C William Nylander (2014, 8th, TOR) V [Mod warning in OP]

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

People claim they're sick of Leafs fans bringing up their prospects in other threads? The solution: shove Dylan Larkin down everyone's throats in the Nylander thread. Some of you guys are no better than the Leafs fans you whine so much about.

I was waiting for someone to call me out on it. I was being a bit ironic with my Larkin comments, given the way Leafs fans had done the same in the Larkin thread.

Nylander is a tremendous offensive talent who will be a very good player when he gets to the NHL.

 

[oilsands]

You could write volumes about next-gen superstars and current Allstar players being outperformed in preseason by NHL journeymen and clingers on.

 

[Maplebeasts]

I was waiting for someone to call me out on it. I was being a bit ironic with my Larkin comments, given the way Leafs fans had done the same in the Larkin thread.

Nylander is a tremendous offensive talent who will be a very good player when he gets to the NHL.

No I generally like you as a poster. I just don't like the Larkin hyping in our thread.

 

[Atomos2]

Leafs have scored 16 goals, Nylander has 2 points, thats 12.5%.
Wings have scored 31 goals, Larkin has 4 points, thats 12.9%.

Pretty similar.

Larkin also has played in 5 games, and Nylander in 4

 

[obey86]

No I generally like you as a poster. I just don't like the Larkin hyping in our thread.

I didn't realize this thread belongs exclusively to Toronto fans.

 

[X66]

Neither player is 'out playing' the other. Different teams, different circumstances and different players.

They've both played very well. Nylander could have had a boat load more points if a few bounces went his way, and I'm sure the same can be said for Larkin.

4 pre-season games is nothing lol.

 

[groov2]

So it looks like Nylander got sent down today. I assume he will be back up mid season. I am really pulling for him because he was my hands down favourite prospect at our #6 draft position.

 

[Atomos2]

This will be a fun marlies team to watch with Nylander, Brown, Kapanen, Hyman and Frattin. Will probably take on a similar identity to the Grand Rapids Griffins.

 

[Redwingsfan]

Preseason means nothing

Thats not true at all. For a lot of players, its a period of evaluation. A chance to show the staff what you can do compared the other players on the team and in the system, and see where you're at in your development.

For veteran NHL'ers who have a roster spot locked up, it means very little other than getting your legs going and perhaps learning new systems. Basically getting ready for the new season. For young players and prospects, its a chance to make a good impression and show the team you can play. Roster spots are won and lost during preseason.



As for Nylander. I thought he looked really good with the puck on his stick during ppreseason, as expected. The same problems where he's not very engaged when he doesn't have the puck, or a good chance to get it are still there, however. He'll get there eventually, but another season in the AHL will be good for him. He's probably ready offensively, but his defensive game still needs work.

 

[Atomos2]

Thats not true at all. For a lot of players, its a period of evaluation. A chance to show the staff what you can do compared the other players on the team and in the system, and see where you're at in your development.

For veteran NHL'ers who have a roster spot locked up, it means very little other than getting your legs going and perhaps learning new systems. Basically getting ready for the new season. For young players and prospects, its a chance to make a good impression and show the team you can play. Roster spots are won and lost during preseason.



As for Nylander. I thought he looked really good with the puck on his stick during ppreseason, as expected. The same problems where he's not very engaged when he doesn't have the puck, or a good chance to get it are still there, however. He'll get there eventually, but another season in the AHL will be good for him. He's probably ready offensively, but his defensive game still needs work.

Still, it needs to be taken with a massive grain of salt. One, there coming off a big layoff where they haven't played competitive hockey for months. Two you are playing with and against players from an even more diverse skill level including PTO's and AHL players.

Three and probably the most important point, preseason tests your preparation for an NHL season, not your durability for that season. It tests your at the start but it can't take into account your consistency which I argue is the most important attribute for a hockey player and what separates the stars from the 2nd/3rd line players.

I'd say its better to bring Nylander up midseason because it'd be a better chance to test his consistency.

 

[TheCLAM]

So it looks like Nylander got sent down today. I assume he will be back up mid season. I am really pulling for him because he was my hands down favourite prospect at our #6 draft position.

I think management wants to keep him far away from the main roster. Brown/Nylander were some of the best players at camp out performing seasoned veterans. The Leafs brass wants Nylander to work on his two-way game, face-offs and continue to develop his offensive game. Another year on the farm with Brown, Kapanen should really benefit him. Next year he will make the jump full-time.

Outsider fans may see Nylander being sent down as not good enough. I don't believe this is the case as the Leafs brass continue to dissolve the current core. Another top 10 selection is likely for the Leafs as we look to acquire picks and continue developing our young talent on the Marlies.

 

[TheCLAM]

Thats not true at all. For a lot of players, its a period of evaluation. A chance to show the staff what you can do compared the other players on the team and in the system, and see where you're at in your development.

For veteran NHL'ers who have a roster spot locked up, it means very little other than getting your legs going and perhaps learning new systems. Basically getting ready for the new season. For young players and prospects, its a chance to make a good impression and show the team you can play. Roster spots are won and lost during preseason.



As for Nylander. I thought he looked really good with the puck on his stick during ppreseason, as expected. The same problems where he's not very engaged when he doesn't have the puck, or a good chance to get it are still there, however. He'll get there eventually, but another season in the AHL will be good for him. He's probably ready offensively, but his defensive game still needs work.

Defensive game continues to need work, however, I think he's quite good for his player at defense. He has an active stick snd an uncanny ability to steal pucks. Nylander being sent down is to continue development and to learn the centre position further at the pro level. He's far from a lazy defensive player

 

[MatthewFlames]

Outsider fans may see Nylander being sent down as not good enough. .

It's the right decision for the player and for the team. While opposition fans may gloat that he didn't make the team, in the long run it is 100% the right thing to do.

 

[groov2]

I think management wants to keep him far away from the main roster. Brown/Nylander were some of the best players at camp out performing seasoned veterans. The Leafs brass wants Nylander to work on his two-way game, face-offs and continue to develop his offensive game. Another year on the farm with Brown, Kapanen should really benefit him. Next year he will make the jump full-time.

Outsider fans may see Nylander being sent down as not good enough. I don't believe this is the case as the Leafs brass continue to dissolve the current core. Another top 10 selection is likely for the Leafs as we look to acquire picks and continue developing our young talent on the Marlies.

This sounds very similar to what our fans think management will do with the Canucks, but we'll see. I would suspect that they are sending them down for the exact reasons you mentioned. Stick with the big club on a lousy team, or develop further so that when he comes back up, he can have a greater impact.

He's a great player.

 

[TheCLAM]

This sounds very similar to what our fans think management will do with the Canucks, but we'll see. I would suspect that they are sending them down for the exact reasons you mentioned. Stick with the big club on a lousy team, or develop further so that when he comes back up, he can have a greater impact.

He's a great player.

Yeah it's very similar philosophies. The Leafs in general are easy targets on HF, Nylander is one of the bright-spots as we move into the dark years.

Hopefully McCann get's sent down on that front. I don't agree necessarily with him being put in a lesser role vs. top-line playing minutes with SSM

 

[Anchor Town*]

This will be a fun marlies team to watch with Nylander, Brown, Kapanen, Hyman and Frattin. Will probably take on a similar identity to the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Doubtful. And I wouldn't expect much from Hyman unless you have a center carrying him

 

[Redwingsfan]

Still, it needs to be taken with a massive grain of salt. One, there coming off a big layoff where they haven't played competitive hockey for months. Two you are playing with and against players from an even more diverse skill level including PTO's and AHL players.

Three and probably the most important point, preseason tests your preparation for an NHL season, not your durability for that season. It tests your at the start but it can't take into account your consistency which I argue is the most important attribute for a hockey player and what separates the stars from the 2nd/3rd line players.

I'd say its better to bring Nylander up midseason because it'd be a better chance to test his consistency.

Yeah, I think this is spot on. The importance of preseason really depends on your situation. For some, it can be the difference between ever getting a chance in a regular season game or not. Prospects that have something to prove really needs to make the most of the chances they get during preseason. A positive impression and you may just get the call when someone gets injured.

This is kinda of topic though. My point is that preseason doesn't always mean nothing.

For a guy like Nylander though, I dont think it means a whole lot. He's very highly regarded by his organization and will get his chance.

Defensive game continues to need work, however, I think he's quite good for his player at defense. He has an active stick snd an uncanny ability to steal pucks. Nylander being sent down is to continue development and to learn the centre position further at the pro level. He's far from a lazy defensive player

I noticed his quick stick in the preseason games. He's really sneaky and can really come at you from nowhere and steal the puck.

I dont think he's lazy defensively either, I just think he lacks intensity at times. It will come though. He's 19. There's nothing wrong with not being ready at every aspect at that age. The leafs drafted him for what they think he can do for the next 20 years, not for the unfinished product he is at 19. They'll continue to work on his weaknesses, and I'm sure he'll be a very good player in the end.

 

[Nithoniniel]

I didn't realize this thread belongs exclusively to Toronto fans.

This is Out House.

 

[Atomos2]

Doubtful. And I wouldn't expect much from Hyman unless you have a center carrying him

Nylander, Brown and Frattin were all major stars for the marlies last year. Adding in Kapanen, bringing back Froese and Brennan gives us more than enough offensive firepower to consider us a serious threat for at least a playoff spot.

Of course, that depends if Frattin, Brennan and others pass through waivers

 

[Anchor Town*]

Nylander, Brown and Frattin were all major stars for the marlies last year. Adding in Kapanen, bringing back Froese and Brennan gives us more than enough offensive firepower to consider us a serious threat for at least a playoff spot.

Of course, that depends if Frattin, Brennan and others pass through waivers

Will be interesting to see if Nylander can get above a PPG.

Will be quite the jump from .83 to >1.00

 

[Nithoniniel]

Will be interesting to see if Nylander can get above a PPG.

Will be quite the jump from .83 to >1.00

He had a transition period in his first games where he didn't score much. After that he was above PPG actually.

Personally, I've never been a fan of cutting out part of the sample size for almost any reason. Let's just say that he's shown signs of being ability to produce above PPG already last season.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

Wow! Surprised he was sent down. A lot of Leaf fans were saying he should have been in the NHL last year. Looks like management thinks he still has some things to work on with his defensive play. The good news is that he can still can a callup if he does well with the Marlies.

 

[The Podium]

Wow! Surprised he was sent down. A lot of Leaf fans were saying he should have been in the NHL last year. Looks like management thinks he still has some things to work on with his defensive play. The good news is that he can still can a callup if he does well with the Marlies.

He's obviously ready, management even came out to say that Nylander and Connor Brown were the best players throughout preseason. Its just no point in burning an ELC year and exposing these players to the gongshow thats about to ensue when they can round out the little deficiencies they have left and potentially win it all in the AHL.

 

[snizzbone*]

Doubtful. And I wouldn't expect much from Hyman unless you have a center carrying him

I mean the Marles lineup is pretty stacked this year. I'd definitely expect them to be one of the best teams.

Also Babcock was giving praise to Hyman all preseason, citing his 'heavy' style of play that he wants the entire team to have. Mentioned that he wanted to get him on Detroit last year as well as he saw tons of him when viewing Larkin.

 

[Menzinger]

Likely would have made the team under a different management regime.

The current group is taking an incredibly conservative stance on prospect development - which I'm perfectly okay with.