Nylander Criticized, Vegas Rebuild, Playoff Push

On March 28th, Toronto Maple Leafs coach Craig Baroube is putting William Nylander on blast early in the 2025-26 season.

After just three games, he said Nylander needs to attack the net more, shoot the puck, and get inside.

By March 20th, following a three game scoreless stretch, Baroube pulled him aside and stressed shooting over playmaking, especially on the power.

Play. Nylander gets it, but his shots per game are on pace for a career low.

Meanwhile, the Vegas Golden Knights are staring down their first losing record since joining the league.

With nine games left, they've got 36 wins and 79 points, their worst full season total yet.

This cutthroat team has traded prospects, picks, and even soured on Mark Andre Flurry to chase cups.

Come Summer, almost 12 million in cap space awaits decisions on guys like Pavel Dora Faev and Riley Smith.

But a thin prospect pool and missing.

Draft picks through 2028 dims the future.

In the playoff hunt, Pittsburgh holds second in the division with 88 points, while Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Islanders tie at.

87. Columbus has a game in hand, but lags and regulation wins.

Still, since Rick Bownes took over for the fire coach, they've got 19 wins, four losses, four ties, playing like contenders.

Bownes isn't sweating the analytics like expected goals or shots.

He wants his squad nastier to grind out wins.

Looking ahead, he called the next 10 games their tough is yet, but oozes confidence though clinches spot and thrives deeper in.

These tensions in Toronto, Vegas's rebuild vibes, and that gritty central push show the NHL's regular season heating up fast, setting the stage for.

Some wild offseason moves, NHL news today, powered by AI bringing you what matters on and off the field.

I'm Corey with the story.