The first two days of the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championships has done nothing but raise the level of excitement of Maple Leafs fans at the prospect of seeing 2014 first rounder William Nylander in a Blue and White uniform next season.
The 18-year-old center scored the game-winning goal in Sweden’s 5-2 victory over the Czech Republic on Friday and scored another in their 5-1 domination of Denmark on Saturday afternoon, prompting patrons at Air Canada Center to chant “Go Leafs Go… on both occasions.
Here's a video of the Nylander goal: https://t.co/Qsbhwl24M6
— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) December 27, 2014The Leafs continued their recent practice of not rushing their top picks to the NHL and after taking a long look at Nylander in training camp, decided to send him back to Sweden to play a full year in the SHL, where he is scoring at a point-per-game pace with MODO this season.
"He's a very talented young man. Very young still, 18, but he's got all the tools to become a great player in the National Hockey League," former Leafs captain Mats Sundin said to Stephen Whyno of Canadian Press "I thought it was a really smart move to let him go back and play in the Swedish Hockey League. He's not physically there yet, but he's still playing against men over there at a high level and he's going to keep developing."
Nylander signed a three-year entry-level deal last summer, which did not go into effect with his return to Sweden. If the speedy forward makes the Leafs next season, he will make just under $900,000, a bargain for a player that will likely be in the mix for a spot on the top two lines.
This will give GM Dave Nonis a number of options in the upcoming off-season in regards to cap considerations with players who are signed to long-term deals or looking for big money as restricted or unrestricted free agents.
Some believe that the 5’11…, 170 lb Nylander will start his NHL career on the wing and will not be strong enough or have the two-way ability to play center.
If Nylander’s immediate future is on the wing, it could make Joffrey Lupul an expendable commodity, as the veteran winger has another three years left on his current deal at $5.25 Million per season.
If the Leafs think that Nylander can handle the center challenge right away, it calls into question the future status of Nazem Kadri, who is expected to looking for in excess of $5 Million on a new contract this summer.
*******
The long road back for Leafs forward Leo Komarov took another forward step on Saturday, as the feisty Finn practiced with his teammates for the first time since being hit from behind by Washington's Alex Ovechkin on November 29.
Leafs head coach Randy Carlyle indicated that Komarov was cleared to participate in non-contact drills, but it does not appear that the winger's return to the lineup is imminent.
Toronto gets to enjoy another day of rest in sunny Florida while the Christmas break for 26 NHL teams ends on Saturday. The Leafs finish 2014 with three road games in four nights, beginning with Sunday's meeting with the Florida Panthers in Sunrise, FL at 5pm.
*******
The rumored interest in Los Angeles Kings center Mike Richards makes some sense for the Maple Leafs if certain factors fall into place. The two-time Stanley Cup winner and Olympic gold medalist has leadership abilities and is known as a clutch playoff performer and is just 29 years old.
The decline of his offensive numbers(11 goals in 13-14, 12 points in 35 games this season) can be connected to Richards decreasing ice time as the fourth line center behind Anze Kopitar, Jeff Carter and Jarret Stoll.
The Kings are in a cap quandary with RFA's Jordan Nolan, Tyler Toffoli and Tanner Pearson needing to be re-signed next summer, which would make dealing Richards $5.75 Million contract beneficial, but the Leafs have similar cap concerns with Cody Franson, Nazem Kadri and Jonathan Bernier all looking for new deals.
With the future of Slava Voynov in doubt, Kings GM Dean Lombardi could have interest in defenseman Jake Gardiner, whose free wheeling offensive risk-taking might be a better fit in Los Angeles with their defensive structure.
*******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.*******
For Those on Twitter: Follow @mikeinbuffalo
KINDLE USERS: Please sign up for Maple Leafs Buzz, which includes a free-of-charge 14-day trial and is just 99 cents per month afterwards. For more information click here.