John Tavares Shares Powerful Words on William Nylander After Tough Stretch

The start of the NHL season has not gone poorly for William Nylander, but has not gone the way Craig Berube would have liked, having expected more out of his star winger.

The 29-year-old has had a solid start with a goal and four points in his first three games, but has struggled to create scoring chances with just three shots on goal so far this season, his only goal coming on an empty net.

Nylander has also emerged as a real goal scoring threat with three consecutive 40-goal seasons, even more needed last season when Auston Matthews was out.

Craig Berube said he has spoken to William Nylander about his slow start on the offensive end, but there is still a confidence that Nylander can get back on track as he has in the past.

Speaking on William Nylander's struggles to shoot the puck, John Tavares issued praise for his linemate and his ability to rebound as a player, and being able to get his game back on track when he's challenged for more.

Nylander is the not the only Leaf who will need to get more going, the whole roster could use some improvements in putting the puck in the back of the net, and it doesn't start and end with just one player.

Only one Leaf has multiple goals on the season, Calle Jarnkrok with three. For a player like Jarnkrok who was nearly left off the Leafs roster, if they had lost him, it would have been a much greater disaster in the goal department.

Auston Matthews leads all Maple Leafs in shots on goal with 15, with Morgan Rielly second with 11, but both have found the net only one so far this season.

Matias Maccelli has just two shots despite having played on the top line, with Tavares himself having just four; it's a stark contrast from the let it fly attitude we've seen in years past.

The Leafs have a much greater problem than just not being able to score, they're not burying their chances and it's causing them to struggle further.

Despite multiple scoring opportunities each night, a large majority of the team aren't getting their shots to connect, and those who aren't shooting are among those in the Leafs top-six.

It's an uncomfortable position for the Toronto Maple Leafs to be in right now, not having players who, despite multiple chances to score, aren't doing so, and players who should be shooting aren't doing so, with the rest of the team not able to make up despite trying.

Two things will have to happen, players like William Nylander will have to step up and shoot the puck, but depth pieces will need to get their shot going and be the support the Leafs need to win.

Otherwise, we're in for a long, frustrating season.