Keefe shares some insight about Nylander's unparalleled work ethic and leadership
Yesterday, after 7 games in 13 days, the Leafs had a very optional skills session, instead of a full practice. Only a handful of players decided to come to the rink to do some extra work, and one of them was William Nylander. It is no knock against those that decided not to skate as everyone has their own way of recovering and sometimes a day off is needed. Nylander, who has been on a tear with 12 points in his last 7 games certainly didn't need to take part in the skill session, but he felt it would do him more good than a full day off.
He has been questioned for his "lack of commitment" and criticized for being a "lazy" player, however, he is anything but. "It's not uncommon when this facility is dark & it is a full off-day, he'll find his way in here & onto the ice to make sure he gets what he needs," said Keefe when asked about Nylander's preparation and participation in practice and off-days.
There's an old saying, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" and what Nylander is doing is clearly working as he leads the Leafs in goals with 28 and points with 59 (tied with Mitch Marner). His work on off-days and optional days is more noticeable when Auston Matthews is out of the lineup as he has 21 points in his last 16 games without Matthews - something he says he hasn't really thought about.
"There is more puck available," commented Keefe when aske why Nylander has performed so well without Matthews while Alexander Kerfoot said that Nylander relishes the opportunity to carry more of the offensive load.
Last season, Nylander set career highs in goals and points and with just over 30 games left, he is essentially guaranteed to set new ones again this season, all thanks to his work ethic on and off the ice.
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 31 | 146 ANSWERS Keefe shares some insight about Nylander's unparalleled work ethic and leadership Is William Nylander the most underrated Leafs star of all-time? | ||
| Yes, he's criminally underrated | 88 | 60.3 % |
| No, he gets plenty of recognition | 37 | 25.3 % |
| He'll be invisible when the playoffs start | 21 | 14.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
