William Nylander needs to step his game up further to another level, according to Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube.
Craig Berube has made it clear that William Nylander needs to play better. After a strong start to this season, recent games have been a challenge for Nylander, who needs to prove he can break out of a slump.
Nylander has 23 goals and 43 points in 42 games this season for the Toronto Maple Leafs, but as Berube express, there is still more Nylander can do.
Nylander has failed to find offense as the calendar turns to 2025, with Nylander pointless in all four of the Leafs games this year, being goalless in his last eight.
William Nylander Asked To Do More By Leafs Head Coach Craig Berube
Joshua Kloke of The Athletic reported on Craig Berube’s thoughts regarding Nylander’s offensive struggles.
Berube expressed what he feels is wrong with Nylander’s game, and what he needs to do to revitalize himself and once again find his personal spark.
I think sometimes skilled players and scorers lose their confidence a little bit. And that’s what I see right now with Willie: a little bit of a lack of confidence.And for me, it’s talking to him about just working his way out of the situation. You can’t just relate to, ‘Well, I need a break.’ Work your way out, get your breaks, work for your breaks.
That’s the biggest thing for me is just get him back to work a little bit more. And being more tenacious on pucks and puck battles and things like that.
When he was scoring a lot, his puck battles were extremely high, and he was playing with more pace.
He’s just kind of not playing with the same pace right now.
The lack of confidence is a concern for Nylander, who at times has struggled with the pressure that comes from playing in Toronto, and is one more example of the potential concern that Nylander is dealing with a rough patch yet again.
Toronto Maple Leafs fans have noticed the struggles Nylander has been having in recent games.
Berube has not been afraid to call out players who aren’t doing well enough, and is pushing William Nylander to do more in order to break out of a major offensive slump.