William Nylander was drafted eighth overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs, 10 years ago. Time flies when you’re having fun.
The 28-year-old forward has often been through the wringer. As much as Nylander loves walking his dogs, his tenure with the Maple Leafs has been no easy stroll through the park.
From constant playoffs disappointments, to new voices behind the bench and in management, to becoming a beloved superstar, it’s been an interesting journey for Nylander. There was a previous contract dispute before he signed an eight-year extension in January, but he then missed three playoff games with a migraine. Frankly speaking, it hasn’t always been easy.
Nylander had no idea what to expect when he was drafted by the Leafs a decade ago. He didn’t necessarily realize the pressure that would come, or how passionate the fan base was — one that has largely come to embrace with him open arms.
Coming off a career season in 2023-24, Nylander showed off his entire toolbox. He started the year on a blazing 18-game point streak, which started in Toronto and made its way through the Global Series in Stockholm, Sweden. Last year was special for the Leafs’ forward. He was essentially the ‘King of Stockholm’ for a week, and while his point streak may have ended shortly after, it didn’t take long for the production to continue.
He finished the year with 40 goals and 98 points, but the most impressive part may have been his improvement defensively. Last season it seemed like a switch went off to be more involved and Nylander displayed his 200-foot game throughout the campaign. Then-head coach Sheldon Keefe noticed as well, playing Nylander almost a minute per game shorthanded, which tripled any previous year for the now two-way forward.
The Goal — 40 goals, 100 points, continue to improve without the puck
Nylander has potted 40 goals in back-to-back seasons and once again, that should be within reach. The more important part, however, is what Nylander’s doing without the puck. If his attention to detail defensively continues to evolve, the sky is the limit for the veteran forward.
With Craig Berube behind the bench and already flirting with the idea of playing the long-time winger at centre, it’s going to be fun to watch their relationship build throughout the year. For now, it seems to be an experiment that the coaching staff isn’t necessarily sold on.
Ahead of the Maple Leafs’ final preseason game, Berube met with the media and laid out where the conversation stands heading into the new season.
“I told Willy, keep banging away at it, keep working. Keep taking reps in practice. He needs to keep working on faceoffs, and keep working on positioning of a centremen, because it’s a very good option. But, right now, this is where I have the lines set right now,” Berube said.
For now, it appears Nylander will start on the wing of the second line, alongside John Tavares and Max Domi. Berube may have to lean on some of his forwards’ versatility throughout the season, as injuries or lack of production could creep their ugly heads into the picture. It’s a good problem to have when multiple forwards can play multiple positions. The new coach has made it clear to Nylander to kick off the new season, be more consistent with positioning without the puck, and eventually he’ll drive his own line from the middle of the ice.
The Expectation — Do whatever it takes to lead the Maple Leafs
After 603 regular season games, along with 54 more during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the goal at this point is simple – Stanley Cup or bust. While some fans may take just seeing a second-round series win, the Maple Leafs are dead smack in the middle of their window for success, and expectations are sky high.
There’s a lot of pressure on Nylander’s shoulders, along with the likes of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, Morgan Rielly, and of course, the rest of the supporting cast as well. But for the ‘core five’, it could potentially be the last hurrah together.
Nylander’s shown throughout his career, he can be called upon when the games matter the most. He battled through migraines last postseason and managed to score three goals in four games. He put up 10 points in 11 playoff games the year before. Essentially, he’s been a point-a-game player in the playoffs for four years.
Entering his first season of the biggest Maple Leafs’ contract in franchise history, the bar has been set. Regardless if it’s on the wing, or at centre, driving the second line or getting moved up to play with Matthews on the top line, Nylander has lofty expectations on his shoulders.
It will be fun to watch how Nylander evolves under Berube’s guidance. Will he break his career high of 32 hits last season? Will he block more than 29 shots throughout the regular season? We all know he’s going to produce offensively, but how he impacts the game when he doesn’t have the puck, is the most important aspect of Nylander’s 2024-25 season.
