Despite compiling 26 points in 16 outings so far this season, it’s been a weird start for William Nylander.

On the surface, the number’s sure look appetizing, but without question, upon further review, there’s indisputably room for growth in his game.

All in all, it’s been a mixed bag for the 29-year-old winger, who’s currently on pace for a career high 128 points.

To a degree, it’s unjust to place blame – regardless of how big or how small it is – on someone who’s putting up those kind of point totals. That said, for that hefty price tag, Nylander better be delivering in all facets of his game.

BREAKING NEWS: He’s not.

Not that he’s known for his defensive acumen, but there’s no question Nylander can do a lot more without the puck. Even by his standards, he’s looked lost far too frequently to start the 2025-26 campaign.

Yes, the points have been there, but he hasn’t controlled games the way he has in the past. Nylander has another level to get to. He knows it. His teammates know it. Craig Berube knows it.

Whatever’s holding him back, the Leafs need the very best from Nylander over the next little while as they attempt to crawl themselves out of this 8-9-2 hole. On top of that, with the injuries starting to pile up, everyone needs to elevate —including the second highest paid player on the team.

To be frank, if I had to comprise a list of concerns right now, Nylander’s play wouldn’t crack the top 3. With that in mind, I do think they need way more out of him moving forward. If he wants to be regarded as not only a top player on the team, but also in the league, he needs to find a way to consistently be a difference maker on a nightly basis.

Weirdly enough, that hasn’t been the case —at all. In fact, Nylander’s gone shifts and even nights where he’s looked virtually invisible. It’s been bizarre.

On top of all that, he’s not shooting the puck on net like he has in the past. As a matter of fact, entering Tuesday night’s game against St. Louis, Nylander has failed to notch a shot on goal in back-to-back games, something he hasn’t done in about six years (Dec. 2019). Through 16 outings, the winger’s registered just 33 measly shots on goal, which is a roughly an average of two shots per game. For comparison’s sake, that’s one full shot less than he’s averaged over 701 career games (2.9). Moral of the story: It’s time to start firing that puck again. Good things will happen.

Any way you slice it, if the Leafs are going to figure things out, they will need MORE from William Nylander moving forward. Plain and simple, he can’t be a passenger, he needs to be one of the best players on the ice on a nightly basis. End of story.