Craig Berube Takes a Bit of a Shot at Leafs Star William Nylander and His Level of Confidence

The Toronto Maple Leafs are coming off an impressive, albeit stressful, first-round series win over the Ottawa Senators, taking the series 4-2.

One of the standout performers for the Leafs was William Nylander, who recorded a team-high 9 points in 6 games, including two goals and an assist in the series-clinching Game 6.

Head coach Craig Berube recently commented on Nylander's demeanor, and while likely unintentional, his remark came across as a subtle jab at the star winger's laid-back style.

As per LeafsLatest on X:

Berube's comment seemed to suggest that Nylander's calmness could be mistaken for overconfidence or a lack of urgency. Still, Nylander was instrumental in the Game 6 win, and his performance more than justified his style of play.

Interestingly, Nylander nearly missed that crucial game due to a bizarre administrative error that saw him mistakenly swapped with his brother, Alex Nylander, on the lineup sheet. Thankfully, the error was rectified in time.

Following some criticism in the previous game regarding his compete level, Nylander erased those doubts, proving his skill set yet again. He has continued to solidify his reputation as the most clutch playoff performer among the Leafs' Core 4, consistently stepping up in series-clinching games, and showing his worth in important games.

The Maple Leafs will now shift their focus to their second-round matchup against the Florida Panthers, who bring playoff experience, physicality, and determination - setting the stage for a tough and gritty battle this will surely push this Leafs teams to their limits.