facing media, Robertson said he felt “like the elephant in the room” having contributed to Nylander injury but is grateful Willy seems okay - and he scored.

It was later announced after the game by head coach Craig Berube that there was nothing to worry about when it comes to Nylander, per David Alter.

“He’ll be fine. Nothing to worry about.”

However, fans were unimpressed with Robertson’s postgame comments and some even demanded he be traded. This isn't the first time trade talk attacks the young forward, who even at one point wanted out of Toronto. 

Earlier this month, Robertson was resigned a one year deal worth $875,000, though that did not shut down all the trade rumours surrounding him. During the summer, Leafs GM Brad Treliving scoured the market for a trade but was unable to find anything worthwhile in exchange for Robertson. Upon resigning him, Treliving explained how Robertson would need to “earn his stripes.”

And that unfortunate incident probably didn't help...