William Nylander's Maple Leafs position change may now be taking shape

With a true lack of right wingers, it seems more and more likely that the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to keep him there for the time being.

As the Toronto Maple Leafs look to make some more changes to their lineup, there is still a need for a top-six forward. There are some names available who could help out like Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko, plus there are potential trades to be made involving players like Steven Stamkos.

They don't have a ton of time and granted, they need to make a move to clear money out before bringing any in, but with some creativity and luck - they can get something figured out.

Toronto's right-wing shortage is going to force William Nylander to stick on the right side

The Maple Leafs should probably do something though to target not only a top-six forward but perhaps someone who is more comfortable playing on the right side because right now they don't really have anyone who can.

Sure, the team has a ton of wingers however naturally, they have none. The majority of the natural wingers are lefties, and there are guys like Jack Roslovic who can slide onto the right side but he's technically listed as a centre.

But one player who could fit the bill despite not naturally being a winger is William Nylander. Though a centre by trade (and a decent one all things considered), he's typically been on the wing for the majority of his career and has had a ton of success. Hockey Reference has him as a right winger, with only Easton Cowan listed as the other.

Looking at everywhere else though, it seems like Nylander on the right is the only move that makes sense. You're not sliding Tavares to the wing, nor are you switching things up for Gavin McKenna or Auston Matthews. Nylander is going to be glued to the right side all year.

What Toronto's options are for the right side besides Nylander

We mentioned above how Cowan was listed as a right-winger and there are still some people who fit that bill.

Patrick Kane, Eeli Tolvanen and Vladimir Tarasenko are all right-wingers who can help balance out the top-nine, with Kane being heavily linked to the Maple Leafs and has still not signed a contract yet for 2026-27.

We'll have to see what moves the team makes prior to the start of training camp, and there are always other things like PTO's that could help determine the new winger. We saw some success there with Steven Lorentz and Max Pacioretty in the past, so who knows who may come in and be a game-changer.

If you're looking at the AHL then perhaps the team could bring in the other Nylander kicking around the organization with Alex; Will's younger brother. But he isn't exactly a top-six player and is not looked at as part of the solution at the NHL level.

So right now it seems like the Maple Leafs need to make sure they find someone else they can stick on the right side, or you're going to have a few uncomfortable predicaments because you can't just have Nylander the only one who can suit up there without issues.

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