Nylander Is Establishing Himself As Maple Leafs Most Dynamic Player Without Matthews' Contribution

William Nylander/USA TODAY SportsMost people who have followed the Toronto Maple Leafs over the past 10 years would likely identify Auston Matthews, center and captain, as their greatest player. As Matthews recovers from an upper-body injury, other members must step up in his absence and lead by example. Mitch Marner remains Toronto’s elite right wing, but Grade-A talent William Nylander has been its most dynamic player so far this season. Nylander scored another spectacular goal Saturday against Montreal – marking 11 for the year and placing him into a tie with Florida’s Sam Reinhart and Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov for first among NHL goal scorers this year. Nylander is on track to score 56 goals this season – surpassing his current career-best of 40 goals scored each of the past two years combined. Though his experiment to use Nylander at center didn’t last for too long, Nylander regularly looks engaged and energetic while creating space and time for himself and his teammates is unsurpassed. Though there have been legitimate criticisms directed against him over his 10-year NHL career. Over time, Nylander has sometimes struggled with maintaining consistency and determination at both ends of the ice, leaving his coaches scrambling when he becomes disinterested during games. His coaches may also have voiced frustration that their star forward has become less engaged during certain matches. Under new Buds coach Craig Berube, however, Nylander now seems to understand what coaches and teammates are telling him to do. Nylander has established himself on Toronto’s second line and first power-play unit as one of their cornerstones, earning his $11.5-million annual salary with Puck Pedia ratcheting up expectations that have not only been met but exceeded. At times he can get too confident and turn over pucks – however this shouldn’t take away from how responsible and accountable he really is! Nylander finished eighth among Toronto Leafs players last season in terms of giveaways (45), while this season he’s tied for fifth (13 giveaways total). At his best, he utilizes elite speed, impeccable vision, and outstanding creativity to keep possession in Toronto’s possession. He seems more at ease each year he gets older, with confidence growing alongside it. Also notable, Nylander seems resigned to playing in Leafs Land’s high-pressure environment; we don’t recall ever seeing him shying away from media after an unfortunate Buds loss! Without question, Nylander appears before cameras and microphones day in and day out – something Toronto needs more of. At present, Nylander appears in his prime; we expect him to remain just as capable in coming years. Nylander was chosen eighth overall when selected by Toronto; today we would likely place him third-overall after Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl and Boston’s David Pastrnak. Nylander remains key in helping his Buds team succeed in the Stanley Cup playoffs, yet has already shown progress each year and become a formidable offensive threat with an arsenal of shots on net that rivals any player on any other squad. No doubt about it: Nylander is an undoubtable superstar! Toronto needs him at his best if they hope to remain near the top of the Atlantic Division, but there has been every indication he’s up to the challenge. Nylander may still have more to give as an elite level player for Toronto Leafs; even if he does not improve beyond where his game currently stands, Toronto will keep him as a valuable foundational piece and needle mover until further notice. Subscribe to The Hockey News newsletter here, or share your opinions by commenting directly below articles posted at THN.com or through visiting our forum!