Nylander was always a center until he played in NHL.

Leafs have a couple options; Nylander can move to center, Marner could too, Kerfoot or Spezza could be promoted. However I think it is very likely he will have recovered by then. The recovery rate for people in their 20's is like over 98% and Matthews is in peak physical condition.

In a situation like you are mentioning, even though I believe he is asymptomatic (and let's throw hate at Steve Simmons), I think the Leafs run centers as Tavares-Spezza-Kerfoot-Engvall/Gauthier. The sample size is small with Nylander playing center, and I am not saying he can't play it, but it seems his overall game is much better when he has less to worry about on the ice positionally, and the center position is significantly more demanding than that of a winger.

If Matthews is out, it doesn't matter what the lines are, because they're going out in three games regardless.

Or five...CBJ's gonna take it.

Jones is confirmed healthy, even if Matthews is fine it won't be easy for Toronto now

I think CBJ is a great spoiler candidate in that series. That's not a team you want to come in cold against. I actually think they have a good shot at winning even if Matthews plays.

Yep. I had to put money on it, I'd bet for CBJ. I think their package just works better. They were just as competitive as their opposition with 9 players sidelined at the same time, few of them being significant assets as well.

If star players can't play there will not be playoffs. End of story, even now I think it's pretty much not going to happen. It was a long shot to begin with and President Cheetos has done everything in his power to **** it all up.

Star players miss the Playoffs every year because of injury in every sport. There will be a Playoffs for this season, there is too much money on the line with the TV contracts for it not to happen.

The world revolves around Auston Matthews, didn't you know?

Thats not how it works at all, Ryan Johansen was i jured in the finals vs Pittsburgh 3 years ago, should they have delayed the finals for him to get healthy?

We are talking about a pandemic here. Many players have tested positive and unless that just stops, playoffs are out of the question.

No they will just not be able to participate until they are medically cleared.

The NBA already put out the roadmap to it with their Disney Playoffs: Put them all in a bubble, let nobody in or out of that bubble. If someone breaks that bubble rule then they are out.

This will be the healthiest start to the Playoffs due to everyone having time off to heal up nagging injuries and/or recover from major ones. Besides the NHL (players and owners) need the tv money so the games will be played.

Are you seriously treating a ****ing pandemic like a pulled grown? None of this is like a guy getting hurt. The playoffs are highly unlikely to happen.

I think then the league should make Canada the location for both hub cities and maybe there is a chance.

Doesn't matter which cities they choose really as long as the protocols are followed. If it wasn't for the huge mall next to the Panthers arena that would be an ideal spot, there is nothing else there.

I'd like to the the Hub cities be Detroit and Buffalo. No reason for any local fans to show up or any perceived "home ice advantage" for any club.

If I included Playoff cities Winnipeg/AZ and FLA would be my choices. There isn't a whole lot to do to make players think about breaking protocol.

The US handling of the pandemic has been pathetic, Canada has far less cases, better leadership and ample facilities.

Well the fact that Matthews was reported to have it is flawed. That's confidential, every other team has just said "x amount of players." Colorado could have had their entire top line effected and we wouldn't know. You involve a name and it makes it significantly more relevant. They wont cancel the season because of 1 case with a name. Matthews will recover and be game ready by the time it all starts. people are just blowing whistles because some idiot said who was infected.

Of course but the suggestion that they will go on with playoffs even if players are sick is laughable.