Craig Berube says Maple Leafs need more from William Nylander after first three games of season

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube is looking for more out of star forward William Nylander after the first three games of the season.

While Nylander notched three points in the season-opener against the Montreal Canadiens and added an assist in Saturday’s loss to the Detroit Red Wings, he only has one goal so far, and it was an empty-netter in the first game. Overall, he hasn’t looked like the difference-maker he’s paid to be, and Berube told reporters following Monday’s loss to the Red Wings that he needs Nylander to start shooting the puck more.

“Willy needs more shots,” Berube said when asked what he made of Auston Matthews and Nylander following the game. “He doesn’t have enough shots. He came into Detroit, he didn’t have any, had one or two tonight, we need to get it to him more. He needs to shoot more, he needs to attack more, he’s got to get on the inside more, things like that. So, yes, we do need more out of him.”

Berube calling out Nylander and asking him for more is not a circumstance of being singled out by the coach. In fact, Nylander has said multiple times in the past that he loves being told to do better. He’s the type of player who thrives on criticism, and it’s understood between the two parties that if Nylander is slipping, he’ll hear it from his coach. When asked what Nylander needs to do to get going again, Berube said that he just needs to keep his feet moving and remember what he’s capable of.

“There are shifts and times where he’s skating, but I just feel like it’s not enough,” Berube continued. “We need more out of him…I think it’s a little bit new linemates too, I don’t know exactly what it is to be honest with you, but I’ll have a conversation with him and he where he’s at and what’s going on.”

If you were to tell yourself this time last week that a Swedish player had three goals in the first three games of the season, Nylander would have been the betting favourite by a long shot. But, in fact, Calle Jarnkrok is the one who has found some early success. Despite having a roster spot in jeopardy heading into preseason, Jarnkrok was in the opening night lineup due to injuries and he’s taken every measure to ensure the Leafs have to think long and hard about their decision when everybody’s healthy.

Berube said that Jarnkrok’s success is the result of hard work and urgency.

“He goes out every shift and works,” Berube told reporters. “That’s his game and he’s in the right spot and capitalizing on some goals. Great to get that secondary scoring from guys, so he’s played really well.”

The Maple Leafs will face their first out-of-division opponent on Tuesday night when they host the Nashville Predators, and Berube stressed the importance of getting as many points as possible out of the gate. It will help their chances in what’s expected to be a much-improved Atlantic Division.

“Detroit is an improved team, we talked about Ottawa and Montreal before, it’s going to be a tough division, for sure.”