Toronto Maple Leafs: Ideal Lineup Once William Nylander Returns

CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 07: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs reacts to the crowd after the Leafs scored against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on October 7, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 07: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs reacts to the crowd after the Leafs scored against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on October 7, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images)
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DALLAS, TX – OCTOBER 09: (L-R) Morgan Rielly #44, Auston Matthews #34, Nazem Kadri #43, John Tavares #91 and Mitchell Marner #16 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrate the second goal of the game by Matthews against the Dallas Stars in the second period at American Airlines Center on October 9, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – OCTOBER 09: (L-R) Morgan Rielly #44, Auston Matthews #34, Nazem Kadri #43, John Tavares #91 and Mitchell Marner #16 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrate the second goal of the game by Matthews against the Dallas Stars in the second period at American Airlines Center on October 9, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The Toronto Maple Leafs are doing just fine without William Nylander at the moment. But when he returns, it will help elevate an already strong lineup.

The 2018-19 season is now well underway and the Toronto Maple Leafs have had a pretty good start to their season. They are currently one of the top teams in the NHL over two weeks into the season despite the absence of William Nylander.

It’s been well-documented that the contract negotiations have taken longer than anticipated with many Leafs fans beginning to grow worried it won’t work out after all. Rest assured, Nylander will re-sign with the team in due time and should help boost the already strong lineup currently in place.

The forward and defence group has been more or less the same so far this year, while the goaltending situation has been well-established since Day 1. Adding Nylander to this group presents Mike Babcock and the coaching staff with some creative thinking given how the active players have faired so far.

So then, what should the Leafs lineup look like once Nylander finally joins the team? Let’s take a look.