How long do you except the Nylander at center experiment to last?

[Maple Leaf]

It's over

 

[Nylanderthal]

It would be bad roster management to have your 11 million dollar centre as your #3. The third line centre is perfect for Domi.

Unless they plan on running 3 scoring lines where the JT and Willy lines play equalish minutes depending on who’s cooking and match ups.
Pitts won a cup with $7m Kessel on a 75m cap. Surely Toronto can do similar with $6.9 Willy and a 83.5 cap

 

[notDatsyuk]

It's over because they are giving Minten a little time at centre before he gets sent down?

 

[thusk]

Unless they plan on running 3 scoring lines where the JT and Willy lines play equalish minutes depending on who’s cooking and match ups.
Pitts won a cup with $7m Kessel on a 75m cap. Surely Toronto can do similar with $6.9 Willy and a 83.5 cap

It would be bad roster management to have your 11 million dollar centre as your #3. The third line centre is perfect for Domi.

And chicago with sharp at 5,9M in 60M salary cap

It will not be line 1, 2, 3... only fans seeing it that way

It will be 1A, 1B, 1C... thats the way coach see it

When they will need a goal or something happening, they will cut their bench and dont see player like jarnkrok, lafferty anymore like chicago did with their core toews/kane / hossa/ sharp ...
Line are not static during game, coach can ajust their line up vonsiderating whats happening during the game

 

[thusk]

I think you're looking at it backwards.

It's not so much bad management playing someone who's paid $11M at 3C, as it is bad management paying $11M to someone who should be playing 3C.

For hockey, the amount paid is less important than the ability. If he's best suited to 3C, play him at 3C.

Separate from the actual game is the budget. Even playing at 1C the first year, he was expected to be at best the 2C for the rest of his contract, and not likely to be more than 3C the last couple. There's no way he should have been given that much for that long, and especially not with a full NMC. That was an absolutely terrible signing by Dubas.

Tavares still a pts/game player like hes always been his entire carreer... do you know a lot of 3rd C producing ppg

Yes tavares is overpay maybe of 2M. I just dont understand all the hate against him

I really like to see knies playing with JT because they playing the same way. I can tell the same about Nylander with Domi

Create 3 duo
Matthews-Marner
Domi-Nylander
Tavares- Knies

With player to complete with Bettuzzi, jarnkrok and lafferty... i really like this new way and thats why i think leafs will be better this season

 

[danny90]

The team is better with him at Center so hopefully he never goes back

 

[Menzinger]

Noting, he’s practising at the RW position today. I’m not sure if that’s a sign.

Keefe was quoted today saying it's just temporary because of Minten getting a taste before heading back to junior and they'll shift Nylander back to C afterwards

 

[Fogelhund]

Keefe was quoted today saying it's just temporary because of Minten getting a taste before heading back to junior and they'll shift Nylander back to C afterwards

Indeed, I had posted that elsewhere, including the full media availability and interview.

""

Full interview is here.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Supposedly Nylander was with Tavares and Domi in practice today, which MIGHT mean the experiment at center is dead, if so that's a good thing, and wouldn't be totally surprising seeing as he was the worst faceoff man in the last game at 25%, faceoff aren't everything but you also can't be 25% in the faceoff circle and be a center.

Nylander is, and always has been most effective on the wing.

You have NO holes in your top 6 for the first time since about 2004 stop creating holes.

 

[notDatsyuk]

Tavares still a pts/game player like hes always been his entire carreer... do you know a lot of 3rd C producing ppg

Yes tavares is overpay maybe of 2M. I just dont understand all the hate against him

I really like to see knies playing with JT because they playing the same way. I can tell the same about Nylander with Domi

Create 3 duo
Matthews-Marner
Domi-Nylander
Tavares- Knies

With player to complete with Bettuzzi, jarnkrok and lafferty... i really like this new way and thats why i think leafs will be better this season

I don't understand this blind adulation that let's you ignore facts.

Tavares has never been a ppg player over his career, although he has hit that mark over a season a few times.

Last year was the first time in four years he hit that mark, and only because he recorded half his points (39 of 80) on the PP, which really has nothing to do with whether he plays 2C or 3C at even strength.

Willy led the team in both goals and points at even strength.

It's not so much that he's overpaid (probably 4-5) but that we really didn't need him in the first place, and getting him messed up the team. (I don't blame him for that.)

I think Bertuzzi is petty much set for the top line with Matty and Mitch, so it's just a matter of which right winger fits best on the other two lines.

 

[kb]

Supposedly Nylander was with Tavares and Domi in practice today, which MIGHT mean the experiment at center is dead, if so that's a good thing, and wouldn't be totally surprising seeing as he was the worst faceoff man in the last game at 25%, faceoff aren't everything but you also can't be 25% in the faceoff circle and be a center.

Nylander is, and always has been most effective on the wing.

You have NO holes in your top 6 for the first time since about 2004 stop creating holes.

They are playing Minten today, so it's a temp thing.

 

[Maple Leaf]

I don't understand this blind adulation that let's you ignore facts.

Tavares has never been a ppg player over his career, although he has hit that mark over a season a few times.

Last year was the first time in four years he hit that mark, and only because he recorded half his points (39 of 80) on the PP, which really has nothing to do with whether he plays 2C or 3C at even strength.

Willy led the team in both goals and points at even strength.

It's not so much that he's overpaid (probably 4-5) but that we really didn't need him in the first place, and getting him messed up the team. (I don't blame him for that.)

I think Bertuzzi is petty much set for the top line with Matty and Mitch, so it's just a matter of which right winger fits best on the other two lines.

Leafs would be better with Stanley Cup Champion Nazem Kadri

 

[notDatsyuk]

Supposedly Nylander was with Tavares and Domi in practice today, which MIGHT mean the experiment at center is dead, if so that's a good thing, and wouldn't be totally surprising seeing as he was the worst faceoff man in the last game at 25%, faceoff aren't everything but you also can't be 25% in the faceoff circle and be a center.

Nylander is, and always has been most effective on the wing.

You have NO holes in your top 6 for the first time since about 2004 stop creating holes.

Didn't he lose fewer faceoffs than JT in that game?

Yes, he was 1 for 4. Bfd. The coach seems to have a better feel for it. (Oops - did I just compliment Keefe?)

But seriously, if losing 3 faceoffs to experienced NHL centres is your only complaint....

But I agree - with Willy at 2C we finally have a top six with no holes. Let's not mess with it.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Didn't he lose fewer faceoffs than JT in that game?

Yes, he was 1 for 4. Bfd. The coach seems to have a better feel for it. (Oops - did I just compliment Keefe?)

But seriously, if losing 3 faceoffs to experienced NHL centres is your only complaint....

But I agree - with Willy at 2C we finally have a top six with no holes. Let's not mess with it.

Tavares was 70.6% he's a center Nylander isn't and hasn't been since his AHL days.

You just hate JT despite him being a PPG player.

They are playing Minten today, so it's a temp thing.

I'm not sure it is, I'm not sure Minten hasn't taken a spot away from somebody

 

[notDatsyuk]

Tavares was 70.6% he's a center Nylander isn't and hasn't been since his AHL days.

You just hate JT despite him being a PPG player.

You missed my point, but that's ok.

No I don't hate JT, although I am not a fan of his contract, but that's on Dubas.

But I must say I'm annoyed by this constant refrain of "he's ppg!", despite how misleading it is.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

You missed my point, but that's ok.

No I don't hate JT, although I am not a fan of his contract, but that's on Dubas.

But I must say I'm annoyed by this constant refrain of "he's ppg!", despite how misleading it is.

It's not misleading it's literally a fact.

You are annoyed by facts.

80 points in 80 games is a ppg, regardless of what narrative you want to spin

 

[Kazparov]

Every year Nylander goes off to play for Sweden he plays center. He has always been a center. The reason his defensive game is so bad on the Wong is because he legitimately doesn't know what to do defensively as a winger. He's always put of position because his natural center instincts force him into positions where the center should be.

Uhm do his natural center instincts cause he to miss the guy skating past him right to the net?

 

[notDatsyuk]

It's not misleading it's literally a fact.

You are annoyed by facts.

80 points in 80 games is a ppg, regardless of what narrative you want to spin

No, I'm annoyed by people who use that as an argument for him being a 2C rather than a 3C.

Technically he was this year, for the first time in four seasons. But virtually half his points (39 of 80) were on the PP, which has nothing to do with whether he plays 2C or 3C.

In Willy's first two games at centre he was 12 for 26, for a 46.2% success rate.

In JT's first two games at centre he was 16 for 37, for a 43.2% success rate.

Ain't small sample sizes a b***h?

 

[Bellefour20]

It's over

 

[therealkoho]

17.25 games

I'll see it and raise you -8.5

 

[therealkoho]

Doesn't the Center always jump first regardless of who comes off?

It's usually how it's done

Why? That's on the players 99% of the time.

Gardiner was a master at helping to create "too many men" infractions

Only if it's different than the obvious substitution. So, as you said it would be on the player. Also remember it's often the changing player's fault for abandoning the substitution at the last moment or touching the puck after his sub is already on the ice.

Long ago and far away starting when changes on the fly became a thing at an advanced level we were taught to follow our centre. It's one of the reasons you're supposed to sit with your linemates. Templeton would usually tap the centre and say be ready and then make the call for the centre on the ice to get to the bench when able.

 

[thusk]

I don't understand this blind adulation that let's you ignore facts.

Tavares has never been a ppg player over his career, although he has hit that mark over a season a few times.

Last year was the first time in four years he hit that mark, and only because he recorded half his points (39 of 80) on the PP, which really has nothing to do with whether he plays 2C or 3C at even strength.

Willy led the team in both goals and points at even strength.

It's not so much that he's overpaid (probably 4-5) but that we really didn't need him in the first place, and getting him messed up the team. (I don't blame him for that.)

I think Bertuzzi is petty much set for the top line with Matty and Mitch, so it's just a matter of which right winger fits best on the other two lines.

In carreer tavares was producing at a rate of 0,95 pts/ game and 0,98 since hes in toronto... pretty similar to ppg player ... l know you hate him but stay in reality

Yes nylander in regular season was pretty good at even strenght, in playoff 5v5 for nylander was an other story...and thats where leafs to be better, they dont need to be better in regular season

Betuzzi is initial plan, doesn't mean it will work and be what it look like come playoff.

Nylander strenght is creating scoring chance off the rush with speed. Thats why domi is a good fit because they can play that way together

Jt strenght is by cycling the puck, rushing the net, battling in front of the net, winning 1vs 1 battle. Thats also why knies is a good fit.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

They are playing Minten today, so it's a temp thing.

Even if it's not Minten, it could be Holmberg in that spot.

 

[ACC1224]

Even if it's not Minten, it could be Holmberg in that spot.

Very much so.

 

[notDatsyuk]

In carreer tavares was producing at a rate of 0,95 pts/ game and 0,98 since hes in toronto... pretty similar to ppg player ... l know you hate him but stay in reality

Yes nylander in regular season was pretty good at even strenght, in playoff 5v5 for nylander was an other story...and thats where leafs to be better, they dont need to be better in regular season

Betuzzi is initial plan, doesn't mean it will work and be what it look like come playoff.

Nylander strenght is creating scoring chance off the rush with speed. Thats why domi is a good fit because they can play that way together

Jt strenght is by cycling the puck, rushing the net, battling in front of the net, winning 1vs 1 battle. Thats also why knies is a good fit.

I don't hate Tavares. I don't like his contract, but I'm smart enough to understand that's on Dubas, not Tavares.

If someone wants to say he's almost ppg, I have no issue with that. If someone says he's ppg and therefore belongs at 2C, I have an issue with that, as particularly in his case, the former does not support the latter, as I have pointed out numerous times. The usual response is "PPG!"

I'm not sure you want to go to the playoffs. Against Florida, Willy led the team in both goals and points. Yes, he was -2. So was JT. (Same line - funny how that works.)

I fully agree about the pairings - the best part is they finally separate Willy and JT.