Maple Leafs News & Rumours: Brisson Rising Value & Hiller Challenges Nylander

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a few things to sort out as their season continues to unfold. The NHL club wants more consistent performances from its top players, while also keeping an eye on what is developing with the Toronto Marlies. Sometimes the most interesting stories aren’t necessarily happening at the NHL level.

There are two worth watching right now. Brendan Brisson is putting together an impressive start with the Marlies and has moved into the American Hockey League (AHL) scoring lead. Meanwhile, head coach Jim Hiller faces a different challenge with William Nylander. The winger is producing points, but Hiller would like to see him get more involved in moving the puck up the ice.

Brendan Brisson Moves Into the AHL Scoring Lead With the Marlies

The Toronto Marlies picked up a convincing 5-1 win over the Hamilton Hammers, getting goals from Matthew Barbolini, Borya Valis, Landon Sim, Reese Johnson, and Brendan Brisson. Brisson also assisted on Valis’ goal, giving him two points and moving him past Laval’s Luke Mittelstadt into the AHL scoring lead.

Brisson now has 17 points in nine goals and eight assists. He leads the Marlies in goals, sits second on the team in assists, and is tied for sixth in the league in goals and tenth in assists. That’s a pretty good start for a player who signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Maple Leafs on September 4.

The Vegas Golden Knights selected Brisson 29th overall in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. He spent four seasons with Henderson, recording 102 points in 162 games, before playing the past two seasons with Hartford. He also has nine points in 27 career NHL games, including appearances with Vegas and the New York Rangers.

The question now is whether Brisson can turn this AHL production into another opportunity with the Maple Leafs. He’s 25, has some NHL experience, and appears to be finding his offensive game. Nobody should rush to pencil him into the Toronto lineup, but the organization has to like what it’s seeing. Players who can produce consistently at the AHL level give a team options, and the Leafs could use a few more.

Jim Hiller Wants William Nylander to Get More Involved in the Breakout

William Nylander has 10 goals and 21 points in 17 games this season. Those aren’t numbers that suggest an offensive problem, and he’s added five points in his last five games. Still, there’s something about his overall game that hasn’t looked quite right lately. Nylander has acknowledged it’s been a strange season, explaining that he’s producing but doesn’t have the puck as much as he’s used to.

Hiller agrees there’s something missing. Speaking after Wednesday’s practice, the coach said he’s used to seeing Nylander carry the puck through the neutral zone, take defenders wide, and create another scoring option. He hasn’t been getting as many of those opportunities. Hiller suggested Nylander spend less time waiting for the puck in the neutral zone and more time coming back into his own zone to become the breakout option.

That’s an interesting suggestion because it asks Nylander to change where some of his energy goes. He’s an exceptional offensive player, and the team needs him attacking with the puck. But there’s also something to be said for having a star winger take a more active role in helping his team get out of its own end. It might mean fewer opportunities to fly up the ice, but it could give him more chances to control the play once he gets there.

Nylander remains a player who can change a game quickly. Hiller’s challenge is finding a way to get more of that player involved without taking away the instincts that make him special. With John Tavares expected to return and join the lineup against Montreal on Saturday, Nylander could also benefit from having another experienced offensive option around him.

What’s Next for the Maple Leafs?

Brisson’s progress with the Marlies is worth following, particularly if he continues to produce at this rate. The Maple Leafs don’t need to make a move simply because a player is scoring in the AHL, but having another forward pushing for an opportunity is never a bad thing. It gives the organization some depth and gives the player something to work toward.

Nylander’s situation is a little different. His production suggests the offence isn’t disappearing, but Hiller wants more from him in other areas. That’s a reasonable conversation for a coach to have with one of his best players. The trick will be finding the right balance. Leafs fans want Nylander to carry the puck, create chances, and make things happen. They also want a team that can move the puck out of its own end and play a more complete game. Finding room for both might be one of Hiller’s more important jobs this season.