Major Prediction On Maple Leafs Superstar Forward Will Turn Heads

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Austin Kelly
September 16, 2023 (2:45 PM)

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An NHL Analyst has made a stunning prediction for one of the Leafs top players, and it may come as a surprise.

Leafs Star Could Have Surprise Season

NHL Network Analyst and Former NHLer Mike Rupp discussed the future of Leafs Star William Nylander, speculating that the Forward could be ready to take an ever bigger step forward this upcoming season.

Rupp, speaking on NHL Network, which ranked Nylander as their 41st Ranked NHLer for the 2023-24 season, said that he believes Nylander has an "it-factor", seeing Nylander as a guy who's impact is key to Toronto's success.

"When they need something. He's [Nylander] is a guy who steps up, which means so much for me when I'm looking at players. And I think we're starting to see more and more that this guy can take over." - Mike Rupp

Rupp went on to give credit to Nylander, who has been overshadowed in the spotlight by fellow stars Auston Matthews & Mitch Marner, while Nylander has quietly been one of the league's top performers in his own right, with Rupp believing that Nylander could still become an even better player than he is right now.

"They have a stud here, that I think we haven't even seen how high he can go. I don't know what the ceiling is for William Nylander"

Nylander has consistently been one of the Leafs top players since he came into the league in the 2015-16 NHL season, being a full-time player the year after. His 87 Points this past season being a career-best for the Swede, along with a team-best 40 Goals, tied with Auston Matthews. Rupp very well may have a point that Nylander is blossoming more and more into a franchise player, and with Free Agency looming at the end of this season, Nylander could take his game even further as he proves he deserves as much attention as the rest of the Leafs deeply talented star roster.