LEAFS SNAPSHOTS: New deal Nylander poised to lead mates in other ways

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William Nylander doesn’t wear a letter, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be a leader.

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That’s the intangible general manager Brad Treliving says he wants to see the Maple Leafs leading scorer continue to develop now that he’ll be around until 2032 with his contract extension.

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The team believes he’s already making those strides, while not officially part of the captain and alternates that encompass three of his fellow Core Four forwards.

“In my opinion, he’s taken a step already from where he has been,” coach Sheldon Keefe said before Tuesday’s home game against San Jose, Nylander’s first since the deal was announced. “He’s more vocal on the bench and probably the biggest thing for guys important to the team, your leadership is on the ice, the habits, the work ethic, being an example.

“A lot of nights, he’s put the team on his back and whether that’s Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews, John Tavares or Morgan Rielly on defence, everyone follows their lead.”

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Defenceman Mark Giordano says Nylander can fulfill greater potential impact on and off he ice.

“He works his game, sometimes on his own with extra time away from the group. Younger guys looking at him can learn you just can’t stay content, you have to evolve with the game.

“Willy jokes around with the boys, he’s easy to get along with. But his leadership comes with his play. Whenever we need a big goal, he’s the guy we rely on.”

SHARK WATCH

San Jose coach David Quinn, his team trying to put the brakes on an 11-game losing streak heading into Tuesday’s game, figured Nylander’s three-point game there Saturday was motivated by knowing his deal was coming 48 hours later.

“He looked like a $92-million player, bouncing around like a pogo stick, probably full of excitement,” Quinn said. “From afar it (looks like) he’s taken another step. They’ve done a good job with him. You show a level of patience with a player, this is what you get.”

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All 11 losses were in regulation, adding to the Sharks’ misery of residing in last place in the Pacific Division.

“You earn respect in a game, winning usually follows,” Quinn said of a poor effort Saturday compared to close losses to other clubs. “I don’t think anyone felt good about what happened against Toronto.”

Tuesday starts a five-game Eastern swing for the Sharks.

“This is cool, last year I was injured when we came,” King City native Mario Ferraro said. “My immediate family, I can help out with tickets, but fortunately I know some guys playing for Toronto (such as ex-Shark Noah Gregor).”

SAMMY SIGHTING

Ilya Samsonov has begun the next phase of his re-boot with the Leafs.

The struggling goaltender, who didn’t make last week’s California trip in favour of a break from the ice and solo workouts, practiced with the AHL Toronto Marlies on Tuesday. But Keefe would not say if Samsonov would now get a start on the farm.

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The Marlies have one home game remaining, Friday vs. Belleville, before a 10-game trip that family man Samsonov wouldn’t likely be asked to make.

“We’re just taking it a day at a time,” Keefe said. “Tree is leading the charge on his path and his plan. I know that today was progression for him.”

Dennis Hildeby continues to backup Martin Jones. If Samsonov remains on the farm, having cleared NHL waivers, Hildeby might be in line to work one of the weekend home games against Colorado or Detroit.

LOOSE LEAFS

Sharks veteran forward Logan Couture is not quite ready to rejoin the club after missing the entire first half of the season with a lower body injury … Tuesday’s game was on the eighth anniversary of Jones shutting out the Leafs for San Jose in a 7-0 win at the Shark Tank … Matthews’ next game-winning goal will be his 55th, tying Frank Mahovlich for third in franchise history.

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