Nylander will become just the second player to wear No. 88 for the Maple LeafsGETTY IMAGES
Maple Leafs RW William Nylander is "swapping numbers -- trading in 29 for 88," and he will "cover the cost for fans to get their jerseys recrested with his new digits at the Leafs' official team store," according to the CP. Nylander posted a picture of himself "wearing No. 88 when he played for Modo in the Swedish Hockey League" to his verified Twitter account (CP, 7/15). In Toronto, Emma Sandri noted fans looking to take him up on the deal "can bring their jersey into Real Sports Apparel in Toronto anytime before Dec. 15 to get it done for free." Nylander will "become just the second player to wear No. 88" for the Maple Leafs (THESTAR.com, 7/15). THE HOCKEY NEWS' Ken Campbell wrote Nylander's decision is "totally confirming the notion that even when Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment gives money away," as they did by extending his contract in December of last year, "it ends up coming right back to them" (THEHOCKEYNEWS.com, 7/15).
