Toronto Maple Leafs 2019-20 Player Expectations and Forecasts

William Nylander

Age:  23

Role:  First Line Right Wing.

Last Season: Nylander held out until December, and when he returned he was bounced around the lineup, playing 200 minutes with five different forwards, but no more than 270 minutes with any single player.

Despite only posting seven goals and 27 assists, Nylander was the least best possession player and play driving, posting a 56% Corsi.

Additionally when the Leafs had Nylander on the ice, they had over 50% of the shot-attempts, shots, scoring chances and goals.  Essentially, they were a winning team with him on the ice.

Nylander’s most common linemate was Kadri, and while they posted a phenomenal 58% possession rating when paired, they were the Leafs two lowest ranked players on the team for both individual and on-ice shooting percentage.

Interesting Fact: In their three years in the NHL, Matthews and Nylander are each other’s most common linemate. (All stats naturalstattrick.com).

Matthews and Nylander Together: 53.07 CF%

Nylander without Matthews:  52.12 CF%

Matthews without Nylander: 49.92%

*Drops Mic*

Expectations: To play on the first line, to score over a point per game and be an NHL leader in play driving and scoring chance creation.

Nylander is so good that a scoring tile in a season where Matthews scores 65 goals is not outside the realm of possibility.  You heard it here first kids.

What He Needs to Meet Expectations: He needs to play with Matthews on the power-play as well as at even-strength.