Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander recently made some interesting comments about his performance and how he's not touching the puck enough.
William Nylander has been lighting up the score sheet so far this season. He has 10 goals and 11 assists for 21 points in the team's first 17 games.
Anytime a player is tracking above a point-per-game, you know that they are effective in the offensive zone. However, Nylander appears to be his harshest critic, and he feels as though something is missing this season.
According to TSN, Nylander believes he isn't touching the puck enough. While he acknowledges that he is producing, he simply feels as though the puck is not on his stick as much as it typically is. This is particularly true in the neutral zone and the offensive zone.
I feel like it's been a weird season in that way. I haven't had the puck nearly as much as I usually do in the neutral zone or offensive zone. I don't know exactly what that's coming down to, but it's something I'm trying to get sorted out.
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Nylander suggests he doesn't know the reason for this. It's something that is being worked on, and he hopes to get it figured out sooner rather than later.
While Nylander himself might not know the answer, his coach seems to. In comments to the media, Hiller was quite strong in his assessment of the forward. Simply put, he wants to see Nylander be responsible in the defensive zone and generate touches himself.
We've talked a lot about him maybe coming back for the puck a little bit more; maybe spending less time in the neutral zone waiting for the puck and more time in our own zone trying to be the guy who is the breakout outlet and is carrying it.
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William Nylander needs better linemates
On Tuesday, Nylander was playing on a line with Nick Paul and Dakota Joshua. This is simply not going to cut it if a player wants to get as many touches as possible.
Paul is a solid second-line center in John Tavares' absence. However, that is the crux of the issue. He is not John Tavares. As for Joshua, he's not the offensive player who is going to improve Nylander's situation.
Typically, Nylander would be playing with Tavares and Gavin McKenna. Once that starts happening again, then perhaps Nylander will start getting adequate touches.
Until then, Jim Hiller has to figure out how to put the right line combinations together with limited resources. It's not going to be easy, and the Leafs are under immense pressure to make something happen sooner rather than later.
With Tavares aiming to return soon, then perhaps the Maple Leafs will be able to rectify the problem.
Do you believe Toronto Maple Leafs fans should be worried about William Nylander?
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