Maple Leafs need to plan for William Nylander's absence

"When it comes to replacing William Nylander's offence for the Toronto Maple Leafs, it's pretty safe to say a lot is being asked. And as Mitch Marner's return to Toronto on Friday reminds us, the odds of replacing offence from a single source isn't likely and a group effort will be required unless Brad Treliving has a trade for Jason Robertson in his back pocket. Nylander has been the Leafs offensive star this season and the only player producing more than a point per game."

"More than Marner's departure, Nylander's injury forcing the Leafs to play differently. Don't get me wrong, they could fall into a Max Domi heater, Easton Cowan could emerge at the best possible moment (and in fact, giving some of Nylander's responsibilities to Cowan makes sense), and the Leafs will likely continue to benefit from Auston Matthews playing his best hockey of the year, but fundamentally the Leafs need to do somethings different offensively and to the delight of many, I'm talking about embracing gritty hockey."

William Nylander has been the Maple Leafs' primary offensive force, leading assists and producing more than a point per game. His absence forces the team to change how it attacks, redistributing responsibilities and relying less on a single puck carrier. Options include increasing roles for gritty players like Dakota Joshua and Scott Laughton, using Easton Cowan to absorb some playmaking duties, and splitting Knies, Matthews, and Tavares across lines for balance. Secondary scorers such as McMann, Maccelli, and Robertson must contribute more. The team may also lean on heavier point shots from players like Philippe Myers and prioritize chaos and greasy goals.

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