Maple Leafs Coach Craig Berube Confirms Official Assignments for Nylander, Domi

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube has officially announced where Max Domi and William Nylander will play this season.

The Toronto Maple Leafs did not make a move to bring in a 3rd line center this summer, and now we have a pretty good idea as to why. According to Craig Berube, the new bench boss in town, William Nylander is expected to move to center this season, confirming previous reports about the potential move.

Not only did Berube confirm that Nylander would be shifting over to center this season, he also announced that Max Domi would be his winger, which bodes well for both players given Domi’s status as a skilled playmaker and Nylander’s penchant for scoring at will.

Nylander has posted back-to-back 40-goal seasons, and while he doesn’t have a lot of experience playing with Domi, good players tend to adjust quickly to playing with other good players.

Berube noted that Nylander’s size, skill and ability to transition the puck well were the determining factors in why the coaching staff has opted to commit to the switch from wing to center.

The question on everyone’s minds very well might be related to whether or not Nylander will be the team’s 3rd line center or 2nd line center. As we are all well aware, John Tavares isn’t getting any younger. There have been conversations in recent years about potentially moving him to the wing. It doesn’t appear that that will be the case this season, since the Leafs are so thin at center. However, Berube and company may look to create some mismatches that Tavares could capitalize on by moving him to 3C, where foot speed might not be as important.

Time will tell how this all unfolds, but at least we know where both Nylander and Domi will play next season and that the need for a center may not be as dire as once thought.