Nylander's New Era: High Expectations for the Leafs Star under the Mega Deal

General Manager Brad Treliving secured Nylander's talents with an 8-year, $92 million deal, silencing any uncertainties about his continuity with the team. This move not only affirmed Nylander's integral role with the Leafs but also set the stage for his impact under the fresh contract starting in 2024-25.

Nylander's journey through the 2023-24 season was a tale of two halves. Before signing his lucrative extension, he was nothing short of stellar, notching 21 goals and 54 points in just 37 games. Post-extension, his pace dipped slightly, accumulating 19 goals and 44 points over the next 45 games. His playoff performance, though hampered by missing the first three games, was crucial in Games 6 and 7, despite the Leafs' eventual overtime loss to the Boston Bruins.

Looking ahead, the burning question is which version of Nylander will dominate in the upcoming season� the high-flying dynamo from the early 2023-24 or the latter struggling form? Nylander's historical performance suggests an optimistic outlook. After a shaky start in the 2018-19 season, he has shown consistent improvement, culminating in near back-to-back 40-goal campaigns and an impressive 98 points in the last full season.

The upcoming season harbors the potential for Nylander's first 100-point season, a milestone within reach given his trajectory. His strong start in the last season, highlighted by a 17-game point streak and accumulating 95 points in 73 games before a downturn, underscores his scoring prowess. If not for the undisclosed issues impacting his late-season form, his statistics could have soared even higher.

Nylander will continue to be a cornerstone for the Leafs, especially with no significant off-season additions to their offensive lineup. His role on the power play, where he has progressively excelled, will be vital. Under the guidance of Marc Savard, the Leafs' power play, which ranked seventh last season, aims to replicate or exceed the success of their 2022-23 campaign, which boasted the second-best power play in the league.

As William Nylander steps into the first year of his new mega-deal, expectations are sky-high. The Leafs' reliance on his offensive capabilities will be critical throughout the grueling 82-game season. Whether Nylander can channel his pre-contract extension form or if he encounters the struggles of late last season remains to be seen. However, one thing is certain: Nylander's performance will be pivotal not just for his own career trajectory but also for the Maple Leafs' aspirations in the coming seasons. 100 points is the benchmark for Nylander after a stellar 2023-24 campaign.

Source for William Nylander's statistics: Hockey-Reference
William Nylander