Max Domi and William Nylander reveal what it's been like playing with one another
Heading into the 2023-24 regular season, I don't think many of us had William Nylander transitioning to the center position on our bingo cards. The 27-year-old has moved from the 2nd line wing position to the third line center slot and has been building chemistry with newcomer, Max Domi. With Nylander down the middle, it gives the Toronto Maple Leafs a lethal 1-2-3 option in Auston Matthews, John Tavares, and Nylander.
Domi has played the center position sporadically in his career as well but he has moved around a lot since 2019-20. Toronto will be his 6th team in 5 years but this is probably his best opportunity at claiming the Cup and helping a very talented roster get over the hump. He explains what it's been like skating on a line with Nylander as they grow closer and closer by the day:
"Both of us like to make plays so that makes a big difference. He's such a good skater and when gets the puck in the middle of the ice, he's pretty lethal. He's a guy that - personally, I always thought he was a shooter - when you play with him you see the plays he can make and he can do both. A lot of respect for what he can do and definitely we're trying to build every single day... It's fun to play with him, fun hockey, and just gotta keep building."
Domi has been nothing short of excited since signing with the Maple Leafs in the off-season and given the opportunity to play with Nylander, he's learning more and more about the former first rounder that he never knew before:
"When you're a guy that can skate and make plays and you've been here for awhile, and you understand the system, pretty seamless. I said it since day 1, Willy is gonna do a great job and he's already doing a great job, he looks awesome, super comfortable and he's only going to get better."
As for Nylander, he's relishing the opportunity to drive his own line with a talented winger like Domi:
"I think we find each other really well and we've been creating some good chances and hopefully we can build off that stuff. I think we're getting better and better every day together.
He's got good speed and nice hands and sees the ice really well. I think we try and find each other in different ways in the zones and on rushes and stuff like that."
It's safe to say that both players have been working together seamlessly, which only bodes well for the Maple Leafs' chances this coming season. If they can have three loaded lines rolling out on a nightly basis, they will be very tough to stop. Nylander isn't out of place as a center either as he has had experience in the past. There's only one area that he feels he needs to improve:
"Just a little in D-zone, I mean I played center growing up, so it's not that big of a deal but just some d-zone stuff, system stuff that's a little different. I haven't played center in about 7 years and haven't really taken any draws in those 7 years, obviously it's going to take some time to get back in the face-off circle but felt good to come back to get some more draws and get some more wins."
| POLL |
SEPTEMBRE 29 | 172 ANSWERS Max Domi and William Nylander reveal what it's been like playing with one another How do you feel about Nylander at center going into the season? |
| I like the idea a lot | 70 | 40.7 % |
| I hate the idea | 14 | 8.1 % |
| It's a fun idea but I don't think it will last | 62 | 36 % |
| I think Domi and Nylander will trade off a lot | 26 | 15.1 % |
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