Fansided

2020 NHL Season: Grading the Toronto Maple Leafs’ right wingers at season pause

By Simon Vacca

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 19: Mitchell Marner #16 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his overtime game winning goal against the Boston Bruins during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on October 19, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Bruins 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 19: Mitchell Marner #16 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his overtime game winning goal against the Boston Bruins during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on October 19, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Bruins 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 11: William Nylander #88 of the Toronto Maple Leafs waits for a faceoff against the Arizona Coyotes during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 11, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Coyotes 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 11: William Nylander #88 of the Toronto Maple Leafs waits for a faceoff against the Arizona Coyotes during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 11, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Coyotes 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

William Nylander

Games Played: 68
Goals: 31
Assists: 28
Points: 59

If one member of the blue and white had something to prove in the Maple Leafs’ 2019-20 campaign, it was William Nylander.

After a whirlwind of a 2018-19 season — the likes of which saw Nylander (a.) fail to attend Toronto’s training camp, (b.) hold out for a $41.77 million contract that was signed just minutes before the Dec. 1 deadline and (c.) usher forth relatively subpar play through notching just 7 goals and 20 assists for 27 points in 54 matchups — the expectations for the right winger could not have been higher. And did he ever deliver.

In 68 games, Nylander tallied 31 goals and 28 assists for 59 points in total. At the time of the NHL’s pause, he was second on the team in goals scored, second in power play goals (9) and first in game winning goals (7).

Most impressive of all was the way in which Nylander managed to bury pucks. Contrary to the widespread belief that the 23-year-old primarily serves as a perimeter player, Nylander scored goals from all around the ice and was not afraid to get dirty in front of the nets of his opponents. He meshed well with Tavares on a recurring basis and was often called upon to clock in tough minutes when the team needed a goal.

Nylander may not be as flashy as Marner — nor may he be as explosive as Matthews. But the contract that shall see No. 88 paid $6,962,366 through to 2023-24 has started to look like the best of the deals signed between Dubas and the club’s youngsters.

Given all of the doubts that had run rampant about the Swedish winger for the better part of a year, Nylander’s value to Toronto should not be understated. After all, where would the Maple Leafs have been without his 31 goals?

Grade: A+

Next. Grading the Toronto Maple Leafs’ left wingers at season pause. dark

Follow FanSided NHL for more news, analysis, opinion and unique coverage about hockey in all forms throughout the entire 2019-20 NHL season and beyond.

Home/Toronto Maple Leafs