William Nylander lining up down the middle? How a bold move could pay off for the Maple Leafs this season
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Coming off back to back 40-goal seasons, William Nylander has enjoyed a bevy of success on the wing for the Toronto Maple Leafs; but could a position change be in his future?
The Toronto Maple Leafs are currently in the midst of figuring out who is going to line up on the wings this season, with the saga of Nick Robertson and the signing of Max Pacioretty, things are slowly starting to take shape. Down the middle however, it feels like a different story. Besides Auston Matthews and John Tavares, the Maple Leafs are lacking down the middle. Sure, Max Domi works in a pinch, but relying on David Kampf seems like a tough task.
Jonas Siegel of The Athletic has a different approach to things: Move Willy Styles to the middle.
Siegel spoke to TSN 1050's First Up and gave his thoughts on what he believes the Maple Leafs should do in regards to their lack of center depth.
"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."
The switch to center could make sense for Nylander as he owns a career faceoff percentage over 50% which could bode well for the Maple Leafs down the line, especially come playoff time.
William Nylander posted another 40-goal season last year to go along with 58 assists which left him just shy of the 100-point plateau; something Nylander is destined to hit in due time.
Given Toronto has tried to shore up their winger depth and only signed Steven Lorentz to a PTO; a move to the middle may just be the ingredient needed for the recipe to achieve Lord Stanley's Cup.
Source: TSN 1050 First Up
TSN 1050 First Up: Hour 3
TSN 1050 First Up: Hour 3
Hockey Reference:
William Nylander Statistics
William Nylander Statistics
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 12 | 165 ANSWERS William Nylander lining up down the middle? How a bold move could pay off for the Maple Leafs this season Do you think the Toronto Maple Leafs should move William Nylander to center? | ||
| Yes | 78 | 47.3 % |
| No | 70 | 42.4 % |
| Only if injuries | 16 | 9.7 % |
| Only in Playoffs | 1 | 0.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
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