Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube might spark controversy with his potential decision about William Nylander
Photo credit: HTR
William Nylander has thrived on the wing for the Toronto Maple Leafs after two consecutive 40-goal seasons, but could a role change be looming?
Last season, the Toronto Maple Leafs considered moving William Nylander to the center position, but ultimately, they kept him on the second-line wing alongside former captain John Tavares. However, recent discussions have reignited the possibility of Nylander transitioning to center once more for the 2024/25 season.
This topic resurfaced after a report from The Athletic's Jonas Siegel suggested that the Leafs should reconsider Nylander as a center, even if it's just for the pre-season.
Siegel shared his thoughts on TSN 1050's First Up, offering his perspective on how the Maple Leafs should address their center depth issues.
"Give William Nylander another look at center and try to go with Matthews, Nylander and Tavares. There's three centers. Like, I think it just makes sense and it's something I've been working out in my head and I have a hunch that I'm going to be right because I don't see a better option.
Tell me what the better option is like? Do you want to go back to David Kampf as the third center? Do you want to have Max Domi as your third center? This gives them an opportunity to build some depth through three lines. I think it's the best play long term honestly to see if this can work. Suddenly, if you make Nylander a center and it works, now you've got your two top centers for the next five years, you have Matthews signed for 4, so that's at least four years."
Tell me what the better option is like? Do you want to go back to David Kampf as the third center? Do you want to have Max Domi as your third center? This gives them an opportunity to build some depth through three lines. I think it's the best play long term honestly to see if this can work. Suddenly, if you make Nylander a center and it works, now you've got your two top centers for the next five years, you have Matthews signed for 4, so that's at least four years."
Despite the renewed conversation, Nylander's performance last season makes a position change seem unlikely. No. 88 had a career year in 2023/24, scoring over 40 goals for the second straight season and recording an impressive 98 points, one analyst noted. His playmaking ability from the wing has made him one of the NHL's top offensive threats, and forcing a change at this point in his career could disrupt the team's chemistry.
Toronto's coaching staff, led by Craig Berube, will have to weigh the pros and cons of moving Nylander to center, especially considering his performance on the wing. For now, it's a debate that will likely only see action in the pre-season. If Tavares remains reliable as the 2C, there may be no need to change what's already working.
| POLL | ||
12 SEPTEMBRE | 256 ANSWERS Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube might spark controversy with his potential decision about William Nylander Do you believe the Toronto Maple Leafs should consider shifting William Nylander to center? | ||
| Yes | 136 | 53.1 % |
| No | 120 | 46.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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