As the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina get underway, a debate is raging among NHL analysts: Should the Toronto Maple Leafs pull William Nylander from the Olympic Games? The discussion intensified after Nylander missed practice with Team Sweden on Tuesday, casting doubt on his availability for their opening game against Italy.

Nylander is considered a game-time decision due to a nagging groin injury. According to TSN's Mark Masters, Sweden's coach, Sam Hallam, described Nylander's absence as a "maintenance thing," stating that Nylander felt sore after two full-ice practices. Hallam indicated that a final decision would be made closer to game time.

The uncertainty surrounding Nylander's condition has fueled concerns among analysts. On TSN OverDrive, Jeff O'Neill suggested the Maple Leafs should instruct Nylander to return home, emphasizing that if there's any question about his health, he should be done with the Olympics. Bryan Hayes alluded to the lack of transparency surrounding Nylander's injury, wondering if it's a minor issue or something more serious that could affect the Maple Leafs long-term.

Nylander's groin injury initially occurred on December 27 against the Ottawa Senators. He re-aggravated it on January 15 against the Vegas Golden Knights, causing him to miss seven games, the longest injury-related absence of his NHL career. He returned to the Leafs lineup on January 31 and played three games before the Olympic break, tallying one goal and three assists.

Despite the concerns, Hallam seemed optimistic, stating he wasn't "overly concerned" and that Nylander had looked sharp in practice. He added that giving Nylander a day off was a precautionary measure, considering the bigger games ahead. Nylander's teammate, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, downplayed the situation, saying, "I think he's fine". Ekman-Larsson also mentioned that he and Nylander are roommates in the Olympic Village.

Nylander's potential absence would be a significant blow to Team Sweden. He was projected to play on the top line with Joel Eriksson Ek and Adrian Kempe. Nylander's also been an alternate captain for Sweden at the 4 Nations Face-Off event last year. This season, he has 52 points in 40 games for the Maple Leafs, leading all Swedish Olympians in points per game.

Some analysts believe that even if Nylander plays, the Maple Leafs could face concerns after the Olympics. Elliotte Friedman suggested that players "hanging on by a thread" could be shut down by their NHL teams after the Games.

The Maple Leafs are currently outside the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference, making Nylander's health crucial for their playoff aspirations. The team's management will have to weigh the benefits of Nylander representing Sweden against the risk of further injury that could impact their season.

As of now, Nylander's status remains uncertain. Sweden will face Finland and Slovakia in the preliminary round. Every team will advance to the next stage of the tournament.