thusk
Registered User
The only reason leafs looking option of nylander at C is lack of leafs depht at the position, thats it
But with the way Minten playing, i dont think willy will stay at C
How long do you except the Nylander at center experiment to last?
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The only reason leafs looking option of nylander at C is lack of leafs depht at the position, thats it
But with the way Minten playing, i dont think willy will stay at C
notDatsyuk
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Maybe they're looking at it because they think he will be more productive there, and they finally have more depth on the wings?
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thusk
Registered User
Sorry but the only reason to use a winger who never played at c in NHL in his 9 carreer season like a c, its you're having a huge lack of option
notDatsyuk
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That's your opinion, and you're entitled to it, but I don't think it's shared by too many, particularly the Leafs management.
He was a centre in the minors (and still is when playing for Sweden) and was signed as a centre. Because of the Tavares signing and how short they were in wingers it made more sense to play him at 2RW instead of 3C.
Now with better wingers and JT bring less effective, it makes sense to try him back at centre. With Dubas gone, the main impetus to keeping JT at 2C and Willy supporting him has disappeared.
thusk
Registered User
Its most harder playing c in NHL... just a list of player who played Center before NHL...
domi, kerfoot, marner, Evander kane, eberle, voracek, huberdeau, reinhart, connor... i can continue if you want.... playing c before NHL doesn't mean in any way than you can be a center in NHL
if the plan would be like you said than switch nylander at c because tavares slow down, they would want to switch tavares on wing too...
notDatsyuk
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I could list a lot more players who played C in the minors and play C in the NHL.
Yes, playing C in the minors is no guarantee you can do it in the NHL, but that gives you the best odds. (How many players never played C before playing it in the NHL?)
If Willy works at C, then you can look at Willy, JT, Kampf, Jarnkrok, Domi, Knies, even Minten, and decide who are your best choices at 2C, 3C, and 4C. If he doesn't work at C, move him back to RW, and no harm done.
Just because he becomes a centre (if he does), it doesn't guarantee JT gets dropped to 3C, which seems to be your only real concern.
If JT is slowing down, it's better for both him and the team if he takes a lesser role. 3C still takes advantage of one of his two big assets - faceoffs. (His other big asset is the PP, which isn't affected by where he plays at even strength.)
There is a lot of evidence that JT and Willy shouldn't be on a line together, so if Willy moves to 2C, having JT on Willy's wing isn't a good idea, just as having Willy on JT's wing isn't.
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saffronleaf
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Frostitute
Registered User
He was back at wing vs. Detroit, but Keefe indicated that was just to get Minten a game at centre, and the "Willy at centre" experiment isn't over:
Or we could f***ing around and go with the top 6 as it's meant to be.
Bertuzzi Matthews Marner
Domi Tavares Nylander.
That's the best, most effective top 6 they can run so run it.
Nylander and Jarnkrok don't belong at center, because they are wingers play them in their optimal position which is on the wing.
It's over, I mean maybe they try it again for a shift, maybe even a game or 2, but that's all it will ever be, because that's all it ever is, and all It's ever been.
Because it doesn't and never has worked.
thusk
Registered User
And thats exactly the stragegy toronto did again and again and never work... maybe its time to take exemple on pittsburgh/ chicagp ( during their run) get 3 pretty good line unstead of an excellent top 6
That strategy previously had Kerfoot in the top 6 not Bertuzzi, and Bunting instead of Domi.
Now It's an actual top 6, not a top 4 with 2 guys you hope work out and 1 that you know won't in Kerfoot.
thusk
Registered User
Kerfoot was on 3rd line on playoff... but go ahead
And at the end will still the same... if top 6 dont make everything offensivly, leafs gonna loose. They cant have a bad night or its a automatic lost... that why its just so important a great third line because its how great team win.
It’s never been legitimately tried with a healthy roster, but sure.
thewave
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Leafs always let assets walk for nothing. We coined own rental among other things. I was making posts when i first joined HFBoards specifically outlining why its competitive advantage ending to lose assets for nothing.
It never changes though, the Leafs have nothing but riches and know nothing but how to overspend. Losses be damned is obviously the attitude about any and all things in the ivory tower.
Expect more great regular seasons.
TMLBlueandWhite
Knies Is The Next Hyman But Better
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Structural things to watch with the Maple Leafs this season
Though the Maple Leafs defeated their first-round demons last season, it looks like Sheldon Keefe and the coaching staff are implementing different strategies heading into 2023-24. Justin Bourne takes a look at what to watch out for.
Interesting read on the Leafs possibly switching their defensive zone coverage.
Going to a man on man instead of a zone coverage. The change will result in less switches between defensemen and centres. It also will put more pressure on the centre to perform defensive duties.
With Matthews and Kampf it might not be a problem.
Tavares and Nylander are another story. As a ppg centre the proper strategy would be to play Tavares more against lesser competition so he can put up a bunch of points. Get a 3C that can handle hard defensive matchups.
It’s easier to find a defensive centre than one that can put up 80+ points.
Which is one reason why the Nylander at centre experiment was doomed from the beginning. Line matching would have become a difficult challenge. And if the Leafs are changing their defensive scheme it makes even less sense.
Not that anyone will ever accuse the Leafs of logical reasoning and deduction though.
ZEBROA
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When Nylander has had at least 20games at C in a row and failing at it, i would say he cant play at C. How many has it been this year ... 2games? . I dont think he was awfull those 2 games. You cant prove something if you never get a real chance to prove it. As it is now he should play RW with Minten, Knies (Domi).
Twowingcantfly
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- Jul 4, 2019
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Willy was moved back to wing, when JT failed miserably at wing, or better yet refuse to perform. I watched 3 preseason games. It was shameful to say the least. A grown man behaving like a child, when yuh take away his toy.
Twowingcantfly
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I hear what you're saying. Ultimately our 2C should not be sheltered. If there are flaws in his game at center, move him to the wing. We have a few able bodies to play 2CStructural things to watch with the Maple Leafs this season
Though the Maple Leafs defeated their first-round demons last season, it looks like Sheldon Keefe and the coaching staff are implementing different strategies heading into 2023-24. Justin Bourne takes a look at what to watch out for.www.sportsnet.ca
Interesting read on the Leafs possibly switching their defensive zone coverage.
Going to a man on man instead of a zone coverage. The change will result in less switches between defensemen and centres. It also will put more pressure on the centre to perform defensive duties.
With Matthews and Kampf it might not be a problem.
Tavares and Nylander are another story. As a ppg centre the proper strategy would be to play Tavares more against lesser competition so he can put up a bunch of points. Get a 3C that can handle hard defensive matchups.
It’s easier to find a defensive centre than one that can put up 80+ points.
Which is one reason why the Nylander at centre experiment was doomed from the beginning. Line matching would have become a difficult challenge. And if the Leafs are changing their defensive scheme it makes even less sense.
Not that anyone will ever accuse the Leafs of logical reasoning and deduction though.
notDatsyuk
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Man on man coverage is bad for Tavares, as he is so slow that he can regularly get beat by the C moving out to the blueline (which as the article says is happening more and more) and then slipping past him. At least Nylander can keep up.Structural things to watch with the Maple Leafs this season
Though the Maple Leafs defeated their first-round demons last season, it looks like Sheldon Keefe and the coaching staff are implementing different strategies heading into 2023-24. Justin Bourne takes a look at what to watch out for.
Interesting read on the Leafs possibly switching their defensive zone coverage.
Going to a man on man instead of a zone coverage. The change will result in less switches between defensemen and centres. It also will put more pressure on the centre to perform defensive duties.
With Matthews and Kampf it might not be a problem.
Tavares and Nylander are another story. As a ppg centre the proper strategy would be to play Tavares more against lesser competition so he can put up a bunch of points. Get a 3C that can handle hard defensive matchups.
It’s easier to find a defensive centre than one that can put up 80+ points.
Which is one reason why the Nylander at centre experiment was doomed from the beginning. Line matching would have become a difficult challenge. And if the Leafs are changing their defensive scheme it makes even less sense.
Not that anyone will ever accuse the Leafs of logical reasoning and deduction though.
And since less than half of Tavares' 'ppg' came at 5v5 last year, that particular stat is irrelevant in this context.
Of course with Willy at 2C and JT at 3C, the line matching becomes a challenge for the other team, and having JT at 3C gives his the 'lesser competition' that you think he needs.
Willy is not going to be at 2C, and if he is it won't last long, because it never does.
You may as well give up that dream
notDatsyuk
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I'm not sure why you keep insisting that 'it never does' when it's never really been tried. Are you that afraid of it happening?
I can see Minten becoming the 2C (although maybe not this year) and that would keep Willy on the wing. If so, change 'Willy' to 'Minten' in my post, and everything is still true.
Because I've watched this team for 20+ years EVERY TIME they have tried it, it has failed, I don't understand the obsession with fitting a square peg into a round hole.
The best thing for this team would be Minten developing chemistry with Knies and showing he can be a center, because Tavares is 33 and eventually somebody will need to take over.
But it is not and never will be Nylander, because if it was, he'd already be a center.
