NHL analysts voice concern over 'broken' William Nylander amid Maple Leafs' disappointing slump

The Toronto Maple Leafs’ ongoing struggles have begun to spark deeper concern with attention now turning toward one of the team’s most consistently composed stars, William Nylander.

Nylander’s recent demeanor and on-ice results have raised red flags as Toronto continues to search for answers during a frustrating slump having fallen in each of their last three contests. Speaking on Leafs Nation, analyst Nick Alberga pointed to a noticeable shift in Nylander’s mindset suggesting the winger no longer carries the same quiet confidence that once defined his game.

“This team is at its best when it’s calm, cool, and chilled,” Alberga said. “William Nylander is no longer calm, cool, and chilled. A month ago it was ‘no worries, we’ve got this.’ Now? That’s some concerning stuff right there. He’s broken.”

Fellow analyst Zach Phillips also referenced Nylander’s postgame comments and body language following Toronto’s most recent loss noting that the winger appeared visibly deflated. After watching the full video, Phillips said the concern went beyond selective quotes.

“His body language, his demeanor, you could tell that’s a defeated guy right now. He’s in a personal drought, and it feels like everything is starting to pile up.” “That’s the concerning point for the Maple Leafs. When it starts getting to a guy like Nylander, you know things aren’t in a good place,” Phillips added.

For a player long praised as the “coolest of the cool” in Toronto’s pressure-heavy market, Nylander has often been seen as someone insulated from outside noise. But it seems the toll of their downward spiral is beginning to wear even on him.

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Impact of disconnect in Maple Leafs locker room

William Nylander’s offensive production has dipped alongside the rest of the roster but analysts believe the issue runs deeper than numbers alone.

During the same segment, Zack Phillips pointed to a growing disconnect between the players and the system implemented under head coach Craig Berube. He said that it is beginning to impact both individual performance and team-wide results.

“There’s a recognition that these guys are either unable or unwilling to play the style Berube wants to play,” Phillips explained. “That’s negatively impacting their own production, which is then negatively impacting the team’s overall production and everybody knows it.”

Toronto currently sits 15-15-5 near the bottom of the Atlantic Division and Craig Berube’s job security is reportedly on the line amid the team’s struggles. Despite the pressure, former NHLer Jay Rosehill strongly defended Berube last week, arguing the issues run deeper than the coach and backed his leadership.

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Edited by Anjum Rajonno