Nylander was again the focus at the conclusion of Toronto's first on-ice training camp sessions Thursday for a very different reason -- his contract.
TORONTO - William Nylander was in the middle of it all.
The deal turned out to be a bargain for the Leafs, who would go onto ink Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner for significantly more money in the months that followed. “Very nice comment,” the No. 8 pick at the 2014 NHL draft said. “I've only known Toronto and this is the place I want to be.” The plan is to give him time to grow into the role during camp and pre-season to lay a groundwork of fundamentals and systems, instead of the more challenging task of moving to the middle mid-schedule with reduced practice time.Keefe, who said Treliving's fresh perspective after taking over from Dubas in May played into the shift, and Nylander have been with the organization for the better part of a decade.
The Leafs plan to audition Matthews on the penalty kill, which will see him join Marner as a top-line option when Toronto's down a skater.
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