Why William Nylander's experiment at centre is getting a reboot by Maple Leafs

TORONTO — There was something symbolic how the first on-ice day of Toronto Maple Leafs training camp concluded.

After Craig Berube's long whistle blew, signalling the end of an intense, battle-drill-filled session, the new head coach subtly motioned for William Nylander to take centre ice and lead his group's post-skate stretch.

Berube and general manager Brad Treliving absolutely want Nylander in the middle.

Who cares if a room full of hockey scribes can't think of a single all-star winger who made a permanent jump to centre in his ninth NHL season?

The Maple Leafs — thin up the gut and opting not to address that need via trade or free agency — are giving it a whirl.

For real for real this time. No, seriously.

"I'm excited. I told Chief that the most important thing is, like, you can't play just one game if you want to try centre," Nylander said Thursday. "So, we agree on that. Give it a go, and hopefully it goes well."

It did not go well at the 2023 training camp. Or, more accurately, it didn’t go at all.

Despite the GM's wish to see the stud Swede drive his own line in both zones, former coach Sheldon Keefe was quick to pull the plug on the much-hyped pre-season storyline.

How come Nylander didn't get a longer look at centre if this was a priority a year ago?

"What'd I play, one game? I don't know," Nylander said, wearing a designer black tanktop and flashing his $92-million smile.

"You might have to ask my old coach about that."

Here's Nylander's old coach last September on the experiment: "It's not going to be a one-off or a one-day thing or one pre-season game. We want to give it some time."

Here's Nylander's new coach on the experiment today: "You got to give him some opportunity and time. … Let him play a few games. See what he looks like. See how he's feeling. See if he's comfortable."

What gives us belief that the Leafs will actually stick with Nylander at 2C past pre-season this time is Berube, who, unlike Keefe, was handpicked by Treliving and appears determined to construct a more balanced top nine instead of a loaded top six.

Toronto wants to design three lines that can score while sprinkling in a defensive conscience on each of those units.

To start, 40-goal sniper Nylander will be flanked by speedy playmaker Max Domi on his left and safe countryman Calle Järnkrok on his right.

The pros are obvious: From the middle, Nylander can use his elite edgework and vision to transport the puck up ice and distribute or dash either way. He has the skill, size (203 pounds) and strength to succeed anywhere on the ice. And a $11.5-million centre is instantly better value than a $11.5-million winger.

Remember, Nylander was drafted as centre way back in 2014, played the position for the Marlies, and has won a respectful 50.4 per cent of his career faceoffs.

"He'll be fine. He's played that role before in his career, and I think he can play anywhere. I think he'll do really good there as well, or just as good on the wing," says brother and roommate Alex Nylander, who signed with the Marlies.

"He's fast and he obviously can score. But he's also good at making a pass, getting it back, and opening up plays for you. So, he'll have the puck a lot on his stick — and that's when he's really good."

No doubt.

It's those times when Nylander doesn't have the puck on his stick that prompted Keefe to abandon Plan C in the past.

Berube will communicate with the superstar regularly throughout this trial, recognizing Nylander's D-zone positioning, backchecking and faceoff prowess (he went 47.1 per cent last season) all need sharpening.

"I don't think it's going to be an issue with him getting the puck and transporting it up the ice. He's an elite player. He has that ability," Berube says.

"But it's the details of the defensive part of the game, the breakouts and things like that. That takes a little bit longer."

It's no secret Nylander the winger likes to blow the zone. That was often done by design, as his foot speed earned him many a breakaway (and many a tsk-tsk from your uncle).

So, he'll have to fight that temptation.

Just as Berube & Co. will have to fight the temptation to let one of hockey's best wingers play wing if they are to pull off a successful positional switch and nudge Nylander into centre ice for good.

One-Timers: Simon Benoit had a great reason for missing Day 1 of camp: He and his partner, Alice, welcomed their first child into the world.... Bet on Berube loading up Toronto's PP1 as opposed to deploying two balanced units, which he often did in St. Louis: "This power play has been very successful over the years. I know you're going to bring up playoffs last year [when Toronto's PP went 1-for-21]. Well, you go into dry spells. That happens to every team. It was just the wrong time for them, but that's a very good power-play unit."... Alex Nylander is hopeful to make the team, despite signing an AHL deal: "It was a dream since we were younger to both just be in the NHL. And now that we could have a chance to play on the same team together is huge. And it's obviously a dream come true, if that happens."

Maple Leafs (way-too-early) projected lineup based on camp lines:

Knies – Matthews – Marner
Domi – Nylander – Järnkrok
McMann – Tavares – Robertson
Lorentz – Kämpf – Reaves

Reilly – Tanev
Ekman-Larsson – McCabe
Benoit – Liljegren

Woll
Stolarz