‘We’ve all seen his growth’
How Nylander has matured and evolved over 600 games with Toronto
When the Maple Leafs drafted William Nylander eighth in 2014, the franchise was in a different place. The Phil Kessel-era team had missed the playoffs thanks to a 212-0 run down the stretch.
But Nylander represented hope. He was a speedy skater, a crafty playmaker and a decent goal-scorer. He could, however, lose his way defensively and it sometimes felt like he wasn’t fully engaged in the game.
Some fans wondered how high his ceiling was, certain he would hit elite status. But he had his detractors and seemed to be the popular choice among the Leafs’ Core Four to be traded for a defenceman or a goalie or cap space, whatever the need of the day was deemed to be.
Those days have passed. Nylander is hitting game No. 600 on Thursday when the Leafs host New Jersey, and it’s hard to imagine the team without him.
“The way he started the season got us through some tough times,” Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said. “And that just goes to show that on any given night he’s the player for us. Not just one of the guys, but a lot of nights he has been the player and that’s great to see.”
Nylander took a moment earlier in the week to reflect on how he’s grown.
“From when you come in, and as you grow older, every aspect of your game gets better,” he said. “You were one kind of player when you came in. More so now offensively. But better defensively is probably one of the steps I’ve taken.”
He laughed when he said “better defensively.”
One thing about Nylander is he has a dry sense of humour, especially about himself. Two years ago when he was moved to the third line, he said: “I was joking about that with the boys — if you want minus, come play with me,” he said.
But he’s a regular now killing penalties and plays a slightly more physical game.
“We’ve all seen his growth,” captain John Tavares said. “The big thing is the consistency. He plays a more physical game than he did when he first came in. His ability to play in traffic, how strong he is on his edges, how powerful he is, his ability to strip pucks, win battles, they’re all getting to another level.
“He’s become a more well-rounded player.”
Nylander is 23rd in career games played for the Leafs with Sid Smith’s 601 the next on the list to fall. He’ll pass Wendel Clark’s 608 early next season when his new eight-year, $92-million (U.S.) contract kicks in.
He is 13th in all-time team scoring with 526 points in 599 games and should hit the top 10 next season, joining teammates Auston Matthews (sixth, 646) and Mitch Marner (eighth, 633).
And he’s on the cusp of his first 100-point season, though he has just one point in his past five games. He has a believer in Keefe.
“He’s always had the ability to be a game-breaker and make plays,” Keefe said.
“He’s just done it with greater consistency,” the coach added. “The older he’s gotten, the more experience that he’s gotten and, as he’s found more consistency, his importance to the team has grown that much more.”