Bill the Thrill: Nylander appreciation thread

[Gary Nylund]

I love that we have them both, and two brilliant centres to go along with them.

I'm loving this year so much I may get a retro jersey custom with "Regular Season" on the back

LMAO.

Having both is indeed wonderful, I just hope we'll still have both two years from now. And most importantly, I hope this team does something in the post season.

 

[Dayjobdave]

LMAO.

Having both is indeed wonderful, I just hope we'll still have both two years from now. And most importantly, I hope this team does something in the post season.

I'm happy to get one with "Playoffs" for the wife

 

[Peasy]

Always figured Willy had this type of upside.

Literally spent years arguing with people on this board that wanted him gone and continually trashed him.

Now look at him, currently leading the Leafs in scoring ahead of MATTHEWS AND MARNER.

 

[ACC1224]

Always figured Willy had this type of upside.

Literally spent years arguing with people on this board that wanted him gone and continually trashed him.

Now look at him, currently leading the Leafs in scoring ahead of MATTHEWS AND MARNER.

Definately always had the offensive upside. It was his consistency and will at times that people took issue with.

 

[IPS]

I think it's more important to talk about how we can't afford him rather then enjoy him right now.

 

[Peasy]

Definately always had the offensive upside. It was his consistency and will at times that people took issue with.

Nah, he was definitely mistreated by a numerous amount of posters on this board. The amount of flack he would get for doin shit that 80% of the league does was just ridiculous. You can find clips of players givin up on plays on a nightly basis but Nylander was always picked apart. People acted/still act like this guy doesnt want to win etc, yet his work ethic off the ice has always been one of the best...

A young player having consistency issues? what a shock. Man was picked 8th overall, not 1st. People would constantly unfairly compare him to pasta because pasta had such a cheap deal and was a better player.

People were constantly upset at Nylander for what he wasn't, rather than enjoying him for what he is.

 

[ACC1224]

Nah, he was definitely mistreated by a numerous amount of posters on this board. The amount of flack he would get for doin shit that 80% of the league does was just ridiculous. You can find clips of players givin up on plays on a nightly basis but Nylander was always picked apart. People acted/still act like this guy doesnt want to win etc, yet his work ethic off the ice has always been one of the best...

A young player having consistency issues? what a shock. Man was picked 8th overall, not 1st. People would constantly unfairly compare him to pasta because pasta had such a cheap deal and was a better player.

People were constantly upset at Nylander for what he wasn't, rather than enjoying him for what he is.

You'll always have extreme takes. I think for the most part he was critiqued appropriately.

 

[notDatsyuk]

He's never had either a PPG season (though he came close once) or a 40 goal season so he most certainly is not a perennial 40 goal PPG player at this time.

People are still calling Tavares a 'perennial ppg' player, even though he has only done it four times in 13 seasons, and not since 2019.

But the comment was that that 'could be his peak' and since he's been close to both before and well over that pace now, 'could be' is entirely reasonable.

 

[notDatsyuk]

I'm happy to get one with "Playoffs" for the wife

Reminds me of the mixed softball team from the systems department at work: the mens' shirts said 'hardware' and the womens' said 'software'.

I t was a number of years ago.

 

[Gary Nylund]

People are still calling Tavares a 'perennial ppg' player, even though he has only done it four times in 13 seasons, and not since 2019.

But the comment was that that 'could be his peak' and since he's been close to both before and well over that pace now, 'could be' is entirely reasonable.

Not sure what people have or haven't said about Tavares so I guess I'll take your word for it. Pretty big difference between the two though, I just had a peek and unless I messed up the math (admittedly possible), not only has JT done it 4 times, he's also averaged almost .95 PPG for his entire career. Willie hasn't done it once, and his career average is a little over .8 PPG for his career.

 

[notDatsyuk]

Not sure what people have or haven't said about Tavares so I guess I'll take your word for it. Pretty big difference between the two though, I just had a peek and unless I messed up the math (admittedly possible), not only has JT done it 4 times, he's also averaged almost .95 PPG for his entire career. Willie hasn't done it once, and his career average is a little over .8 PPG for his career.

You don't have to take my word for it, just read a bunch of the threads here.

And yes, Tavares is still .941 ppg while Nylander is now up to .813. And yes, as I said, JT did it 4 times.

But you seem to have missed the main point - Willy 'could be'. Yes, the potential is pretty obviously there.

Especially if he continues to get top line usage (this year is his first time on a regular basis, and look at his numbers), which is where JT had all his ppg seasons.

 

[Gary Nylund]

You don't have to take my word for it, just read a bunch of the threads here.

And yes, Tavares is still .941 ppg while Nylander is now up to .813. And yes, as I said, JT did it 4 times.

But you seem to have missed the main point - Willy 'could be'. Yes, the potential is pretty obviously there.

Especially if he continues to get top line usage (this year is his first time on a regular basis, and look at his numbers), which is where JT had all his ppg seasons.

But I'm happy to take your word for it.

I think you misunderstood my point or misread my post or something. I said Willy is not a perennial PPG player, and he isn't. If you want to talk about what he "could be", go right ahead but that has nothing to do with what I said so quoting me doesn't really make any sense.

 

[Menzinger]

Nah, he was definitely mistreated by a numerous amount of posters on this board. The amount of flack he would get for doin shit that 80% of the league does was just ridiculous. You can find clips of players givin up on plays on a nightly basis but Nylander was always picked apart. People acted/still act like this guy doesnt want to win etc, yet his work ethic off the ice has always been one of the best...

A young player having consistency issues? what a shock. Man was picked 8th overall, not 1st. People would constantly unfairly compare him to pasta because pasta had such a cheap deal and was a better player.

People were constantly upset at Nylander for what he wasn't, rather than enjoying him for what he is.

Agreed. And many of those critiques thrown at him could have been leveled at the other young guys at different times but often conveniently didn't. Nylander is one of the biggest draft success stories in franchise history given that he was taken outside of the top 5, but that got lost on too many people at.the time because of the embarrassment of riches that the team has in terms of young skilled talent.

Regardless, all ancient history in the grand scheme of things at this point.

 

[saffronleaf]

overall yet another excellent game

but lol in OT when he tried playing dman... that was rough.

 

[notDatsyuk]

But I'm happy to take your word for it.

I think you misunderstood my point or misread my post or something. I said Willy is not a perennial PPG player, and he isn't. If you want to talk about what he "could be", go right ahead but that has nothing to do with what I said so quoting me doesn't really make any sense.

The post you quoted originally said that he 'could be'. You misunderstood or misread that post.

 

[Willchel Marlynder]

It seems like this season has been a massive Marner love-fest. All season long, everyone is constantly raving about how Marner is so awesome. 1st team all-star, best season ever, best all-time Maple Leaf when he's done, franchise player, better than Matthews blah blah blah but it looks to me like Nylander is just quietly going about his business and outplaying him.

Impressive!

I think with Marner he's also a defensive dynamo. He's a top 5 winger in the league when you look at both Offense and Defense. Nylander has been amazing offensively and he's been fine defensively.

Offensively I think Nylander is right there with Marner right now, both bring different skill sets but are elite at bringing offense. I'm still surprised that even with one of the best ES goal scorers in the NHL on the team, Nylander leads the team in ES points over the past couple of year)

 

[81Leafs50]

I did some stats analysis of Marners centers this season and how they have fared stats wise as compared to when they play with Nylander.

 

[ZEBROA]

Nah, he was definitely mistreated by a numerous amount of posters on this board. The amount of flack he would get for doin shit that 80% of the league does was just ridiculous. You can find clips of players givin up on plays on a nightly basis but Nylander was always picked apart. People acted/still act like this guy doesnt want to win etc, yet his work ethic off the ice has always been one of the best...

A young player having consistency issues? what a shock. Man was picked 8th overall, not 1st. People would constantly unfairly compare him to pasta because pasta had such a cheap deal and was a better player.

People were constantly upset at Nylander for what he wasn't, rather than enjoying him for what he is.

People have short memory. Nylander has been treated like sh*t. And he has not said a word about it. Marner has been treated bad to but a lot less. His stupid ways to try to talk his way out of stuff dont help. Nylander has been Leafs poster scapegoat until the last 2years.

So many stupid takes on Nylanders game its almost Impressive. Yes he stands a bit away from the board to se where the puck goes or to take/cover a quick pass. People may not like that, but it is not a bad play. Yes he circles back to find someone in better position with speed or get a better shoot lane. Instead of bad angel shot from the outside.

Do people only understand one play in hockey? Going directly on goal is not the only right way.

Ok thats my rant for this year.

 

[ULF_55]

Is he underrated? Or is it just puck luck? I wonder how many points he would have playing with a hot Matthews. (not that Matthews is bad, he is just not his best).

He'd probably have more assists, although Bunting has heated up since his slow start.

 

[Gary Nylund]

The post you quoted originally said that he 'could be'. You misunderstood or misread that post.

Wrong. Go back and look again, I never quoted that post at all. The post I quoted was a response to the person who said "could be" and the response was - "Isn't that what he's doing now?". And no, he's not doing that now, he's not a perennial PPG player at this time.

I think with Marner he's also a defensive dynamo. He's a top 5 winger in the league when you look at both Offense and Defense. Nylander has been amazing offensively and he's been fine defensively.

Offensively I think Nylander is right there with Marner right now, both bring different skill sets but are elite at bringing offense. I'm still surprised that even with one of the best ES goal scorers in the NHL on the team, Nylander leads the team in ES points over the past couple of year)

It's amazing isn't it? People keep talking about M&M and how great they are and Nylander flies below the radar. To be sure, he's been on a tier below them until now but holy crap is he ever killing it this season!

 

[ULF_55]

It's amazing isn't it? People keep talking about M&M and how great they are and Nylander flies below the radar. To be sure, he's been on a tier below them until now but holy crap is he ever killing it this season!

Having a great season so far, but it isn't even half a season is it?

I think it is just who he is, not too high not too low.
Never really got the kid glove treatment in Toronto.

 

[notDatsyuk]

Wrong. Go back and look again, I never quoted that post at all. The post I quoted was a response to the person who said "could be" and the response was - "Isn't that what he's doing now?". And no, he's not doing that now, he's not a perennial PPG player at this time.

I see. You just misunderstood the difference between 'now' and 'perennial'.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Having a great season so far, but it isn't even half a season is it?

I think it is just who he is, not too high not too low.
Never really got the kid glove treatment in Toronto.

Taking away people's ability to like posts seems like a counterproductive idea. We can still like them, it's just that we have to quote the post in order to say so which just clutters up the forum. If anyone's listening, consider this an "opportunity for improvement".

Like.

I see. You just misunderstood the difference between 'now' and 'perennial'.

No, that was someone else.

 

[notDatsyuk]

No, that was someone else.

So the post you say you quoted said 'now' and you said 'perennial', but you didn't confuse the two?

Did you deliberately change the subject?

 

[Gary Nylund]

So the post you say you quoted said 'now' and you said 'perennial', but you didn't confuse the two?

Did you deliberately change the subject?

Seems like you're having trouble understanding this exchange of posts. Perhaps you missed the original one that started this - hint, I wasn't the first one to use the word perennial.

This is already the 10th post on this subject between you and me on this page alone and I'm pretty sure we've cluttered this thread enough. I suggest we agree to disagree, show some respect to other people who post here and stop polluting this thread. Or if you really can't drop it, send me a PM.