I think it's because he handles the puck so well and is such a great skater.
Wingers tend to just use their speed to fly down the wing on a rush... whereas if Nylander was a center, he could carry the puck up the ice and gain the offensive zone and then look for a pass.
He seems like a guy who can very much control the play and he's better positioned to do that from center.
I think having Matthews with Nylander is a bit redundant. I would rather Matthews with Marner.
Also, Kadri was essentially playing a in 3rd line checking role this past season and he did amazing. So having Kadri as our third center behind Matthews and Nylander is exactly what we want.
Just chalk up the Leafs being in on every worthwhile player out there. What happened to the mgmt that doesn't let anything out to the media or do people not believe in that anymore? When mgmt doesn't let anything out to the public, the media has to come up with some rumours to balance it out.
I'm still wondering how McDavid is managing in Edmonton. One massive problem with coming from Toronto is that it's probably the most "Old World" city in the English-world world outside of New York City. That relatively more compact, neighborhood/transit-oriented form isn't really present in Edmonton.McDavid's camp started the negotiations wanting a 5yr deal, obviously he cant wait to get to UFA to join the leafs
Here's a thought on Duchene...
Rumour was that the Isles offered Hamonic + 1st and Sakic turned it down. Maybe Lou is after Duchene to get his hands on Hamonic?
Duchene would make us even stronger in an area where we are already very strong...Which isnt necessarily a bad thing.
He would be a terrific add the issue is the price tag.
He is actually a very good fit as his contract ends at the same time as Matthews Marner and Gardiner which gives us options. There is a high chance we dont resign him but you never know what the cap will be or what kind of contract he will deserve.
I would definitely try and get him if the price was moderate.
Toronto is in on everything haha. Literally all players.
You know Hamonic is now in Calgary, right?