'One of the best players in the world': Maple Leafs' Nylander is money in the bank

DALLAS -- All right, just pay the man.

William Nylander will tell you that his uncertain future, the possibility of bumping his own stock and leveraging his bargaining stance, is not the major motivation behind his torrid beginning to 2023-24.

But as far as aligning your most dominant start with your most important money-making campaign, it's hard to deny that Nylander has struck the perfect time to reach yet another level with his performance.

"I mean, obviously, it's there. But I think the mindset that I've always had is to be better every year," said Nylander, looking like 10 million bucks in his all-black suit before strolling out of Dallas with another key contribution to a Maple Leafs win and another point on the streak. 

"So, I mean, that's there. But I don't think that I'd be playing any different if it wasn't a contract year."

The great Fat Joe once said: "Yesterday's price is not today's price." And it's an emphatic argument one could imagine Nylander's agent, Lewis Gross, relaying to Toronto GM Brad Treliving in their next meeting.

Wherever Nylander is pulling his motivation, his highlight-reel results have been undeniable this month and were once again on display in Thursday's 4-1 grinding road win over the mighty Dallas Stars, previously undefeated in regulation.

With the Maple Leafs tightening up defensively and delivering their most persistent first period of the season, Nylander gave them a rare early lead with a diligent forecheck, a slick dangle, and a buttery backdoor pass to a wide-open Morgan Rielly.

"He's unreal. I think he's one of the best players in the world. And we're very lucky to have him," Rielly said. "What he's able to do with the puck and his legs and the way he thinks the game and how he sees it, he's up there in that top conversation."

Shifts like that have become increasingly commonplace, as Nylander has picked up where he left off in the playoffs. Quibble about the occasional defensive lapse or the failed and short-lived experiments at centre if you wish. 

But offensively, Nylander has consistently been Toronto's most dangerous threat through seven games, gathering at least a point in every one of them and leading the club's crowded scoring race with a total of five goals and six assists.

Nylander's 40-goal, 87-point personal-best showing in 2022-23 already feels at risk of getting trumped.

This must feel like the best start of his career, no? 

"I mean, I don't really think about it. I just take it game by game. Now I'm focusing to get ready for next game," smiles Nylander, who will concede to getting more playmaking looks on the inside. "I feel like more openings are opening up. That's why I'm probably taking the puck there."

Mitch Marner credits his teammate's poise with the puck on his stick, even in high traffic.

"Just how he's controlling the puck out there and making plays, taking people one-on-one down low, it's been great to watch," Marner says. "He's been opening up a lot of ice for his teammates. It's kind of the Willie we all know and we expect every night, so it's been great to see."

Maybe it's no coincidence that Tyler Bertuzzi, jostled off Auston Matthews and Marner's top unit, has submitted his best efforts this week alongside Nylander and John Tavares, who's on a seven-game heater of his own.

"Willy is Willy," Bertuzzi says. "I knew he was really good. I didn't know how good he was."

Toronto's second line saw the most shifts together during the Dallas win and titled the ice more than any other, generating 60.9 per cent of shot attempts when on the ice.

"We're playing really well as a line. We're generating a lot of chances. I think the goals and stuff will come when we play well," Nylander reasons.

Set aside the numbers. Aesthetically, the winger's edges look even sharper. He is using his sturdy frame more effectively to win puck battles and gain positioning. He has eliminated some of the float to his game that occasionally frustrated the coaching staff and is now averaging 20 minutes a night for the first time in his career.

"He's playing great," raves Keefe, who is also trusting Nylander for some penalty kills. "He's got lots of confidence with the puck. He's attacking the ice and bringing the puck to good areas. So, I think it's been a terrific start for him. 

"He had a terrific start last season, so he's just sort of continuing with that. But without a doubt, he seems to be really in a good place right now in terms of his rhythm offensively."

So good, Nylander and/or Tavares can tie a Leafs record by stretching their season-opening streak to eight games Saturday in Nashville. (John Anderson, Lanny McDonald, and Frank Mahovlich share that record.)

"Oh, really?" Nylander perks up.

He is then informed that the longest season-starting point streak by any player is 51 games.

"Is that Gretzky? That's f-----' wild. That's crazy," Nylander chuckles.

"Well, let's see what we do in Nashville."

Fox's Fast Five

• Jake McCabe played all of 10 seconds — one shortened shift — before he pulled something and left the game with a lower-body injury. The Leafs needed to lock down a win with five D-men and are not currently travelling with a spare.

There is concern that McCabe, who needs imaging, will be unavailable for Saturday's game in Nashville.

• Matt Duchene, Jim Nill's major free-agent signing, is still searching for his first goal as a Star but made a beautiful play to set up Mason Marchment for his second assist on the year.

"He's been way better than the stat line says. Way better. I think he must've hit three, four posts, missed on breakaways. So if you're looking at the stat line, I think you're making a mistake on how he's played," coach Peter DeBoer says. "I've been really happy with his play. He's been as advertised — an elite centreman that can drive a line.

"Great in our room. We had a team event, and he dusted his guitar off and sang for the guys. So, he's fit in really well. I'm not worried about his stat line at all.

• Jason Robertson on brother Nick, plugging away for Toronto's minor-league affiliate:

"He's in his fourth year as a pro, so he's a professional. I mean, mentally, he knows how things go. So, all he can do now is just keep working. And unfortunately, he's not here today, but I'm still rooting for him, and he'll get his chance."

The younger Robertson is off to a productive start for the Marlies, scoring three goals and six points in five games.

• The Stars' penalty kill began the season a perfect 17-for-17. Bertuzzi ended that streak in the third period, and now every NHL team has given up a shorthanded goal.

How about Matthew Knies holding the zone and gathering an all-effort assist on Bertuzzi's PPG?

"Yeah, that was a great play," Bertuzzi says. "I was kind of on my way out of the zone to start backchecking and he made a diving stop at the blue and kept it in and got the play going." 

• As far as former Star Max Domi is concerned, Miro Heiskanen is "the most underrated guy in the league."