Toronto Maple Leafs star William Nylander has gradually become one of the NHL’s brightest stars. Beyond his exceptional skills and goal-scoring abilities, he’s also been consistent.
That consistency has become noticeable to fans and analysts across the league. Former NHLer Stu Grimson talked about Nylander’s consistent production on the NHL Network.
“His game is just that fluid,” Grimson said. “He may be among the smoothest players in the game today. Great offensive instincts.”
But “The Grim Reaper’s” positive reviews don’t stop there. He added:
“He too, blessed with just an incredible knack around the net. He has a great feel for the game. And just an offensive upside that many, many players would covet.”
While William Nylander’s offensive contributions are invaluable to the Toronto Maple Leafs, the consistency has set him apart from other star players in the NHL.
Grimson addressed the point by saying:
“He’s really been incredibly consistent. Adding to each season, in terms of his development, from one season to the next. … There are few players in the game today, every time they get a touch, they’re making a play happen. Or keeping the play alive, salvaging something out of nothing, very much the Nylander game.”
The Maple Leafs will need Nylander to be at the top of this game as the club heads into a crucial season where expectations are at an all-time high. Hopefully, Nylander and newly named captain Auston Matthews can lead the way as the Maple Leafs look to make a deep postseason run.
William Nylander is a top-10 winger according to The Hockey News
A recent ranking of the top 20 wingers in the NHL by The Hockey News saw Nylander ranked in the eighth spot. Fellow teammate Mitch Marner was ranked right behind him at tenth.
The list topped by Tampa Bay Lightning superstar Nikita Kucherov boasts an impressive list of the league’s top forwards.
The rationale behind Nylander’s top-10 placement is a reflection of his year-to-year improvement in goals, assists and total points. But as Stu Grimson pointed out, Nylander’s consistency has placed him in the top ten.
While Nylander registered better offensive numbers than other players ranked above him on the list, the lack of postseason success keeps Nylander from jumping higher on the list.
Nevertheless, the Hockey News points out that Nylander has been effective in the playoffs despite the team’s lack of postseason success.
In the upcoming season, Nylander’s new eight-year, $92 million kicks in. The Leafs Nation is hoping that he can live up to the contract, ensuring that Toronto made a wise investment in the Swedish winger.