For the latest Leafs updates or Follow @mikeinbuffalo on Twitter
The Toronto Maple Leafs will be appearing on US networks during the upcoming 2019-20 regular season. NBC Sports will be broadcasting 109 games on the main network and on their affiliate NBCSN, and Toronto will be on three games.
The Leafs host two of the games at Scotiabank Arena; on Tuesday, December 17 against the Buffalo Sabres and on Monday, January 6 against Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers. The third game will be on Tuesday, February 18 at the PPG Paints Arena, when Toronto visits Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
This is a small number of games, but the Leafs are tied for the most appearances on US television with McDavid’s Oilers. Montreal, Calgary, Winnipeg and Vancouver all make one appearance and Ottawa has none.
*******
An interesting read from the Athletic’s Ian Tulloch regarding Leafs winger William Nylander, who he expects to have a significant bounce back year after struggling following a lengthy contract impasse last season.
Nylander scored 27 points (7 goals, 20 assists) in 54 regular season games and three points (1 goal, 2 assists) in seven playoff games last season. The 23-year-old appeared out of shape, seemed lethargic and never got up to speed after missing training camp and the first two months of the season and only showed flashes of the skill and speed that he displayed in his two 60-point seasons.
Tulloch believes that Nylander will spend most of next season on the right wing with Auston Matthews and his production should be better with top line ice time and more success on special teams.
It is likely that Nylander will play alongside Matthews, but that could be affected if the Leafs do not reach an agreement with Mitch Marner before the start of the regular season. That could force head coach Mike Babcock to spread out his forwards more to have three effective scoring lines.
It is also unlikely that Nylander will take Nazem Kadri’s spot on the top power play unit to start the season unless Marner is still unsigned or unless new assistant coach Paul McFarland plans to make significant changes.
After Kadri’s suspension in the playoffs, Andreas Johnsson drew most of the time on PP1 with Matthews, Marner, John Tavares and Morgan Rielly. With Kadri gone and with the addition of Tyson Barrie, it is possible that Johnsson will have a permanent home on the top unit instead of Nylander, and that Barrie (who had more power play points than Rielly last season) will quarterback the top power play and free up Rielly to take on more responsibilities at even strength and as a matchup defenseman.
*******
We have a new podcast out now. @IamNormanJames @MikeInBuffalo https://t.co/L7XV0syoLa
— The Leafs Convo (@TheLeafsConvo) July 23, 2019
*******If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising your business in the Greater Toronto / Southern Ontario area on this column, please send a message for more information by clicking on the “Contact… button at the top of the page.*******