William Villeneuve’s Offensive Game Is Clicking - But He Knows That’s Not Enough to Earn His Shot in Toronto
William Villeneuve has been doing what many young defensemen dream of - putting up points from the blue line. With 12 points in 20 games, the Toronto Maple Leafs prospect has shown flashes of the offensive upside that made him an intriguing pick in the first place. But even Villeneuve knows that’s only half the battle.
“I think I could be better, and I will be,” Villeneuve said in a recent interview. “It’s just a question of trying to put everything together and have a complete game.”
And that’s the key. The offense is there - the vision, the passing, the playmaking instincts.
But when it comes to cracking an NHL lineup, especially one as top-heavy and scrutinized as Toronto’s, being a one-way player isn’t going to cut it. Villeneuve is well aware that his defensive game has to catch up if he’s going to make that leap.
A Talented Prospect in a Crowded Pipeline
There’s been some outside chatter about whether Villeneuve is getting a fair shot. Since Brad Treliving took over as general manager, the sense is that players drafted under Kyle Dubas - like Villeneuve - may face a tougher road to the NHL. That’s not something Villeneuve has commented on directly, but it’s part of the broader conversation around Toronto’s development pipeline.
What’s clear is that the Leafs haven’t given Villeneuve a real look at the NHL level yet. And with the injuries piling up on the blue line - including key names like Brandon Carlo and Chris Tanev - you’d think there might be an opportunity.
But the Leafs are looking for reliability right now, not just offensive upside. And Villeneuve knows that.
The Cost of Creativity
While the points are encouraging, there’s been a noticeable dip in Villeneuve’s defensive numbers this season. His plus-minus has taken a hit, and that’s not lost on him. He’s not shying away from the fact that his game still needs refining, especially in his own zone.
“I think it’s being more consistent,” he said. “It’s the thing we’ve been talking about for a couple of years now. I just want to find a way to have a stable game, where I can be relied on every single night.”
That’s the kind of self-awareness you want to see from a young defenseman. Villeneuve isn’t sugarcoating anything - he knows that flashy passes and offensive zone confidence are great, but they won’t mean much if he’s a liability in his own end.
December’s Focus: Consistency and Trust
Villeneuve pointed to November as a month where his play was a bit up and down. Now, heading into December, he’s locked in on becoming a more dependable presence every night. That’s the kind of growth mindset that could eventually earn him the trust of the coaching staff - both with the Marlies and potentially the Maple Leafs.
“Just being more consistent overall,” he said. “I want to find a way… to be a little bit more reliable and more consistent.”
It’s not just about putting up numbers anymore. It’s about becoming the kind of player who can be trusted to eat minutes, make the right reads, and avoid the kind of defensive lapses that can derail a young defenseman’s NHL hopes.
What’s Next?
Villeneuve’s offensive game is NHL-caliber. That much is clear.
But in a league where coaches prioritize trust and structure - especially on the back end - he’ll need to keep rounding out the rest of his game. If he can bring more consistency to his defensive play, it could not only help the Marlies in their chase for the Calder Cup, but also give the Leafs a homegrown option to bolster their blue line depth.
He’s close. And he knows what it’ll take to get there. Now it’s about doing it night in and night out.