He's a great player most of the time. I watch most of the games and don't need any stats for that, literally my only problem with him is that small handful of games where he has faded away so often. Someone posted the numbers - his production in games 5-7 in a playoff series falls off a cliff. And I'd put game 3 against Florida in that "clutch game" category as well - lost that one and the season is as good as over and he played so badly, it's hard to even put into words.
I know it's a small sample size, like about 20 games or so over the last 6 years. Like literally if he played like the superstar that he's paid to be instead of a passenger for like even say 10 out of those 20 at key times, I'd have no problem with him whatsoever and I also believe that would have made enough of a difference that we'd have won a couple more playoff series by now.
Maybe it's just co-incidence that it's the biggest games where he falls off, I don't think so though. I think the problem is between the ears and to be fair, he's not the only one, the whole team has a history of coming up way short in the biggest moments. Anyhow, it is what it is, we can't trade him, I'm sure we'll resign him, nothing to do but hope that he and the rest of them (I'm looking at you Auston) figure it out at some point but I also fear this year might be our last shot - I wouldn't be shocked it Nylander took his talents elsewhere next summer and it's hard to see a path to the cup without him and whatever assets we invest in trying to win this season.
