PHOTO: Bildbyrån + TT Nyhetsbyrån
Our Swedish NHL stars have had a dream start to the new season.
Both Elias Pettersson and William Nylander have scored points.
– Sweden always has some of the league’s best players, but this season is probably better than ever before, says respected TSN journalist Chris Johnston to Sportbibeln.
What a thunderous season we have going on in the NHL seen from blue-yellow eyes. Where both superstars Elias Pettersson and William Nylander has impressed greatly for his teams and absolutely east in points.
The Swedish blockbuster
Pettersson, who topped 100 points last season, has gotten off to a flying start to the Vancouver Canucks season and is tied for the league scoring lead with an impressive 26 points in 16 games. But Nylander doesn’t want to be worse and has delivered 22 points in 15 games for the Toronto Maple Leafs so far.
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Now the NHL has moved in with Sweden temporarily and then the North Americans will pay great tribute to Swedish hockey. Chris Johnston on TSN is one of the hockey world’s most respected journalists and he is full of admiration for Elias and William.
– We notice that there are not very many Canadians at the top of the points league… Pettersson has had a fantastic start to the season, William Nylander has probably had his best period ever in Toronto. Sweden always has some of the league’s best players, but this season is probably better than ever before, he tells Sportbibeln.
Paying tribute to Pettersson
When it comes to Pettersson in particular, the TSN guru is not particularly surprised. He has already shown the incredible top level in the league before, but now he is well on his way to taking the last step towards absolute world class.
– I wouldn’t say I’m surprised, that guy plays with a lot of motivation. We’ve seen how good he can be when he’s at his best, and you know, he’s not under contract until next season… He’s got a little extra motivation, and things have been going well for the Vancouver Canucks in general. But I wouldn’t say I’m surprised, he’s been one of the best forwards in recent seasons, Johnston admits.
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How high do you rate him in the league?
– I probably have to see a little more of him. I always have Connor McDavid number one, but he has had a slow start to the season. Elias is a top five forward in the league right now, but I dare not go higher than that. But who knows how this season will play out? Should he win the points league, I will look at it differently. But there is no doubt that he is one of the best players in the world and the Canucks should be happy to have him.
READ MORE: Toronto Maple Leafs’ fine action in Sweden – in honor of club legend Börje Salming: “Phenomenal”
Concern for Nylander
Nylander’s success in turn puts great pressure on the Toronto Maple Leafs and here the NHL team must act soon as the Swede is in the last year of his NHL contract.
– I think he stays in Toronto, I really do. It’s a challenge for the team given the salary cap, and William Nylander deserves a raise. But I just get the feeling that he wants to stay and Toronto wants to keep him, and when you have those two ingredients, usually smart people find solutions. But at the same time, it cannot be ignored; we are in the middle of november, he has no new contract. There is a lot of pressure on the Leafs to solve this, says Johnston in the interview.
Is there a risk it will be like last time, when he missed the season opener and waited out the Maple Leafs?
– The difference now is that he can sign for any club he wants, last time he was tied to Toronto. I think the dynamic has changed, it’s a new general manager, he’s shown so much more now and been in the league longer. I think Toronto will push hard to resolve this. But if we’re talking about this in March, and nothing is clear, then I’d be genuinely worried.
Who do you think will score the most NHL points this year out of Pettersson and Nylander? Share the article and have your say!
READ MORE: Canadian media can’t stop laughing at the Swedish question to William Nylander: “Ridiculous”
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