Toronto Maple Leafs: Nylander Back at Centre

It looks like the Toronto Maple Leafs will once again try William Nylander at centre.

In a weird matinee tomorrow against the Hurricanes, the Toronto Maple Leafs appear set to give Nylander his second chance this season to play centre.  Of course, this more than likely depends on whether or not Auston Matthews plays, but that is how they lined up yesterday, according to multiple media reports.

As I’ve gone over – about a million times  in this column – Nylander as a centre very probably gives the Leafs the best 1-2-3 combo at centre in the NHL. Even with Tyler Bozak as the teams third line centre, the Leafs are crazy deep at centre, but Nylander succeeding in the role would take it to another level.  It may not be Crosby-Malkin-Staal, but it may end up being the closest anyone else has come to replicating such a lineup.

Nylander’s first run at centre (this year) was alright.  He set up a goal, which was nice, but otherwise didn’t do much. The Leafs as a team didn’t exactly have their best game that night, but Babcock still expected better.  The next game, Nylander was back at wing.

Long-Term

I think giving him another chance shows that this wasn’t just some one-off experiment. It shows the Leafs are committed to developing him into a centre.

Although I’d personally just like to see him permanently in the role, I do see how it can make sense to give him a chance, then give him a week or so to think about it before getting another one.

Then again, I firmly do not understand what is to be gained from only playing him for nine minutes at even strength on the fourth line, as was the case during Friday’s game in Detroit.  I am trying to see some method to Babcock’s strategy with Nylander, but I must admit: I am confused.

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The Toronto Maple Leafs are in a scoring slump, and so it just seems weird to limit your most offensively talented player (with Matthews out) to nine minutes.  I am sure there is a reason, I just can’t possibly see what it could be.

Perhaps Babcock was impressed with Nylander’s performance in limited ice time and that is why he’s going back to centre.  Perhaps he was going to go back regardless.  At this point I think I’m just going to completely give up on trying to make sense out of what Babcock is doing and just go with it.  He must know what he’s doing (I assume).

Bad Luck /Good Luck

Either way, I’d just like to see the guy score a goal. Nylander only got five so far this year, after getting 22 last year.  He is not playing poorly, however.  He is over 50% CF and he is shooting just 1.89%.  Anyone in the NHL should shoot a minimum of 7%,  so he has clearly been unlucky.  It’s not because he’s shooting from outside, it’s not because he’s not getting chances.  It’s simply bad luck. Players do not and can not control their shooting percentage.   William Nylander has been crazy unlucky.  Even if he was only taking low-percentage shots (he isn’t) he should still have more goals.

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Here is hoping the move to centre changes his luck.

stats from naturalstattrick.com