"After Mitch Marner's departure, and one less star forward, Nylander's consistent year-over-year production and durability (he has missed one regular-season game over the last four seasons) is a luxury, and should not be taken for granted. During the 2024-25 season, Nylander and Marner each had long stretches of carrying the team while Auston Matthews dealt with injury. Nylander is an important play-driver, one of the NHL's best players, and the Leafs can ill-afford to lose him for any long stretch of games."
"With a top-six forward now the biggest need on the Maple Leafs' roster, Matthew Knies' continued ascension to being a top NHL power forward is a must. His two-way game and physical presence put him ahead of Nylander on this list. Knies' second full NHL season saw him score 29 goals and 29 assists for 58 points. He took on more defensive responsibilities, helping on the team's penalty-killing units or being trusted to protect late-game leads, and played the heavy forechecking game that coach Craig Berube loves."
The Toronto Maple Leafs begin a new season after leaving the 'Core 4' behind and now rely on a restructured nucleus of players. William Nylander is the franchise cornerstone with an eight-year contract through 2032 and reliable production of roughly forty goals and 80–95 points per season. Nylander has shown exceptional durability, missing one regular-season game over four seasons, and served as a primary play-driver during stretches when Auston Matthews was injured. Matthew Knies must continue his ascent into a top-six power forward role, contributing two-way play, physicality, penalty-killing work, and heavy forechecking while protecting late-game leads.
Read at Editor In Leaf
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