Toronto Maple Leafs Should Keep William Nylander in the AHL

William Nylander is the Toronto Marlies best player by far, but in spite of that, he still shouldn’t be called up to the Toronto Maple Leafs this season.

The Maple Leafs are in the midst of a projected four-to-five-year rebuild, but this first year of that process is the most crucial. This is the transition year, from the old core group of players to the guys who will be with the team until they are ready to compete. Part of this transition involves weeding out players who just don’t fit in with management’s view for the team or players who can’t adapt to Mike Babcock‘s coaching style.

Those players will be gone by the start of next season along with the guys who don’t have a place with the future of the team. So expect management to take a long look at players like Dion Phaneuf, Joffrey Lupul and Tyler Bozak to decide whether they fit with the direction the Leafs are headed.

The other reason why this transition season is so important is because the team is in flux with a new head coach and GM, as well as a number of players who are trying to impress Babcock and get a chance to secure a spot. Babcock has also regularly benched players who have played poorly for a number of games until he decides that they are ready to return to the lineup.

All of this is not a good environment for a rookie to grow and thrive in. The Leafs could have just called up a bunch of players from the minors for this season, but instead went and signed a bunch of mature guys to one-year contracts for a shot to earn a long-term deal. Management doesn’t have to worry about the development of those players as much.

By leaving Nylander in the AHL, it means that he can mature and grow in a safe environment away from the pressures of the fans and media of Toronto. He is also able to play in a winning environment, with the Marlies leading their division and being second in the AHL.

But with the way Nylander is playing, he will be on the Toronto Maple Leafs by next season. In 18 games this year, Nylander has 23 points, which leads the team in points and is also second in the league. Last season, he had 32 points in 37 games in his first campaign with the Marlies.

William Nylander is a dynamic and talented player who will get his chance with the Maple Leafs next year, but this year, he can develop in the AHL. It simply makes the most sense for his transition to the pros, and with the current standing of this Maple Leafs team.