As the Maple Leafs navigate what the post Mitch Marner squad will look like, Toronto forward Matthew Knies has revealed an interesting option to potentially replace him on the top line to play with Auston Matthews.
Via The Toronto Star, Knies mentioned William Nylander as the possible Leafs top line forward solution. The nice aspect of this idea is the answer to the problem would be within the Toronto organization, so the Leafs would not have to go out and make a trade to replace Marner. They would not have to give up any more assets that with their cap situation they would have to part with in order to make a big splash.
Nylander and Matthews also have spent their entire tenure together as teammates on Toronto, so the chemistry is already there. Although in the past the Leafs have preferably preferred to keep the two separated in even strength play as to divide the power throughout the lineup.
Why should the Leafs play Matthews and Nylander together?
Now that the Leafs have lost Auston’s main running mate, Toronto may have no choice but to play Matthews and Nylander together on a nightly basis. It may be their best play in regards to mimicking the chemistry that Matthews and Marner displayed.
Nylander is a talent that can absolutely compliment Matthews on a game by game basis. The 29 year old Swede recorded 45 goals and 39 assists for 84 points in 82 games last season. Matthews is looking to bounce back after a tougher season for his standards last year in which he registered 33 goals and 45 assists for 78 points in 67 games in a injury riddled season.
