Keefe: Nylander starting to separate himself from others in NHL

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe is seeing a lot of growth from forward William Nylander in the early days of his ninth NHL season.

"He's continuing to progress and taking charge," he told reporters Monday, including Sportsnet. "His confidence is at an all-time high right now in his ability and what he can do and all of that. It certainly is an improved Willy.

"Is it new? I think he took really big steps for us last season - he has each season, but it's gotten to a point now where he's starting to really separate himself from a lot of others in the league."

Nylander has racked up three goals and five points through two games this season, trailing only Auston Matthews for the most on the team in both categories. His strong start to the campaign isn't a total surprise given that Nylander reached new heights in 2022-23 with 40 goals and 87 points in 82 games.

He was also one of the Maple Leafs' best players during the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, chipping in with four goals and 10 points in 11 games while helping Toronto win its first postseason series since 2004.

Nylander burned the Minnesota Wild on Saturday with a stellar two-goal showing that had teammate Morgan Rielly singing his praises after the game.

"Will is, I think, one of the best players in the world, especially carrying the puck in the neutral zone, carrying the puck on the perimeter of the offensive zone," the defenseman said. "He has these skills that are almost unmatched in my opinion and I think in lots of people's opinion."

Nylander's electric performance is coming at a great time on an individual level. He is currently playing out the final year of the six-year, $45-million extension that he signed in December 2018 and can hit free agency next summer. The 27-year-old has been eligible to sign a new pact since July 1.

The Swede has made it clear that he wants to stay with the team that drafted him eighth overall in 2014 and recently indicated that he and his camp are open to continuing negotiations throughout the season.

For general manager Brad Treliving, the feeling is mutual.

"William is a terrific player," the executive said in August, per Sportsnet's Luke Fox. "He's a star, and you want to keep your good players."

Nylander has amassed 180 goals and 435 points in 523 career NHL games. He reached the 80-point plateau in each of the last two seasons.

The Maple Leafs are projected to have around $33 million in cap space next summer. Alongside Nylander, the likes of Ilya Samsonov, Tyler Bertuzzi, and T.J. Brodie can all become unrestricted free agents as well.