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Toronto Maple Leafs: Expect A Career Year From William Nylander

By Mitchell Hartman

May 12, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (88) celebrates after scoring against the Florida Panthers in the third period in game five of the second round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
May 12, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (88) celebrates after scoring against the Florida Panthers in the third period in game five of the second round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs are no doubt Stanley Cup contenders this season.

As has been the case for the last 5 years or so, the Toronto Maple Leafs are expecting a deep playoff run, at the very least, or this season could very well be viewed as a failure.

As they did last season, the Leafs will likely go all in at the deadline this year for a chance at a Cup, especially with the amount of players on expiring deals.

One of these players is of course, William Nylander, who after coming off a career-best season last year, looks to improve on those totals.

I would bet on another career-best season from Nylander this upcoming year.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Expect A Career Year From William Nylander

Almost everything is pointing in the right direction for Nylander this year to be his best one yet.

As mentioned before, Nylander is in a contract year, and everyone knows he wants to get paid. This is his chance to earn that $10 million + salary that he so clearly wants.

Nylander’s points-per-game has also been on a steady increase each of the last 3 seasons. Since 2020-21, his points-per-game has gone from 0.82, to 0.98, to a very strong 1.06 last season, which of course was his personal best. (all stats: eliteprospects.com)

On top of this, Nylander led the Leafs in goals last season with a career-high of 40. Now to be fair, he was tied with Auston Matthews, and there is a 99% chance Matthews is back to leading the Leafs in goals again, and potentially even the entire NHL, but Nylander’s great season went a little overlooked last year, and I’d count on him improving his goal total.

Lastly, this may be the most talented forward group Nylander has ever played with.

The recent additions of Max Domi and Tyler Bertuzzi give Nylander another option to play with on his off-wing, and Nylander and Domi had some good moments during the preseason already. There has also been an emergence of youth on the roster, with names such as Fraser Minten, Matthew Knies, and veen Easton Cowen all impressing during the pre-season.

Nylander has been able to produce quality offense with almost anyone on the Leafs roster, and now with arguably the best offensive group he’s ever played with, there’s no doubt he’ll continue to score.

Next. 2023-24 Toronto Maple Leafs Top 10 Prospects. dark

In short, William Nylander is due for another career season this year. I wouldn’t be surprised if he notches 90+ points.

Let’s see what sort of contract he earns himself.

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