Is Nylander Better Than Tavares At This Point?

[Tufted Titmouse]

I thought JT's line look pretty good last night.

When it was Mik-Tavares-Kase, they had an 89.9% xGF%

 

[mydnyte]

Not trying to bash either player or anything... just genuinely curious what the responses will be.

He outscored him in points and goals and seems to be better at creating offense on his own and less reliant on teammates. He's obviously a much better skater and faster. I'm sure the veteran Tavares does have some nuances to his game that William lacks.

Which player do you think is better (outright and not relative to salary)?

No, he's not. Tavares is much more than the points he scores. He's our best faceoff guy, he takes tons of pressure off Matthews, and he's incredible on the puck.
Nylander has all the potential to be elite, but, he still floats and makes lazy passes too often, which is why he needs the occasional kick in the pants (and has asked the coaching staff to do that as well)

 

[Havoc]

I thought JT's line look pretty good last night.

When it was Mik-Tavares-Kase, they had an 89.9% xGF%

Are you sure? JT's lines got smoked in xGF%. Where are you seeing the 89?

Nylander was cruising over 90% all night but as soon as he was put with JT it went downhill.

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

Are you sure? JT's lines got smoked in xGF%. Where are you seeing the 89?

Nylander was cruising over 90% all night but as soon as he was put with JT it went downhill.

I am looking at Moneypuck, 5v5 line stats. Shows Mik-Tavares-Kase @ 3:06 TOI 5v5, 89%. Only 31% Corsi, though, so maybe there's an error?

 

[Havoc]

I am looking at Moneypuck, 5v5 line stats. Shows Mik-Tavares-Kase @ 3:06 TOI 5v5, 89%. Only 31% Corsi, though, so maybe there's an error?

You're right. I do trust that site. Natural Stat Trick seems to have incomplete data for lines. They list the xGF% at 17 lol, that's weird.

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

You're right. I do trust that site. Natural Stat Trick seems to have incomplete data for lines. They list the xGF% at 17 lol, that's weird.

I think we will get much more meaningful numbers after a few more games anyway. I think Keefe made the right call putting some fast, defensively sound wingers on each side of Tavares. We will see how it works out over the long run....I wouldn't expect a line like that to dominate, but if they can get some transition opportunities and not be a defensive liability against a good line, that's a win.

 

[shakermaker]

This year - absolutely. And I wouldn't doubt if it stays that way going forward. It's going to be f***ing painful if the cost of keeping Tavares is moving Nylander.

What makes you think contract negotiations with Nylander will be a problem?

 

[Tak7]

Nylander has gamebreaking potential.

Tavares is just super steady and consistent, even if he sometimes leaves me wishing for more at 5on5.

 

[justloveleafs]

For the rest of the playoffs, I would love at the very least on posting on subjects that aren't typically divisive.

We have an incredible team, best imo in the NHL, AND most importantly, for now at least, the officials are treating us fairly.

Is Vegas finally going to let us win a Cup? Well, it appears we are shoe ins to win this series anyways.

If you see the refs turn against us then Vegas has switched teams.

 

[zeke]

 

[BigBlu]

1000x yes.

Tavares SO SLOW.

I hated the signing and said so at the time. Our window collapses when he turns into Jason Allison and we are paying him more than Sid -- over/under ~ 0.75 yrs.

 

[Dale Gribble]

As much as Nylander's lack of drive at times drives me nuts, there's little doubt in my mind that Nylander is clearly better than JT.

I didn't like the JT signing at the time, and still don't. The Leafs not only overpaid, but it also ensured that Matthews wouldn't sign for less than $11.134 Million, and I suppose it boosted Marner's contract talks as well.

Imagine keeping Kadri at $4.5 Mill, and hopefully signing Matthews and Marner for a little less, the Leafs would have had over $10 million to play with, and create better depth throughout the lineup. I know, I know, Tavares could have signed for more elsewhere, but if San Jose was dumb enough to sign JT to $13 Million AAV, the Leafs should have let them. Leafs would have had cap room to make moves, and San Jose's situation would have been even worse than it is now.

All just in theory, and obviously speculation on my part, but I'd rather have some cap room, than have to deal with Tavares cap hit for 3 more seasons.

 

[Steve]

When Nylander wants to play, he's almost as good as Marner. His consistency of effort or willingness is my only concerns he's full of talent

 

[Koolboss]

As much as Nylander's lack of drive at times drives me nuts, there's little doubt in my mind that Nylander is clearly better than JT.

I didn't like the JT signing at the time, and still don't. The Leafs not only overpaid, but it also ensured that Matthews wouldn't sign for less than $11.134 Million, and I suppose it boosted Marner's contract talks as well.

Imagine keeping Kadri at $4.5 Mill, and hopefully signing Matthews and Marner for a little less, the Leafs would have had over $10 million to play with, and create better depth throughout the lineup. I know, I know, Tavares could have signed for more elsewhere, but if San Jose was dumb enough to sign JT to $13 Million AAV, the Leafs should have let them. Leafs would have had cap room to make moves, and San Jose's situation would have been even worse than it is now.

All just in theory, and obviously speculation on my part, but I'd rather have some cap room, than have to deal with Tavares cap hit for 3 more seasons.

Lets go Dubas lol

 

[Srsly]

I’d argue that JT is better on the dot and the better defensive player but Nylander has surpassed him offensively. Unfortunately the effort level for Nylander remains a little inconsistent in my eyes and there were definitely times he arguably held Tavares back with lackluster defensive play and floating that left our captain to pick up the slack. They’re pretty comparable right now, Nylander should have the edge if he works on his consistency issues though.

 

[hamzarocks]

If John Tavares is a 80ish point center and our 4th best forward then Dubas plan is working and the team is thriving.

If JT was producing at a 50-60 point clip yhen this would be concerning. He's still a decent 1C caliber player

 

[CapspaceKiller]

Nylander is just more dynamic an offensive threat and super flashly.

It was great though seeing guys like: Willy, Marner and Auston dancing around the Tampa with ease and then Tavares would go out there and out work them around the boards and down low all night long. The change of pace helped the team a lot.

 

[MarnerElite]

1000x yes.

Tavares SO SLOW.

I hated the signing and said so at the time. Our window collapses when he turns into Jason Allison and we are paying him more than Sid -- over/under ~ 0.75 yrs.

lmao. I was just thinking about Jason Allison too and his stickhandling while barely moving(and then opposing players stealing the puck while he's on his ass)...I don't have issues with JT's game when in the other zone because he has decent strength and agility...Of course his shot is quite good as well when being able to get to those danger areas. But yes, I just don't like the fact we're paying so much money for a guy who cannot skate and more importantly the fact he makes so many poor decisions with the puck. Like that dumb play where he's behind our net and he comes out right in front while the other team has a player there waiting...lol

Nylander has the speed, strength and playmaking ability. In all those areas he's better...JT does look like he works harder but imagine he wasn't a hard worker and he made poor decisions(and fairly poor skating)? That would suck even more...

 

[Raging Bull]

Yes.

 

[Coachcorner]

You gotta love it. Since tavares has been incivible tonight, simmonds just TOOK OUT PERRY FOR LIFE IN THIS SERIES. Simmonds is doing errrbodys job. Nice. I ain't able to comment anymore on the gdt thread.

 

[Voodoo Child]

Easily.

 

[saffronleaf]

easily

 

[ZEBROA]

Are Nylander a wasted on the third line?
Did Keefe try Bunting with Tavares and Nylander a few games?
Or Tavres with Matthews and Marner.

Or Tavares only on faceoffs and powerplays... were u dont have to move as much.

Or just try them together again and se if they find chemestry now...

Do something.

 

[Leafblooded]

JT is literally invisible. A toaster could be better. And I've been saying this for years.

 

[TopCheese]

Nylander wasted on line 3. Time to move him back with JT and someone who can retreive pucks like Bunting. Kerfoot - Matthews - Marner were great together in game 1. Also allows us to bring back our great checking 3rd line of Mik - Kampf- Engvall