Toronto Maple Leafs William Nylander takes a subtle jab at former coach Sheldon Keefe

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Daniel Lucente
September 20, 2024 (2:54 PM)

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Meeting the media for the first time in training camp, Leafs William Nylander didn't hold back when discussing some questionable decisions Sheldon Keefe made.

Thursday marked the long-awaited return of hockey in Toronto as the Maple Leafs took to the ice for the commencement of training camp. Hopes are high across the city as the fans, along with their team, are expecting a long spring of playoffs in the pursuit of the Stanley Cup.

One player to watch this season is forward William Nylander. Coming off of a great 2023-24 season in which he tallied a career-high 98 points, Nylander should continue to ascend. Indeed, he just may be changing positions to start the new year.

New head coach Craig Berube intends to try Nylander at centre, a position he has tinkered with in the past. The previous coaching regime, however, tried him there, and it didn't last very long.

When Nylander spoke with reporters on Thursday, he touched on his possible shift to centre and took a playful jab at his former coach Sheldon Keefe, now running the New Jersey Devils.

Keefe briefly tried Nylander at the centre during last year's training camp but didn't blink when moving him back to the wing. Asked why that trial was so short-lived, the now-28-year-old Nylander just smiled and said, "You'll have to ask him."

The Leafs are going to need the best out of Nylander and others if they hope to go deep this season. General Manager Brad Treliving made sure to fill out the backend with more size and experience during the offseason. Only time will tell if that will make a difference when the games get nasty and agonizing in the playoffs.

The Maple Leafs begin their season on October 9th, 2024, as they go against longtime rivals, the Montreal Canadiens.