Nylander and Marner, Rielly making moves and teeing up Stamkos is going to be awesome to see
C William Nylander (2014, 8th, TOR) IX
- Thread starter King Mapes
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Nylander and Marner, Rielly making moves and teeing up Stamkos is going to be awesome to see
What would happen if toronto signs stamkos and gets Matthews, would they made some big trade then? Toronto could use another top D.
Possibly. So much could happen, let's not forget about Vesey as well. They have Zaitsev coming over next year as well and he's been by far the best D-man in the KHL playoffs. Adding him and possibly Stamkos, Matthews to go along with the rest of the young kids it makes for a dynamic future.
And before people start going off on me...I'm not saying we're definitely getting them just going off all the speculation and possibilities.
If the leafs are lucky enough to get first overall I hope they don't sign stamkos. I think they could make just as good of a team developing matthews and nylander one and two. They could probably get seven years out of those two guys at less then what they would have to pay stamkos. Focus building the team around drafting and developing their own talent. They need to struggle for a couple more years to keep adding to their talent base.
so you think they're just going to stop focusing on drafting and developing if we sign Stamkos?
This is what I don't get...why can't we build this team up a bit and still be able to keep our picks and draft well? like you make it sound it's either/or.
You realize that we're going to have to make some moves just for the mere fact that there just isn't enough roster room for all our draft picks. Some of them will be moved to help and improve this club.
I really think people are taking this rebuild/tank too far. Babcock said we're not going to be this bad 2 years from now. Hunter has said 5 years is the plan to start contending.
I think you missed the first part. He said we should develop Matthews and Nylander as our 1-2 punch. If we sign Stamkos then one of those two would need switch to wing. I don't necessarily disagree with him. Matthews-Nylander down the middle should be good enough for any team. Use the money that would go towards Stammer on D.
haulinbass
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You have to think that Babcock will help him along on the defensive side of things, especially if he's playing center.
Nithoniniel
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Bernier the Boats
Formerly BBurke
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I think this guy means in the entire NHL (like one of the 6 best offensive players in the league). Whereas Matthews could have a shot at being one of the top 6 players in the league.
Nobody would say that Matthews "may have a shot" at being a top 6 player.
Sundinisagod
****
HarrisonFord
President of the Drew Doughty Fan Club
The overly cautious meets the naive optimistic.
I still think a #1C is possible for Will. Apparently he's been playing with mono this playoffs
Nithoniniel
Registered User
Oh I do too. The part that I considered naive was that it would be "pretty clear" that he's an elite center in the making. I'd reserve that to McDavid, but normal mortal prospects are never sure things to be elite anything.
Everything about his game screams center to me however I would love to see him play the halfwall on the PP with Karlsson on the point.
HarrisonFord
President of the Drew Doughty Fan Club
That's fair. I think its more that he's trending in that direction, but he's still got a ways to go
TMLife*
Auston Matthews
Nothing he's done this year or last would indicate that Willie is going to be anything but a first line player in the future.
What he accomplished last year was record breaking, and what he did this year as a 19 year old was extremely impressive. Keep it up Willie, you're on the right track
What he accomplished last year was record breaking, and what he did this year as a 19 year old was extremely impressive. Keep it up Willie, you're on the right track
haulinbass
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Well to be a legit top 6 player Matthews has to take out guys like Crosby, Malkin, Benn, McDavid, Ovie, etc. A guy like Eichel could also make a case to break into the top 6.
That is going to be very tough and unlikely for him to achieve. Doesn't mean he won't have any issues landing somewhere just outside of that. But to break into the tier of the best handful of players in the world, it's unlikely.
Of course it will get better. Still doesn't mean he is going to become a Selke candidate. I'm not saying he couldn't. But again, tempered expectations. It would be a miracle for all 3 of Matthews, Nylander and Marner to become top 10 players in the NHL. Some Toronto fans act like that these players are a lock to all be that great and its ridiculous. The expectations from the three should be set at getting three good top six players and one elite 1C. That would be a win for Toronto. All three of these players have a long way to go to accomplish that. A lot of players tear up juniors, AHL, and even go as far as showing tons of skill in the NHL. But for some reason or another some players who clearly showed a ton of skill in the NHL can never quite become a PPG elite player.
I mean look as close as the recent past to the Toronto roster. Kadri, a 7th overall, who instantly scored at a PPG rate at the AHL. Kid is currently a really good hockey player. I like him and was rooting for Toronto to lock him up long-term (they did). To this day he shows flashes of high end talent. But he has never been able to bust over that hump. This happens a lot. I'm not going to get into the debate of the current prospects being higher caliber than Kadri. But a lot more was expected from Kadri and the point is. any of these prospects could meet a similar fate.
I play in a competitive dynasty league and have Nylander as well as traded for the 1st overall to get Matthews. I even have Kadri for SOG, hits and solid points. I love Nylander and Matthews as players and really need them to pan out. My point is that some fans around here just need to temper their expectations a little bit. That's all.
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On Nylander sure, but I disagree on Matthews. He's talked about as a eichel type prospect, and almost all the scouts agree. Hard to put out that fire
haulinbass
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Not going to disagree there. Judging each of these players at the time of their draft I think Matthews is a slightly better prospect than Eichel.
Eichel had a very good rookie season. But I expect Matthews game to translate just as well if not better. I could realistically see Matthews breaking 60 this year. I would be shocked if he didn't hit 50 (giving he has no injuries). I love Matthews game. He is going to open up a ton of space for Nylander/Marner.
But as I said, the top 5 players in the NHL are very good and it is going to be extremely difficult for Eichel or Matthews to break into that handful of exceptional players. No doubt if they can't break into the top 5 they fall just outside of that. I brought up the entire even Matthews may never break the true top 5 in the NHL merely to prove how unlikely it will be for Nylander to hit that status.
No one expects those three guys to all become top 10 players in the league. Matthews imo has the best chance. I think most rational leaf fans dont expect Nylander to be an elite #1 Center. He may have the potential, but right now Id expect him to be a top 6 Center. Im pretty high on Marner though and honestly expect him to be a PPG player in his prime. What he's doing now is pretty incredible.
Stephen
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Using your "all around" criteria cited earlier, Ovi probably wouldn't be considered a great all around player, and by the time Matthews really gets going Malkin and Crosby likely will not be in the conversation either. In any case, Matthews pedigree suggests he has as good a shot of being elite as anyone else in his age group.
