Nylander is averaging nearly two minutes less than he played last season.
William Nylander has been spending considerable time talking with Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube both before and after practices.
Much of this took place before Nylander broke out with a goal and two assists in Monday's 6-4 victory over the Winnipeg Jets.
It turns out that some of their discussion has focused on ice time.
Last season, Nylander averaged 19:55 per game, but under Berube, this has dropped to 18:01 through 10 games in the 2024-25 season.
"Yeah, I mean that is a little bit what I've been trying to talk to Chief about, to get that ice time back to where it was before," Nylander said during the club's morning skate ahead of their game against the Seattle Kraken. "I think it helps my game a lot to do what I want to be able to do out there, so yeah, hopefully something to figure out."
Part of the reduced ice time stems from the Leafs’ high penalty count this season. Unlike before, Nylander is no longer being used regularly on the penalty kill, as Berube has opted to rotate multiple players, including Auston Matthews, into the role.
"Yeah, PK-ing is fun. I mean it's good to get in the game that way. I mean we took a lot of penalties and stuff like that, so it keeps you going. But yeah, of course, I miss PK-ing."
The Leafs head into Thursday's games fifth in the league in times shorthanded with 41.
"I don't focus on ice time so much. I mean, I get Willy out there quite a bit. A lot. I mean, a lot of key situations," Berube responded. "But, you know, at the same time, you know, I have said this all along. We want to we want to be a good team. We want everybody needs to be involved. So I try to get Willy out there as much as I can."
Nylander had been in a three-game point drought until Monday's game when he was paired for the first time as a trio with John Tavares and Max Pacioretty.
Berube has no problem with Nylander asking for more time, but reaffirmed his priorities.
"I do try to get him, you know, more. We talk about it. And he killed penalties last year. He's not killing penalties this year a little bit of ice time there, that's off," Berube reasoned. "What I do is I try to get him out there, if deserved, as much as I can."
The Swede leads the team in goals, with six, and has four assists through 10 games.
