William Nylander isn't giving up on himself despite a lack of opportunity and admitted that he needs to learn to be better - a hopeful sign for Maple Leafs fans.
There's been a lot of criticism directed at William Nylander recently for his lack of effort, and his latest performance against Colorado won't win him any brownie points.
But he's still one of the team's most dangerous players and he can be a game-changer at any minute, it's just that fans want to see a bit more effort put in in is own end, and instead of waiting for his chances - make them himself.
Nylander admits his off-puck ability needs to improve
Nylander knows that he needs to be better and admitted that while he's not necessarily in a slump, he's not getting the chances he's used to.
While he needs to take some accountability there, he also knows that he needs to be better when he doesn't have the puck:
Got to try to get the puck more on my stick. I'm skating around there with no puck on my stick, so that makes it hard to generate. But trying to work without the puck, that's what you can do when you don't have the puck on your stick.
He still has elite production with 22 points in 20 games and tied for first on the team in goals, but he could have so much more if he put in a bit more effort.
It's great that Nylander is taking some responsibility in understanding he needs to be better off the puck, but he needs to show it. Multiple times this season he's strayed behind while opponents take advantage and against Colorado it was egregious.
Nylander has to prove he wants to be better, not just say it
He was a minus-4 with no shots, and skated haphazardly in his own zone, leaving Gabriel Landeskog all alone without even a sniff of competition. It's a tough watch at times, and for all Nylander's good - he often brings frustration.
He can say whatever he wants about doing things off the puck but he needs to show it and show it quick. Fans are already getting tired of praising Nylander one moment and bashing him the next. There needs to be consistency all around.
You'd be shocked to hear but Nylander is a better defensive forward than he gets credit for, and his elite stick-checking doesn't get nearly as much usage as it should. He's so quick to stick-lift, steal the puck and transition back that it's a mystery why he's not being more active.
If he wants his chances, he's going to need to start making them himself and that involves getting a bit more proactive in his own end - no matter how much it pains him to do so.
Do you think William Nylander is going to improve defensively this season for the Maple Leafs?
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