William Nylander Under Fire for Lackluster Start
William Nylander has quickly emerged as a focal point among the Toronto Maple Leafs’ fanbase, but not for the reasons he might hope. Just three games into the new season, the team finds itself in a precarious position, having suffered two consecutive losses to the Detroit Red Wings and displaying a concerning lack of urgency on the ice.
While it’s undeniably early in the season to hit the panic button, Nylander’s performance has raised eyebrows, particularly for those who expect more from a player of his caliber. Despite being on the scoresheet, the superstar winger has appeared passive, prompting criticism from head coach Sheldon Keefe following Monday’s defeat.
Criticism from Former Players
Adding to the scrutiny, former Maple Leaf Jay Rosehill, who now serves as an analyst, did not hold back in his assessment of Nylander’s start this season. His comments cut deep, reflecting the frustration that many fans are feeling.
“The biggest thing to me is the intensity, and I guess just the effort level; it looks st,” Rosehill expressed candidly. “I mean, Willy Nylander is the leader of this team in a lot of ways; he’s one of the best players on the team. Man, that’s a good way to piss people off: to have that lackadaisical attitude towards the game, like you’re above it or you don’t care; it’s beneath you to try. It looks like st.”
Rosehill didn’t shy away from highlighting Nylander’s past issues with effort, suggesting that the winger needs to elevate his game, especially with Mitch Marner sidelined. “You can pull the clips of his lowlights of him not trying, and it’s like I would expect to be told to take my s**t off if I gave that kind of effort in that league,” he remarked. “I know Willy’s a different cat, but I’m not thrilled with the first handful of games I’ve watched.”
The Call for Urgency
With the season still in its infancy, Rosehill emphasized the need for Nylander to adopt a more serious approach. “It’s October — not a summer skate. You can’t play that casual and expect results,” he stated emphatically.
As the Maple Leafs look to turn their fortunes around, the pressure is on Nylander to step up his game and silence the critics. The fanbase, as well as the analysts, will be watching closely to see if he can rise to the occasion and contribute in a meaningful way as the season progresses.
