The William Nylander to center experiment is being revived this fall and his brother, Alex Nylander, offers up his opinion on how the trial will go under a new coach.

A lot has been made of William Nylander’s move to center at this year’s training camp, but until we see it yield results on the ice, there’s really not much point in dwelling on it or focusing on it too hard. Nylander has an understanding with new head coach Craig Berube that his trial won’t be a short one at the position, like it was in the brief look at center under Sheldon Keefe, whom Nylander had taken a shot at earlier in the week.

When asked about his brother’s trial run at center this week, Alex Nylander, who is currently on an AHL contrac, hoping to earn himself an NHL deal, expressed a lot of positivity surrounding his brother’s ability to take on the role and thrive in it. At approximately the 2:40 mark in the video below, Nylander discusses his brother’s move to center, affirming his belief that William will succeed this time where he has failed in the past.
“I think he’ll be fine. He’s played that role before in his career and, you know, I think he can play anywhere. I think he’ll do really [well] there, or just as good on the wing.”

Nylander’s linemates for the experiment at center, at least to start, are already known. The multi-time 40-goal scorer has been skating with Max Domi and fellow Swede Calle Jarnkrok on what could end up being a very dangerous trio.

Nylander panning out at center would be a boon for the Maple Leafs, who did not acquire a 3rd line center this summer via trade or free agency. His success in the position would be even more welcome after rookie center Fraser Minten suffered a high-ankle sprain during the 2024 Prospects Showcase in Montreal last weekend.