Nylander and Rielly give heartfelt thoughts on Salming's legacy and how special it is to have him back in Toronto

It was an emotional start to the Leafs and Penguins game as the Leafs welcomed Borje Salming back in what could be his last visit to Toronto. Salming was diagnosed with ALS at the start of the season and his ability to travel was up in the air until earlier this week when his doctors gave him the "all clear". Salming received a standing ovation from the Leafs faithful that lasted more than a minute and led to many people tearing up including Salming and Nylander.

"It was emotional. He was very nice to me whenever I spoke to him when I first got to Toronto and whenever I saw him. It's very hard to see. He was the first guy to make his way over and lead the way with his toughness and being a leader. He represents a lot of Swedes and he's done a tremendous job. It's just so sad seeing him go through what he's going through. It's a special moment I will always remember," said Nylander when asked about Salming's legacy.

As a Swede, Salming's influence has been huge as Nylander said he was the first to come to North America and paved the way for other Swedes to join the NHL.

It's not just the Swedes that appreciate what Salming did. Morgan Rielly also commented on Salming's legacy saying, "That was a pretty special moment to have him back in the building. As a D-man playing for this team, his name is one that I really admired and he's a person I really look up to."


It was truly a special moment for Leaf fans, hockey fans the Salming family and Salming himself to be able to participate in tonight's festivities and we wish him all the best in his fight with ALS.