Willy Stylez
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- Mar 14, 2015
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C William Nylander (2014, 8th, TOR) IX
- Thread starter King Mapes
- Start date
It's been 8 games. Nylander also had the advantage of playing a couple games last year that undoubtedly prepare him for this season.
So far Nylander has been better than Matthews but if Matthews can put up 10 points while there is a better player on his line, the sky is the limit for him once he finally adjusts to playing with the Leafs and gets more ice time. I think Matthews will take off around the Centennial Classic.
Very exciting times for the Leafs. On any given night, one of these three are the best players for the Leafs.
I'm still hoping for a game where a vet is the best player (in a good way where the youngsters also play well). Yesterday may of been the closest with Andersen having a strong game. To be somewhat competitive this year (and by that I mean not be in the bottom 5) we need a couple games where Rielly, Kadri and JVR are the best players.
Sens of Anarchy
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Nylander would get my early vote for the Calder.
Leafs are playing better. The kids are really fun to watch. Add 1 very good D man and look out they could be close
Leafs are playing better. The kids are really fun to watch. Add 1 very good D man and look out they could be close
Sens of Anarchy
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He's also way more prepared for the NHL grind having significant AHL experience which plays a fairly grueling schedule without the amenities of an NHL club.
Coaches Coroner
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- Apr 27, 2005
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He's off to a great start, but let's not get carried away. He's been a pretty streaky player to date, and would not be surprised to see him have a few rough stretches like most rookies. His production so far has been heavily reliant on PP (Leafs are 24% on PP and he's got a point on all 6 PP goals they've scored - neither of those is sustainable.)
As a result of the above, I could definitely see him falling below 60 points. I expected ~50 points before the season started, and wouldn't be at all surprised if he scores near that pace for his final 74 gp. That would give him ~55 points on the season, which is pretty realistic IMO. I'd be very surprised if he broke 70 points.
I've never found him that streaky. His production in the AHL was pretty constant. Once he found his groove in his rookie year, he rarely had an extended period with no points. In 2 seasons he never had more than 2 games played without a point. I'm not saying his current production is sustainable, but I would never call him streaky.
http://theahl.com/player?playerId=5805&season=51&statsType=standard
http://theahl.com/player?playerId=5805&season=48&statsType=standard
VictorLustig
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- Feb 8, 2012
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For as long as I have followed him Nylander has never been a streaky player. I don't expect him to score at this rate for the remainder of the season though, all rookies hit at least one long cold streak.
- Apr 27, 2005
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I'd say that variance is fairly high in a game to game average. I'm not saying he's known for large scoring droughts, but he does seem to have a tendency of putting up big totals over a handful of games. That's not at all a bad thing, but more or less an indication that these last 8 games are not necessarily sustainable.
Sundinisagod
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Willy Stylez
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I don't think there is much variance. There are a bunch of 1 or 2 point game, then the occasional big game (3 or more) or a pointless game. I don't see many low-scoring time than a massive breakout. I don't think his point distribution is particularly clustered, atleast to the extent you could define him as streaky compared to other high producing players.
He had a slow start and breakout games last year in the NHL, but the only NHL quality linemate he got significant time with was probably Parenteau. Early on he played mostly with fellow rookies like Hyman, Kapanen, and Lindberg or scrub vets (Greening and Grabner).
I don't think his current pace is sustainable and he'll have rough patches. But, he's never struck me as someone you could define as streaky.
He's such a great PP player. Very calm with the puck, lethal shot and can thread a pass through all the clutter. I said years ago that I thought Matthews had the talent to be the best PP player in the league one day and man, having him Nylander and Marner on the same PP; Leafs are going to continue to have one of the best power plays in the league for years to come.
Willy Styles
Registered User
Not to mention he was playing centre, which really increases your responbolities.
The thing I'm most impressed of him compared to last year is his willingness to battle players down low. Last year he wouldn't engage players along the board or try to make the soft play. I remember people comparing him to kessel because he'd pull up at the boards and watch the battle downlow. Now he's the first one to that battle and regularly out strengths NHLers.
Willy Styles
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And the kinds of plays he's attempting and pulling off in the NHL oh my. He never even used to attempt that on the AHL, kids got loads of confidence
- Apr 27, 2005
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Maybe it's less streakiness and more timing needed to adjust. For example, he's only scored in 13 games of his 30 game NHL career, yet has 23 points. He had a few big stretches in the AHL last year as well, like 17p in 10gp, 8p in 5gp etc. He just strikes me as a guy who, when playing with confidence, can put up points in bunches - not unlike most great scorers - hence my skepticism with the sustainability his production this season.
- Apr 27, 2005
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I would think playing center would reduce production variance just because you typically get more touches and can get more points from faceoff wins and D zone breakouts. He's made a fantastic transition to wing, but I'm still not so sure he shouldn't be a C. Being able to come with 2 guys like Matthews and Nylander back to back would be tough to matchup against on the road.
Unless we end up drafting high again and getting Patrick, he probably goes back to center soon. I wouldn't be shocked if Bozak is traded at the deadline this year as it frees up a protection spot for us and he may not be in our long-term plans.
Also, Babcock has always moved guys from wing back to center, and from center back to wing as the situation dictated. He clearly values versatility, just look at how he used Zetterberg for year, and the amount of centers he puts on his Canadian teams.
Atomos2
Registered User
Wtf? He's never been a streaky player. In fact, he's one of the most consistent players I have seen. Ever since he was drafted, I've never seen him go pointless for more than 5 games and that was only once as a rookie in the NHL last year.
TheDoldrums
Registered User
He's quickly developing into one of the better PP facilitators in the league. Another point today.
