Craig Berube facing crucial decision: Mitch Marner and William Nylander involved

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Tom Banks
July 29, 2024 (12:53)

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The Maple Leafs have some huge decisions to make this season, but perhaps none bigger than the 2C, which could be decided between Mitch Marner and William Nylander.

After losing first line winger Tyler Bertuzzi in free agency, the Toronto Maple Leafs lines are up in the air at this stage of the summer, with several options to construct this lineup. Mitch Marner has played the position well in recent years, while Max Domi starred alongside Auston Matthews to end the year, and with the emergence of Matthew Knies, there's options.

That leads into another key decision, with John Tavares likely to slide down to the third-line center, leaving the decision to make for new Head Coach Craig Berube; William Nylander or Mitch Marner?

Last season, Nylander was tried as a center to start the season, and while he ultimately flipped to the wing, given the deal that Toronto gave him, it makes sense if they want to push him back to the middle. Then there's Mitch Marner, who plays a very solid two-way game, and if he's not to play alongside Matthews, then he could be the perfect fit down the middle.

One thing is for sure, and that is that after being demoted during the season, the Maple Leafs captain just isn't a 2C in the NHL anymore, so while the decision to move him to the third line isn't a hard one, his replacement is.

In 2023/24, Nylander put together his second straight 40 goal season, tallying a career high in points with 98 in 80 games played. As for Marner, he was stellar again, putting together an 85 point campaign in just 69 games played as he is on the verge of free agency in the summer of 2025.

Source: Editor in Leaf
The Toronto Maple Leafs Dilemma at this Crucial Position

Source: Mitch Marner Hockeydb
Mitch Marner Statistics

Source: William Nylander Hockeydb
William Nylander Statistics