William Nylander is embracing the challenge of playing center this season for the Toronto Maple Leafs, even if it’s not his natural position. The Swedish forward, known for his playmaking and speed on the wing, is now in a transition period. And while it’s no easy switch, Nylander is committed to helping the team, even if it means moving out of his comfort zone.
“I like playing wing, but I also see the upside of playing center, especially for the team,” Nylander said. “I’m not worried about myself. Whatever makes our team better in the long run is more important than me feeling comfortable.”
The change brings new responsibilities. Head coach Craig Berube acknowledged the difficulty of the shift, but he sees potential in Nylander’s progress so far.
“It’s a work in progress,” Berube said. “It’s not easy to just switch over and play center; there’s a lot more on your plate. But I think he’s done a pretty good job. We don’t have a right-handed faceoff guy, so it would be nice to have Willy working on that.”
Nylander himself admits there’s added pressure this season. After dealing with contract uncertainties last year, his focus now is purely on his performance. “I feel the pressure to do even better than I did last year—that’s my goal,” Nylander explained.
It’s not all pressure in Leafs Nation, though. The team recently took a mini trip to Muskoka for some bonding time before the season kicks off. Ryan Reaves is loving the camaraderie.
"You want a piece of me?"
— David Alter (@dalter) October 1, 2024
Craig Berube recalls team bonding trip as a rookie with Iron Mike Keenan. ⤵️https://t.co/1IUOCHsJzohttps://t.co/1IUOCHsJzo
“Any time you can get the boys together for some golf, a couple of beers, maybe some poker… it’s just a good time,” Reaves said with a grin. “It’s a great way to bond and get to know the new guys before the grind starts for real.”
As the Leafs gear up for what’s sure to be a competitive season, there’s a sense of good vibes in and around the rink.