Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Pietroniro, Solow, Nylander & McMann – Hockey Writers – Toronto Maple Leafs

In this edition of Toronto Maple Leafs News & Rumors, I will report on two recent signings for the American Hockey League's (AHL) Toronto Marlies. I will then share data from NHL Edge about the team's skate speed and their shot speed.

Finally, I will look at two important members of the list. The other is William Nylander, an established star who should be happy about the signing of his brother Alex, and Bobby McMann, who had a surprising breakout season cut short by injury.

Item 1: Toronto Marlies Bolster Roster With AHL Signings

The Maple Leafs' AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, have made significant moves to strengthen their roster ahead of the 2024-25 season. Weekend signings included defender Matteo Pietroniro and the return of former Kelly Cup winner Zach Solow.

Related: Maple Leafs' Low-Risk, High-Reward Signing of Alex Nylander

Pietroniro, a familiar face last season, is expected to bring his defensive game back to the team, having played 40 games and collected nine points. Meanwhile, Solow, who rejoined the Marlies two years ago, showed impressive growth last season, contributing 26 points in 66 games—a significant jump from his previous performance. While these signings are expected to strengthen the Marlies roster, their impact on the NHL roster will likely be minimal.

Item 2: Maple Leafs Skaters Speediest and Shots Hardest

Here's some interesting data from NHL Edge that shows the Maple Leafs' top speed numbers and the frequency of top speed blasts from last season. I also included data on the speed of the Maple Leafs shooters. Below, I'll organize these into the top five in each category – are the results surprising?

For example, John Tavares' velocity bursting over 20 miles per hour (mph) seems like an incredible feat, given how often fans hear about his declining velocity. Also, who would have guessed how hard Max Domi could shoot the puck?

Here are the Maple Leafs' top five players in each category:

Top speed (mph)

1. Bobby McMann – 23.45
2. Simon Benoit – 22.56
3. Max Domi – 22.52
4. Pontus Holmberg – 22.51
5. Auston Matthews – 22.47

Speed ​​Bursts Over 20 mph

1. Bobby McMann – 143
2. William Nylander – 141
3. Max Domi – 111
4. John Tavares – 105
5. Matthew Knies – 98 (arrested)
6. Pontus Holmberg – 98 (tied)
7. Morgan Rielly – 98 (arrested)

Related: NHL Rumors: Ducks, Flyers, Leafs

Maximum Firing Speed ​​(mph)

1. William Nylander – 96.51
2. Max Domi – 96.46
3. Nick Robertson – 95.56
4. Ryan Reaves – 95.24
5. Oliver Ekman-Larsson – 93.21

Number of Shots on Net Over 90 mph

1. William Nylander – 10
2. Nick Robertson – 6
3. Oliver Ekman-Larsson – 3
4. Max Domi – 2 (arrested)
5. Matthew Knies – 2 (arrested)

Item 3: William Nylander: Now a Fixed Star

William Nylander's undeniable skill and powerful shooting make him a valuable player for the Maple Leafs. As shown in Item Two, he is known for his speed, and rightly so. He often explodes over 20 mph and over 90 mph with his shot, making him extremely valuable on the power play. Over the years, he has changed from being called lazy to a key player whose commitment and ambition are unquestionable. After signing a long-term contract, Nylander is poised to continue driving the team's success with his unique skills, consistency, and inner drive.

As Nylander enters this regular season, two things stand out. First, he's a welcome core member, even surpassing Mitch Marner as the next best thing since Auston Matthews. Given his new contract, he should be ready to be famous. How will he get out of the gate in the regular season now that he's been with the team for so long?

The second change is the organization's recent commitment to him through an attorney, as they signed his brother Alex to a one-year contract with the Marlies. That should feel good for Nylander. Although he often acts like he doesn't care, there's a sense that he cares more deeply than anyone knows. When he left the team for the Ottawa Senators, Connor Brown spoke in an interview about how much Nylander is a hard worker of the rink. He mentioned that he practices more than anyone and is always on top, perfecting his game.

Related: Maple Leafs Need to Focus on Bottom-Six and Youth

It will be interesting to see what Nylander does this season. Can he score 50 points? It's not out of the realm of possibility. He has a good shot, he is quick, versatile and can go to the net. He reminds me of Glenn Anderson from the Edmonton Oilers' heyday. With these new developments, Nylander will have an even more significant impact this season.

Item 4: Bobby McMann: Rising Talent

Unlike Nylander, Bobby McMann is a young player, still finding his place on the team. As shown in Item Two, McMann's impressive skating skills, size, and physicality make him a potential asset for the Maple Leafs. Despite playing fewer games than some of his teammates, he had a top speed of over 20 mph and was the only Maple Leaf to break the 23 mph mark, showing his ability to beat defenders in front of the opposing net.

Last season, former coach Sheldon Keefe highlighted McMann's importance to the team, especially noting the impact of his absence late in the season due to injury. McMann's relentless effort, physicality, and speed should make him a breakout season if given the chance. Given his tendencies, new coach Craig Berube might give McMann that chance.

What's Next for Maple Leaves?

Depending on how the Maple Leafs use Nylander and McMann, this season could be significant for each player. Questions arise about their roles and impact: What should happen to Nylander and McMann? How should the Maple Leafs use them to maximize their impact? Is there a chance that Berube can join the line of Matthews, Marner, and Nylander?

What can fans expect from these two players, and what role will they play in the team's plans? Nylander is already a cornerstone, and McMann is poised for a breakout season if given the chance.