Toronto Maple Leafs Head Coach Craig Berube Addresses William Nylander's Push for Increased Ice Time

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Chris Gerics
November 1, 2024 (5:54 PM)

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William Nylander wants to be on the ice more for the Maple Leafs, confident he can help the team defensively. Now his head coach has commented on his request.

Riding a two-game win streak with a rejuvenated lineup, the Toronto Maple Leafs are looking like they did at the beginning of the season, and while there are still some issues to work out, the progression is a positive one. Riding the hot hand of William Nylander and his new linemates Max Pacioretty and John Tavares, he's been a stud all year.

He realizes this and knows he can do even more for the team, and his request for more ice time isn't about trying to stuff the scoresheet (though he has a knack for doing so naturally) but instead about trying to give the Maple Leafs a solid penalty killing superstar. Head coach Craig Berube knows that he can use Nylander in big situations, but only if he earns it, or Berube sees the right fit:

"Well, Willy has played good hockey for us this year. I don't have a problem with his game. Ice time is ice time. I try to use my bench as best I can. I think everybody is important. I try to manage the bench that way. People have roles. I use them in those roles. Willy played a good game tonight. The line was really good for us again."

With Mitch Marner's camp reportedly wanting the Maple Leafs to cut down his ice time; whether worrying about overexertion or not to risk injury during a contract year, it could spell more minutes for Nylander on the penalty kill. Marner lines up with Auston Matthews for one of the Maple Leafs PK units, and sliding Nylander in there instead would provide as good a defensive option, plus a bit of a bigger body alongside Matthews.

Both Nylander and Marner are having spectacular seasons so far. Marner has 12 points so far (1G, 11A) and Nylander also has 12 points (8G, 4A) while leading the team in goals. Giving Nylander more ice time wouldn't be a negative, and adding 20 pounds to the penalty kill could be the difference between neutralizing a player or being bumped off the puck.

Nylander is the one who is here to stay, recently signing a massive extension and there's no guarantees Marner is going to stick around. Putting Nylander and Matthews together so they can get more chemistry not only now but for the future could pay dividends for Toronto in both the regular season and the playoffs. Craig Berube should trust his Swedish dynamo more defensively, and while the season is still fairly young; test it out. If it fails, go back to Marner after a few games.

William Nylander is currently on a quest to find more minutes, and the key may lay in resting Mitch Marner a bit more. But it's not for either man to decide. It'll be up to Craig Berube to take everything into account and make the best decision for the Maple Leafs not only for this season but the future.