William Nylander, the club?s 2014 first-round pick, has one prime objective for this season: play in the National Hockey League. It remains the goal as he continues his first full campaign in the American Hockey League, even as the organization insists that an opportunity to skate with the big club is no sure thing.
?Oh yeah, of course it is,? Nylander said of his desire to play for the Leafs this season. ?That?s the no. 1 goal. That?s what I want.?
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Though he was piling up about a point-per-game pace in the early going, Nylander was unhappy with his start. Sheldon Keefe, the Marlies first-year coach, labelled it as inconsistent, adding that Nylander had picked out numerous areas for improvement and confronted them head on.
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He and Keefe meet on the regular to discuss both the good and the bad of his play. Early on, there were issues in the defensive zone that had to be addressed; his play away from the puck had to improve.
?Recognizing is one thing, but to be able to go out and show that growth on the ice is another and he?s done that here, especially of late,? Keefe said. ?We?re looking forward to that process continuing.?
A self-assured individual, Nylander believes his first nine games this season were lacking. There wasn?t a specific issue he could point to; just a feeling like everything was a bit off. Both player and coach agree he?s had a more rounded effort the last few games.
?I don?t want to say Willie?s hard on himself,? Keefe said. ?I think he?s honest with himself.
?He?s very committed to getting better. He?s come here with the right attitude, the right approach and wants to get better. He wants to sit down and learn and listen and he encourages me to stay on him, to show him video. He?s not someone that shuts you out and is just going through the motions. He has tackled each day with the intention of getting better.?
