"Hate" is a strong word. Just as Nylander before, if he doesn't play a committed, hard-nosed game, he can set up as many fancy goals as he'd like it won't translate into playoff success.
I've tried to be objective and fair in my assessment, leaning on the 'if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all" mantra most of the time. I'm glad when Keefe calls them out though. His job is to be more honest and direct.
This team was last year and will this year be measured on post-season success. It would be great to see players hit 50 goals or 150 points, it won't register with fans unless the team is closer to a Cup and eventually raises one. My interest in this team is far more pedestrian than in years past due to this lack of playoff performance and sacrifice.
Marner doesn't need to throw checks every shift or be in every scrum, but he has to have fight for the puck. It's what Nylander has visibly improved upon over the last couple of years. He's much more willing to go into corners and he's more difficult to push off of the puck. The confidence he exudes illustrates that HE knows he's a "tougher" player.
When you earn the big salary the critics will rightfully question your worth relative to Cap space. That's the deal in professional sports. Hell, in Toronto I hear critics of players making minimum wage, even if they are playing a solid role on the team and doing their job as expected. The very minimum expectation is commitment and sacrifice.
Taking a small sample, or even a full season without playoff success; is not a wise barometer on how any player or team will be measured.
