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Top 10 Toronto Maple Leafs Moments of the 2021 Season (So Far)

By Carter Loewen

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 17: William Nylander #88 of the Toronto Maple Leafs looks to make a check against the Ottawa Senators during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 17, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Senators 2-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 17: William Nylander #88 of the Toronto Maple Leafs looks to make a check against the Ottawa Senators during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 17, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Senators 2-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO,ON – JANUARY 20: William Nylander #88 of the Toronto Maple Leafs . (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

4. William Nylander Continues to Shut Up the Haters

If I had a dollar for every time someone said to me “He doesn’t even try”, “They should trade him for a defenseman”, or “He looks so lazy on the ice”, or even any variation of that, I would probably be able to afford one year of William Nylander at $6.9 million (and keep in mind, that’s a bargain).

To start off, I want to reiterate how great Nylander’s production was last year. In a shortened season last year, William Nylander was on pace for a 37 goal, 70 point season, which is not bad for “a guy who doesn’t try”.

This season, Nylander has continued his great production with 5 goals and 14 points in 19 games played. In an 82 game season, that is on pace for 22 goals and 60 points. That may not be the same great totals as last year, but for someone getting less ice time than previous years and playing in a second-line wing spot as well as a second PP unit spot, that’s not too bad.

Regarding his possession numbers, William Nylander currently sits atop the team’s Corsi stats (among players who have played more than 10 games) with a CF% of 51.83%.  Also, the Leafs get 53.25% of the scoring chances when William Nylander is on the ice –  not bad underlying numbers (stats: naturalstattrick.com)

As far as what he does on the ice, people need to realize he does the right things. He’s in the right places at the right times and makes crisp passes to open ice to find players to score.

As far as where his production will go from here, expect William Nylander to up his point totals because he does objectively deserve more.

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