Toronto Maple Leafs winger William Nylander was not named to participate in the NHL’s 2022 All-Star Game, and that’s almost criminal, considering the 25-year-old is second on the team with 16 goals (putting him on pace for a career-best 37 goals) and 36 points in 35 games. But it’s Nylander’s play away from the puck that has really changed for the better; he now plays on Toronto’s penalty kill, making him a great all-around special teams contributor, and he still has room to grow.
Nylander’s omission from the All-Star Game should fuel him in the second half of the regular season. He can take out his frustrations against opponents, and fully step into the top tier of NHL stars. As it stands now, he’s already a huge bargain, earning *only* $6.9 million per season through the 2023-24 campaign. The more he grows his game, the more secure his position in Toronto will be. For a while after he signed his current contract. Nylander had to have heard his name in trade rumors, but there’s no way Leafs GM Kyle Dubas will move him now. He has become irreplaceable, and even if his play drops off somewhat, it would be foolish for Toronto to give up on him.
-
Ep 37: NHL Free Agency Recapby Full Press Coverage on July 20, 2022 at 12:42 am
In this episode of Full Press Hockey Weekly, Mike Straw goes solo as he […]
Of course, should the Leafs suck wind again in the playoffs, there will be calls for significant change to Toronto’s roster. But it’s hard to see how the Buds would benefit by shipping Nylander to another team. He’s in the prime of his seven-year NHL career. The Leafs have to take advantage of the two years that remain on his contract after this season. They will not be as fortunate in 2024, when Nylander almost assuredly will earn a major raise. But that’s a conundrum for another day. Dubas and head coach Sheldon Keefe have to live in the present day, and pray to the salary cap gods that the upper cap limit will be sufficiently raised to allow Nylander to remain a Leaf.
But that’s a ways away. For now, Nylander should console himself with a nice break from the punishing NHL schedule, and prepare himself to raise his game even further than he already has this year. If they’re to make it out of the Atlantic Division playoffs, the Leafs are going to need him to play just as well as he has thus far. If he does that, there will be no question Nylander will be a shoo-in for the 2023 All-Star Game.
Around FPC
NHL: NHL Power Rankings: Florida Panthers Remain Number One
NHL: Alex Meruelo is Ruining the Arizona Coyotes
NHL: These Four NCAA Players Will Lead Team USA in the Olympics
NFL: Nitpicks & Nitwits: Is The Patriots’ Party Over Before It Starts?
Wrestling: NXT Black and Gold Shine In Loss To NXT 2.0 in War Games Match
PODCAST: Full Press NHL Podcast Ep 17: Evander Kane; Canada COVID Restrictions; Kraken/Oilers Failures
To be sure, you can make a case Nylander should already be a shoo-in All-Star. But we all know the NHL has a mandate of choosing one All-Star Game representative from each of the league’s 32 teams. Nylander’s reaction to not being selected for this year’s ASG was not ideal, as he took a shot at Canadiens forward Nick Suzuki being picked for it. He should’ve taken that frustration out in the gym, or on the ice. It’s not about Suzuki being better – he’s got only 19 points in 35 games with the abysmal Habs – but rather, about a process that needs to change. It’s a marketing decision, not a comment on Nylander’s play.
When Nylander played his first NHL games in the 2015-16 season, he was referred to as a one-dimensional competitor who wouldn’t sacrifice his body to make a hard play. Nobody says that anymore about him. That’s the best revenge for him – to continue to ascend as a points-maker, but also, to continue to evolve into a first-rate defensive threat. Players know how much tougher it is to defend against him now.
He doesn’t need any All-Star honors to prevent that. And the Leafs will be thrilled to continue to employ him.
Loading...
-
Ep 37: NHL Free Agency Recapby Full Press Coverage on July 20, 2022 at 12:42 am
In this episode of Full Press Hockey Weekly, Mike Straw goes solo as he […]
-
Ep 36: NHL Draft; NHL Free Agency Previewby Full Press Coverage on July 13, 2022 at 11:45 am
In this episode, Mike Straw and Chris Wassel dive into NHL Free Agency and […]
-
Ep 35: Avalanche Win Stanley Cup; Hockey Hall of Fame; NHL Offseason Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 2:06 pm
Jim and Chris react to the Avalanche winning the Stanley Cup, the 2022 […]
-
Ep 34: NHL Coaching Retreads; Stanley Cup Final Talkby Full Press Coverage on June 22, 2022 at 3:30 pm
Mike, Jim, and Chris discuss the never-ending NHL coaching retreads and […]
-
NHL Offseason: Matthew Tkachuk Traded To Florida, Patrik Laine Staying in Columbus and Moreby Full Press Coverage on July 24, 2022 at 6:15 pm
Jim is back once again joined by C.C. Hawkley of Full Press Hockey to […]
-
NHL Free Agency Frenzy Reviewby Full Press Coverage on July 15, 2022 at 12:00 pm
Jim is back once again to discuss NHL Free Agent Frenzy and where some of […]
-
Ep 76: They're Back! David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron Return To The Bruinsby Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2022 at 8:51 pm
Ian and Chris discuss and react to the re-signing of captain Patrice […]
-
Ep 75: Bergeron Undecided? David Krejci and NHL Free Agency Primerby Full Press Coverage on July 13, 2022 at 3:57 pm
Ian and Chris discuss the latest on Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, and […]
-
S3Ep35 - NHL Offseason Editionby Jim Biringer on July 18, 2022 at 12:00 pm
Jim is joined by Marc Weiss and Coach Jay as they discuss the NHL […]
-
S3E34 - Colorado Avalanche Win Stanley Cupby Jim Biringer on July 4, 2022 at 7:26 pm
Jim is back once again to discuss the Colorado Avalanche winning the […]
-
Episode #389 - The Finaleby Full Press Coverage on July 26, 2022 at 2:27 am
It's time for us to wrap up another 4th Line show. This week we take one […]
-
Episode #388 - The 2022 NHL Free Agency Roadtripby Full Press Coverage on July 19, 2022 at 2:08 am
NHL teams got busy this week as they tried to sign all of the free agents! […]
-
Episode #387 - The 2022 NHL Draftby Full Press Coverage on July 8, 2022 at 2:10 am
It's draft night! We look back on the news of the week, as well as the […]
-
Episode #107: A Fine Championshipby Full Press Coverage on June 30, 2022 at 4:38 am
For the first time since 2019, a new Calder Cup champion has been crowned! […]
-
Episode #106: If You Can't Beat Them, Become Themby Full Press Coverage on June 18, 2022 at 5:55 am
23 playoff teams are now down to just two. It's the 2022 Calder Cup Finals […]
-
Episode #107: A Fine Championshipby Full Press Coverage on June 30, 2022 at 4:38 am
For the first time since 2019, a new Calder Cup champion has been crowned! […]
-
Episode #106: If You Can't Beat Them, Become Themby Full Press Coverage on June 18, 2022 at 5:55 am
23 playoff teams are now down to just two. It's the 2022 Calder Cup Finals […]
-
Ep 60: #KrejciForever and Raised Expectationsby Full Press Coverage on May 4, 2021 at 9:23 pm
Ian and Chris talk about the Bruins post trade deadline turnaround and […]
-
Ep 59: Bruins Swing Big At Trade Deadlineby Full Press Coverage on April 12, 2021 at 9:48 pm
Ian and Chris welcome in Mike Cratty to discuss the trade acquisitions of […]
-
8/19 - Deshaun Watson Suspension; Concern About Tom Brady's Absenceby Full Press Coverage on August 19, 2022 at 1:46 pm
Ian and John discuss the Deshaun Watson suspension and whether or not […]
-
Aaron Rodgers Addresses Early Camp Struggles for WRsby Full Press Coverage on August 18, 2022 at 5:12 pm
Ian and John discuss some bumps in the road at Packers camp as Aaron […]
-
8/17 - Packers Camp Struggles, Top 10 QB/Pass Catching Combos, Malcolm Go... To Injured Reserveby Full Press Coverage on August 17, 2022 at 5:04 pm
Ian and John discuss Aaron Rodgers comments about the young wide receiver […]
-
8/15 - Zach Wilson, Deshaun Watson, NFL Top 100 Listby Full Press Coverage on August 15, 2022 at 1:15 pm
Ian and John discuss the Zach Wilson injury scare, Deshaun Watson's debut […]