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William Nylander: Is Shifting To Center A Good Move

By Tim Chiasson |
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Sep 23, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (62) skates against the Philadelphia Flyers during the second period at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

In this week’s roundtable we discuss William Nylander shifting to center for the 2015-2016 Toronto Marlies season.

Maple Leafs assistant GM – and Marlies GM – Kyle Dubas said a few weeks ago that William Nylander will line up down the middle for the 2015-2016 season.

So, this week’s roundtable is thoughts on William Nylander playing center for the Toronto Marlies.

Jon Stamos

As for Nylander, moving him to his natural position now that he’s had half a season(ish) to adjust to the smaller ice surface and the different style of play I think it’s a great move.

Playing center to start the season is only going to benefit his development going forward as I believe transitioning a player of his talent level will get him working on the skills required for playing center as it’s pretty obvious he’s already got the wing position down.

Next: David Chernish's Thoughts

Sep 24, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Chris Phillips (4) defends against Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (62) at the Air Canada Centre. Ottawa defeated Toronto 4-3 in an overtime shoot-out. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

David Chernish

I believe William Nylander will play centre this year because the Maple Leafs need to know what they have. If Nylander can put up big points this year as a centre in the AHL, imagine in 3 years in the NHL, when he is most likely 6’0 190 lbs at 22 years old and 1st line centre with more knowledge of the centre position.

What’s the worst that could happen with him being a centre this year? The organization finding out he’s better suited as a winger that’s a sniper?

Even on the wing Nylander still has the potential to put up 70-80 pts per year at the NHL level. The keyword there: potential. Since the Leafs lucked out of getting Dylan Strome they still need a centre.

Maybe William Nylander is the answer, they will only know if they try.

Next: Robb Ellis' Thoughts

Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; William Nylander poses for a photo with team officials after being selected as the number eight overall pick to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Robb Ellis

I think it’s important to look at William Nylander’s background when answering this question. The 42 combined regular season and playoff games Nylander played on the wing with the Marlies last season were an anomaly. His natural position is centre.

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He was drafted as a centreman. His bio at hockeydb.com lists him as a centerman. Before moving to North America in January, Nylander had 20 points in 21 games with MODO of the Swedish Hockey League as a centerman.

With that being said, there are other reasons why Nylander will play centre on the Marlies next season. As I mentioned in last week’s Monday Morning Leaf Points column, Leafs’ assistant general manager Kyle Dubas said as much in an interview less than two weeks ago at Prospect’s Camp.

Playing Nylander on wing would be a waste of the 19-year olds strengths as a player. He’s a slick skater who handles the puck well. His playmaking abilities scream “i’m a center!” For Nylander to perform at his best he needs to handle the puck A LOT and the open ice to skate with it. He won’t get those opportunities on the wing.

The Toronto Maple Leafs haven’t had a true number 1 center since another swede left town 7 years ago. It would be a shame if they had one in the organization and didn’t give him the chance to prove it.

Next: Tim Chiasson's Thoughts

Sep 23, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (62) skates against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Tim Chiasson

Still searching for a top line centerman, and not being guaranteed to be getting Auston Matthews at the 2016 NHL Draft, shifting William Nylander to center is a great idea.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have absolutely nothing to lose.

Nylander has the hockey sense to be a great center and if the Toronto Maple Leafs can find their guy from within the system then they’ll be able to set themselves up even more without even drafting, trading for, or signing another player.

The worst case scenario is that Nylander will go back to being a top-six projected winger – and there’s nothing wrong with that either.

There isn’t a person within the Toronto Maple Leafs organization that hasn’t liked what they’ve seen of William Nylander since he’s been drafted. That includes his time in Sweden before coming to the Marlies.

With nothing to lose, and only significant strides to gain, moving Nylander to center is a fantastic idea.

Next: Connor Brown: A Diamond In The Rough

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