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Toronto Maple Leafs Roundtable: Most Likely To Have A Breakout Season

By Wilbert Timmermans

TORONTO, ONTARIO - OCTOBER 7: Matt Martin #15 and Mitchell Marner #16 of the Toronto Maple Leafs smile during player introductions prior to the game against the New York Rangers October 7, 2017 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ONTARIO - OCTOBER 7: Matt Martin #15 and Mitchell Marner #16 of the Toronto Maple Leafs smile during player introductions prior to the game against the New York Rangers October 7, 2017 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Maple Leafs William Nylander and Auston Matthews
TORONTO, ON – APRIL 2: William Nylander #29 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his goal on the Buffalo Sabres with teammates Auston Matthews #34 during the second period at the Air Canada Centre on April 2, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images) /

My Take

Honestly, I think there’s only one player bound to have a breakout season: William Nylander.

Morgan Rielly had his breakout season last year, and showed glimpses of his potential before that, similar to what Nylander has done.  Everyone knew there was still untapped potential, it was a matter of time when it came to light, I believe the same to be with Nylander.

Gifted with élite hockey sense, silky smooth hands, skating skills, puck handling skills at high-speed, passing skills, and a deadly shot, Nylander is a very complete offensive player capable of leading the team’s offense.

Put together with Auston Matthews and Andreas Johnsson, the Toronto Maple Leafs will bolster the league’s new top-line next season. It’s not a top-secret that the chemistry between Matthews and Nylander is hard to defend against and it’s a near certainty for a lot of 5v5 goals.

Nylander ability to carry the puck into the offensive zone makes him one of the two most pivotal players with Mitch Marner for the powerplay. In case Nylander plays on the top unit or if Babcock splits the best players over the two units, expect the Toronto Maple Leafs to belong among the top teams in powerplay success this season.

You can bet on it; Nylander will silence his critics this season by tallying personal records on goals and assists and will prove to be a point per game player.

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