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NHL Free Agency: Grading the Maple Leafs’ signings

By David Rouben

TORONTO, ON - JULY 1: John Tavares #91 of the Toronto Maple Leafs, poses with his jersey in the dressing room, after he signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs, at the Scotiabank Arena on July 1, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JULY 1: John Tavares #91 of the Toronto Maple Leafs, poses with his jersey in the dressing room, after he signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs, at the Scotiabank Arena on July 1, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – APRIL 23: William Nylander #29 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates after scoring against the Boston Bruins in Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Air Canada Centre on April 23, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – APRIL 23: William Nylander #29 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates after scoring against the Boston Bruins in Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Air Canada Centre on April 23, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images) /

William Nylander

Technically, William Nylander hasn’t signed anything with the Leafs yet. However, everyone is talking about him as if he’ll be on the team. After all, part of their pitch to Tavares was that he’d be able to play with Toronto’s big three. The only people that don’t seem to think he’ll re-sign are members of the media:

While it might be tantalizing to build a package around Nylander for an upgrade at defense, that does a disservice to who he is as a player and what he brings to the team. For one, he has built-in chemistry with Auston Matthews, having been glued to his wing from his first shift. With Matthews being a shoot first, ask questions later guy, Nylander has been relied upon as his playmaker, and has 40 assists to show for it.

Before the Leafs got Tavares, there was some talk surrounding moving Nylander to center. While Nylander can be inconsistent at times — his shot isn’t great and he’s prone to going through long scoring droughts — playing with Matthews is a good way for him to refine his skillset. Besides, when Matthews was out for 20 games this past season, Nylander filled the void at center and did so admirably. His 5-on-5 scoring at center has been equal to, or in some cases better than, his usual spot on the right wing.

Simply put, it makes no sense to part ways with a consistent 20-goal and 60-point scorer. In addition to all the qualities mentioned above, Nylander is extremely durable — he’s only missed one game in the last two seasons. The Leafs could either give him a bridge deal, as they figure out what to give Matthews and Mitch Marner, or extend him long-term right off the bat. In any case, Nylander is here to stay.

Grade: A

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