• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Trending

Maple Leafs News: Matthews, Marner and Nylander

By Anthony Fusco October 3rd, 2016

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

It’s a new year for the Toronto Maple Leafs. There is an electricity in the air regarding the boys in Blue and White. It doesn’t take long to pinpoint the source of the immense excitement.

For the first time in many seasons, the Maple Leafs have a number one goaltender in Frederik Andersen. Although he has yet to play a game, he is the undisputed man between the pipes. Morgan Rielly, who played huge minutes for Team North America during the World Cup, is back to anchor the blueline.

The most exciting part of the preseason so far surrounds three young and exceptionally talented forwards: William Nylander, Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews are the future of the Maple Leafs. Nylander and Matthews will definitely be on the opening night roster. Marner is attempting to crack the squad and is well on his way based on his preseason play thus far.

William Nylander

Hockey runs in the blood of the Nylander family. His father Michael was a very talented NHL player for many seasons. William’s younger brother Alex was also recently drafted by the Buffalo Sabres.

Nylander was able to make his Leafs debut last season as part of the burgeoning youth movement. He played in 22 games and collected six goals and 13 points.

He has fantastic vision and speed whenever he’s out on the ice. He’s an excellent passer with the ability to find his linemates with spectacular feeds. He’s slated to start the year on a line with Matthews, which has the potential to be one of the Leafs’ best.

Mitch Marner

One of the most exciting prospects in the pipeline, Marner is looking to make an impact and make the Leafs’ opening night roster. The Richmond Hill-native was drafted fourth overall in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. A highly skilled young player, Marner ripped up the Ontario Hockey League last season.

He had 116 points in 57 regular season games and added another 44 points in 18 playoff games. For his efforts over the season, Marner earned a plethora of awards including CHL Player of Year, the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy and the Memorial Cup.

Underrated part of that that overtime: This sequence by Mitch Marner. pic.twitter.com/xHpWg6gf8b

— Jeff Veillette (@JeffVeillette) October 3, 2016

Marner has looked great so far in preseason games. He’s collected a handful of assists and has been able to play effectively in all zones. He has had a few giveaways, but a player of Marner’s calibre generates chances almost every time he’s on the ice; making the risks acceptable.

He’s also a rookie and it’s important to remember that there are going to be some growing pains. With Marner though, the benefits far outweigh the risks of having him in the lineup.

Auston Matthews

The most recent first overall pick has done nothing but impress since he was drafted. He represented Team North America at the World Cup and put on a fantastic performance playing alongside Connor McDavid.

Matthews saw his first taste of preseason action Sunday against the Montreal Canadiens. While he didn’t hit the scoresheet, he did all the little things right including generating some chances and controlling parts of the play with relative ease.

#Leafs' Auston Matthews showing off his size & skill pic.twitter.com/D6QF1dFpZi

— Dhiren Mahiban (@dcmahiban) October 3, 2016

Having the experience of playing at the World Cup can only benefit Matthews and his development with the Maple Leafs this season. It was also a special treat for fans to see Nylander, Marner and Matthews in the lineup at the same time.

All three will have a huge part to play this season and for the future so it’s imperative that they get some time together to develop their chemistry.

 

  • Tags
  • Auston Matthews
  • Mitch Marner
  • William Nylander
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 20th 6:10 PM
Column

Red Wings News & Rumors: Protocol, Rasmussen, Howard & More

Jan 20th 6:00 PM
Nashville Predators

Predators’ Forward Depth Leading to Wins

Jan 20th 5:35 PM
Column

Islanders Weekly: Shutouts, Injury Scares & Scoring Concerns

Jan 20th 4:33 PM
Archives

2010 NHL Entry Draft: 5 Forgotten Picks

Jan 20th 4:15 PM
Vegas Golden Knights

3 Pros and 3 Cons to Golden Knights’ Goalie Split

Jan 20th 4:05 PM
Florida Panthers

Panthers Offense Flourishes but Goaltending & Special Teams Need Work

Jan 20th 3:15 PM
Column

Red Wings Wednesday Weekly: Hockey is Back Everyone!

Jan 20th 2:35 PM
Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks Seeing Hot Starts From Some but Serious Concerns Linger

Jan 20th 2:20 PM
NHL Entry Draft

2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini’s Top 75 Rankings

Jan 20th 1:50 PM
Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers’ Goaltending & Defense Among Standouts Through Week 1

Editor’s Picks
World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information