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Will William Nylander playing center for Toronto Maple Leafs be a failure?
The Toronto Maple Leafs could experiment with William Nylander at the center once again. In a recent piece published on September 17, The Athletic’s Jonas Siegel explores the possibility of moving William Nylander back to center this upcoming season.
The reasoning behind the move is the lack of a legitimate second-line center behind team captain Auston Matthews. When Sheldon Keefe took over from Mike Babcock, the Toronto Maple Leafs moved John Tavares from the top line to the second line behind Matthews.
However, Tavares’ declining play has called his effectiveness in question. As such, there is concern that Tavares is no longer capable of being a solid second-line center for a team looking to win a Stanley Cup. As such, the Maple Leafs have a clear need for someone to fill the void behind Matthews.
It’s worth noting that Nylander was originally drafted as a center. However, the Leafs felt that playing William Nylander on the wing was more suitable for his development. Eventually, Nylander found his role alongside Tavares on the Leafs’ second line.
It’s also important to mention that this isn't be the first time Toronto has experimented with Nylander at center. During the 2023-24 preseason, Nylander struggled with added defensive responsibilities that comes with the center position. As a result, fans and analysts called Nylander’s overall play into question. The criticism forced the Leafs to move Nylander back to the wing.
William Nylander’s move to center could work out this time
Throughout his career, Nylander has been criticized for his lack of effort on the defensive side of the puck. There are countless plays in which Nylander seems to give up on the backcheck, often leaving his teammates out to dry.
But it’s also true that Nylander’s game has evolved as he’s matured. Nylander is no longer an inexperienced rookie learning the ropes at the NHL level. He’s an experienced top-six forward who can take over a game seemingly at will.
As such, a move to the center could work this time. The key will be for the Leafs’ coach Craig Berube to place a defensively responsible winger alongside Nylander. For instance, a hardworking player like Bobby McMann could provide Nylander the support he needs on the defensive side of the game.
With Nylander at center, the Leafs could try Nick Robertson and possibly Calle Jarnkrok to solidify the defensive aspect of the Leafs’ second line.
Ultimately, Nylander’s move to center could become a significant difference-maker for the Toronto Maple Leafs. William Nylander could solve the Leafs’ need for a second-line center while allowing Berube to move Tavares down to the third line.
If that’s the plan, the Leafs could go from being thin at center to having one of the most enviable center-depth situations in the NHL.
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