C William Nylander (2014, 8th, TOR) VI

[The Beyonder]

People need to stop with this supposed Detroit phenomena. The reason the Wings left their players in the AHL so long is because every year they were always drafting later and got project guys. Remember, the Wings were competitive from late 90's all the way until 2010 before having a drop off. They've always been up there in the standings. So the guys they drafted had notable deficiencies that needed developing. Larkin is the perfect example of how someone who has NHL ready talent is immediately on their team.

Detriot phenomena or no, leafs are taking the longterm approach with Nylander. In training camp, he was definitely one of their top 3 forwards. He's more talented than the majority of the leafs squad and outplayed them for a spot, imo. This is a term the leafs brass have used, but they've said they would prefer if their prospect were "overripe".

It's hard to say how Larkin would be treated in Toronto, it's a whole different team; but I personally think it would be the same way. There are no Zetterbergs or Datsyuks to be mentored under, there is no winning/veteran atmosphere to shield when things get tough, this leafs team is dreadful and a fodder for opposing teams to feast on. It's not the situation that you would want a 19 year old to develop under as opposed to leading a top AHL team.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

It certainly is when its being broadcasted nation wide on hockey night in Canada. And it had been repeated over and over again by management last year if others would be bothered to look it up.

As for Larkin and Ehlers, they have threads of their own people can fawn over. People can pimp their names out there. Redrafts means dick all right now when the Leafs are taking this approach with Nylander so bringing up prospects on playoff calibre teams also means dick all. He's in the AHL so right now it'd make sense to compare him to AHL players and if you haven't figured it out already, it puts him right at the top of the list in that department given his age.

I apologize for responding to the poster in context.
What I really meant to post was this.
He is a sensational AHL player and at such a young age.

 

[Apotheosis]

Detriot phenomena or no, leafs are taking the longterm approach with Nylander. In training camp, he was definitely one of their top 3 forwards. He's more talented than the majority of the leafs squad and outplayed them for a spot, imo. This is a term the leafs brass have used, but they've said they would prefer if their prospect were "overripe".

It's hard to say how Larkin would be treated in Toronto, it's a whole different team; but I personally think it would be the same way. There are no Zetterbergs or Datsyuks to be mentored under, there is no winning/veteran atmosphere to shield when things get tough, this leafs team is dreadful and a fodder for opposing teams to feast on. It's not the situation that you would want a 19 year old to develop under as opposed to leading a top AHL team.

I know that. That wasn't my point. Nylander has NHL ready offence talent but they want him to be a 2 way player, so they sent him down to play in the AHL as a Centre to learn how to play centre and learn defensive duties. There's no way he's down there again next season. 14 points in 12 games and Brown is injured so his main winger isn't even there to help him score. And the Leafs didn't want one of their top prospects on the gongshow that is the beginning of this rebuild.

 

[Nithoniniel]

The difference between an Auston Matthews and a William Nylander is that Matthews gains nothing by going to the AHL. Nylander might be NHL ready, but he does some stuff he can learn by being down with the Marlies.

Yeah. For how good Nylander is, he still has weak sides. Using NHL as a carrot to get him to work as hard as possible to eliminate these is not a bad idea.

The point is to make him as good as possible in the most efficient way possible. It feels like people sometimes gets away from this when discussing prospects.

People need to stop with this supposed Detroit phenomena. The reason the Wings left their players in the AHL so long is because every year they were always drafting later and got project guys. Remember, the Wings were competitive from late 90's all the way until 2010 before having a drop off. They've always been up there in the standings. So the guys they drafted had notable deficiencies that needed developing. Larkin is the perfect example of how someone who has NHL ready talent is immediately on their team.

Nyquist was ready in a similar fashion to Nylander for a long time before Detroit gave him a spot on the team. It's not a black and white matter, of course the project-type of prospects that Detroit picked will lead to longer development times, but that doesn't mean that Detroit at the same time wanted to develop as well-rounded players as possible, instead of just sending them up when they were ready to contribute in any way.

Larkin as an exception just says a lot about him, to be honest. I don't see anything with him that makes me think "this part of his game could have used some more development time".

 

[Brock Radunske]

*Looks at Nylander's stat-line*

Wow, this kid looks like he's going to be something special

*Looks at his jersey*

He has a lot of warts. Likely bust.

------------------------------------

HFboards in a nutshell.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

*Looks at Nylander's stat-line*

Wow, this kid looks like he's going to be something special

*Looks at his jersey*

He has a lot of warts. Likely bust.

------------------------------------

HFboards in a nutshell.

I think certain posters give him a harder ride than he deserves, I think part of that is not because of his team but because of how defensive a handful of Leaf fans who post here get. To that point, every time I check this thread there seems to be at least one post just like yours on each page. It's gotten to the point where this thread is basically worthless for any legitimate information on Nylander.

 

[Neutral Hockey Fan]

Nylander is being left off the leafs simply to avoid a losing atmosphere. He also has no one who could play with him. Next year, the leafs will have Nylander, Marner, maybe Matthews, Stamkos, and with Babcock coaching, it could be a contending type year for the leafs

 

[WetcoastOrca]

Nylander is being left off the leafs simply to avoid a losing atmosphere. He also has no one who could play with him. Next year, the leafs will have Nylander, Marner, maybe Matthews, Stamkos, and with Babcock coaching, it could be a contending type year for the leafs

Stamkos?
Contending next year?

Neither is very likely. I think Toronto is looking at least at another three years before it gets back to respectability never mind contending.

 

[Brock Radunske]

Stamkos?
Contending next year?

Neither is very likely. I think Toronto is looking at least at another three years before it gets back to respectability never mind contending.

I agree with this.
I expect them to make the playoffs in three years time, but not contend at that point.

 

[The Podium]

Stamkos?
Contending next year?

Neither is very likely. I think Toronto is looking at least at another three years before it gets back to respectability never mind contending.

Its a slim chance but it is possible. If all the stars align, and Toronto ends up with Matthews, Rielly keeps his pace this year and they sign Stamkos as a UFA and Matthews, Nylander and Marner all have Calder worthy seasons then they would be a great team. But like I said, slim chance and all the stars would have to align for it to even be possible.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Stamkos?
Contending next year?

Neither is very likely. I think Toronto is looking at least at another three years before it gets back to respectability never mind contending.

Pretty much, 2-3 years is a good time line. Depends on trades, prospects, signings etc. Some prospects may over achieve, some may under achieve. We might sign a good UFA, we might rob a team in a trade...

But really I think most people should expect a 2-3 year time line.

I think Nylander will be on the roster next season...this season he's likely going to be staying in the AHL away from our tire fire of a roster.

 

[Holymakinaw]

I think Nylander will be on the roster next season...this season he's likely going to be staying in the AHL away from our tire fire of a roster.

There is a remote, but very real chance that Matthews, Nylander, Marner could all be on the Leaf roster next season.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

Pretty much, 2-3 years is a good time line. Depends on trades, prospects, signings etc. Some prospects may over achieve, some may under achieve. We might sign a good UFA, we might rob a team in a trade...

But really I think most people should expect a 2-3 year time line.

I think Nylander will be on the roster next season...this season he's likely going to be staying in the AHL away from our tire fire of a roster.

Agreed. I think people are expecting too much if they are expecting Nylander and Marner to come in and make the team an instant contender. When you look, for example, at Calgary last year that team also had high end vets like Hudler, Giordano and T.J. Brodie (maybe not a vet but played like one) and Gaudreau was a rookie older than most other rookies. These guys helped ease the transition for Monahan and at the end of the season Bennett. Even then Calgary was a playoff bubble team most of the year and has regressed somewhat this year.

 

[finnbalor*]

Given how much Nylander's stock has risen since his draft year (call me a homer but like him more than everyone drafted ahead of him except Ekblad, honorable mention to Ehlers) would love to see the Leafs get Alexander Nylander, Swedish brothers have pedigree in this league.

If the Leafs could trade up with Pittsburgh pick and walk away with a top five pick + another Nylander?

 

[WTFMAN99]

Agreed. I think people are expecting too much if they are expecting Nylander and Marner to come in and make the team an instant contender. When you look, for example, at Calgary last year that team also had high end vets like Hudler, Giordano and T.J. Brodie (maybe not a vet but played like one) and Gaudreau was a rookie older than most other rookies. These guys helped ease the transition for Monahan and at the end of the season Bennett. Even then Calgary was a playoff bubble team most of the year and has regressed somewhat this year.

Calgary was also a statistical anomoly, and has regressed this season.

My expectation for Nylander is that he becomes a really good 2nd line centre. If he exceeds that, I am a pretty happy guy.

I am not sure how it is going to work out with Marner. If the Leafs had the good fortune of drafting Matthews (as an example) we're likely talking about inserting Nylander and Mattews next year. We also have Leivo, Kapanen, Brown etc etc. How do we insert all these kids into the line up? It's tough.

 

[Orfieus]

I agree with this.
I expect them to make the playoffs in three years time, but not contend at that point.

I think we're they draft next year will determine we're Toronto is in 3yrs. If we can draft #1 or #2 then I think it will speed up the rebuild process.

 

[Nugey McNugeson]

I like that the leafs are being patient with him. He's gonna be great for them when they bring him up

 

[Apotheosis]

I still think it's another 2 years of "tanking" before we start contending. Nylander and Marner are likely on the team next season but besides Rielly, the defence is in shambles and goaltending is still a problem. We still need to draft another defence man to pair with Rielly and a number 1/2 C to go with Nylander assuming he becomes a 1 or 2 C. And we need to stock up on potential goalies. So even with Stamkos and Nylander-Marner, we're still going to lose, just we might score more than we do now. Although, if we get Stamkos, we don't need to draft another C. Nylander-Stamkos as a 1-2 C punch.

 

[Stephen]

I can't agree with that. There are at least four 2016 eligibles I'd take over Nylander without hesitation. If you meant drafted players it is still a very questionable claim. He's not the best Leafs prospect not in the NHL imo.

Would you take draft eligible Alexander Nylander over William too? I hear he's destroying the OHL at a similar pace to some of those 2016 prospects...

 

[KGL]

I still think it's another 2 years of "tanking" before we start contending. Nylander and Marner are likely on the team next season but besides Rielly, the defence is in shambles and goaltending is still a problem. We still need to draft another defence man to pair with Rielly and a number 1/2 C to go with Nylander assuming he becomes a 1 or 2 C. And we need to stock up on potential goalies. So even with Stamkos and Nylander-Marner, we're still going to lose, just we might score more than we do now. Although, if we get Stamkos, we don't need to draft another C. Nylander-Stamkos as a 1-2 C punch.

I predict that we could end up as a bubble team as soon as next year. Fighting for a wildcard spot isn't out of the question next year. Leafs have done a lot of things right this season but are missing a lot as well. The things we are missing are mostly caused by lack of high end skill and scoring. Adding Marner, Nylander, Brown, and others (Potentially Stamkos and/or Matthews) will do wonders for the Leafs PP and scoring in general. Maybe I'm being too optimistic but I don't think it's unreasonable to think they could be fighting for a wildcard spot next year.

 

[Apotheosis]

I predict that we could end up as a bubble team as soon as next year. Fighting for a wildcard spot isn't out of the question next year. Leafs have done a lot of things right this season but are missing a lot as well. The things we are missing are mostly caused by lack of high end skill and scoring. Adding Marner, Nylander, Brown, and others (Potentially Stamkos and/or Matthews) will do wonders for the Leafs PP and scoring in general. Maybe I'm being too optimistic but I don't think it's unreasonable to think they could be fighting for a wildcard spot next year.

Agreed, but that still doesn't fix our horrid defence. It's going to be a long rebuild. Shanny and Babcock are here for the long haul. I think it would be a colossal failure if we're already going to be a bubble team in year 2 of a rebuild.

 

[KGL]

Agreed, but that still doesn't fix our horrid defence. It's going to be a long rebuild. Shanny and Babcock are here for the long haul. I think it would be a colossal failure if we're already going to be a bubble team in year 2 of a rebuild.

I don't think our defence is that bad. I think forwards are more of a pressing issue.

We have Gardiner, Phaneuf and Rielly, who are all legit top-4 guys. We need another top 4 guy though, that's for sure. Drafting Chychrun would fill that hole hopefully. Bottom pairing we have an abundance of guys like Harrington, Hunwick and Percy who could play there. 5-on-5 scoring we're not in a bad spot for goals against. PK is an issue, that will need work, although it has looked better the last few games. Babs has done a good job with our defence. Solid scoring coming from the blueline and like I said already, solid possession as well.

So yeah, our defence needs help, but I wouldn't say it's 'horrid' and I would say our offence needs more help and our goaltending needs to step up. Our biggest issues this season have been lack of forward scoring, bad special teams and bad goaltending.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

I still think it's another 2 years of "tanking" before we start contending. Nylander and Marner are likely on the team next season but besides Rielly, the defence is in shambles and goaltending is still a problem. We still need to draft another defence man to pair with Rielly and a number 1/2 C to go with Nylander assuming he becomes a 1 or 2 C. And we need to stock up on potential goalies. So even with Stamkos and Nylander-Marner, we're still going to lose, just we might score more than we do now. Although, if we get Stamkos, we don't need to draft another C. Nylander-Stamkos as a 1-2 C punch.

I guess I've missed some news.
Leaf fans think they're getting Stamkos?
Seems like a pipe dream TBH.

 

[Apotheosis]

I don't think our defence is that bad. I think forwards are more of a pressing issue.

We have Gardiner, Phaneuf and Rielly, who are all legit top-4 guys. We need another top 4 guy though, that's for sure. Drafting Chychrun would fill that hole hopefully. Bottom pairing we have an abundance of guys like Harrington, Hunwick and Percy who could play there. 5-on-5 scoring we're not in a bad spot for goals against. PK is an issue, that will need work, although it has looked better the last few games. Babs has done a good job with our defence. Solid scoring coming from the blueline and like I said already, solid possession as well.

So yeah, our defence needs help, but I wouldn't say it's 'horrid' and I would say our offence needs more help and our goaltending needs to step up. Our biggest issues this season have been lack of forward scoring, bad special teams and bad goaltending.

So something like...

Marner-Stamkos-?
?-Nylander-Brown

Question marks because I have no idea who would be worth it there. I do like Bracco on Nylander's wing though. I personally want Gauthier centring Kapanen and Leipsic on the third line.

 

[KGL]

I guess I've missed some news.
Leaf fans think they're getting Stamkos?
Seems like a pipe dream TBH.

You haven't missed any news. You have, however, missed a key word, which has been bolded for you.

I still think it's another 2 years of "tanking" before we start contending. Nylander and Marner are likely on the team next season but besides Rielly, the defence is in shambles and goaltending is still a problem. We still need to draft another defence man to pair with Rielly and a number 1/2 C to go with Nylander assuming he becomes a 1 or 2 C. And we need to stock up on potential goalies. So even with Stamkos and Nylander-Marner, we're still going to lose, just we might score more than we do now. Although, if we get Stamkos, we don't need to draft another C. Nylander-Stamkos as a 1-2 C punch.