Nylander - In round 2 doing his thing.

[HomelessPepper]

It's about time Beastlander showed up. We've been missing him so far this playoffs. We need more of this!

 

[authentic]

He was quite good in our end as well, he actually won a couple pucks to start the rush. That’s when you know he’s engaged, first time I’ve seen that this playoffs, that defensive hustle. People focus on the flash, without the effort everywhere, it’s meaningless, or more correctly, a deficit for your team. He was an asset everywhere last night.

Really not encouraging to me that it took going down 3-0 to see this effort from him though.

 

[authentic]

What about EK65 a few years ago? All I’m saying is - players have been playing injured before. Let’s say that Matthews is injured (……) and not just bad right now, can’t he contribute in other ways than scoring?

He is contributing in other ways than scoring... ?

For one thing he's only been held off the scoresheet in 2 games these entire playoffs as well...

Also, when someone has been dealing with wrist/hand issues and their shot is clearly not 60% of what it is at full health that's not exactly a small disadvantage for a player who's best attribute is his shot.

Halfway through game 2 I saw him shaking his hand in serious pain... It was already not close to 100% for anyone who's been watching him closely but it seems as though he's re-aggravated it

Either way he's still over a point per game and has been once again among the leaders for forwards in hits, takeaways and blocked shots. Anyone who thinks Matthews doesn't contribute defensively at this point may as well take up debating about a different sport.

 

[ruaware41]

He isn't the best Leafs' player, but he is probably best at a few things.
He won't dipsy-doddle like marner, but marner doesn't do at speed what Nylander does.
Smart player, sometimes does things that gets misinterpreted.
Doesn't hit or like to get hit, but in a puck battle he's extremely effective.
Played some defense last night, had at least one interception that might have saved one, and pressured in the d-zone.

Looked so good last night, what a beauty. Beast with the puck, Willy goes where Willy wants to go and pretty much nobody else on the Leafs can do the same.

he’s the closest thing to mcdavid that we have

edit: before some idiot thinks I’m saying he’s mcdavid calibre I’m just saying he’s the closest thing to him that we have, not that he’s a better hockey player than matthews etc.

 

[Phion Keneuf]

When he’s on, he’s our best player.

 

[authentic]

^ Also, if I could choose between playing through and injury that affects my skating or my stickhandling/shooting/passing I'm taking the leg injury every single time.

 

[Dayjobdave]

We can have nice things without comparing them.

Willie is a great winger and he is playing great in this post season. I hope we find a way to keep him around because, amongst other things, I already have 2 Willie sweaters.

 

[ITM]

And I'll keep repeating this:

For material purposes, management should start with his contract, make his contract the bar, and if the rest don't want to fall in line, then it's time to maximize them into assets and get depth with the saved money.

Ulf summarized his positives perfectly. To add, he is consistent in his behavior (at least in interviews) and never seems flustered. He doesn't need the letter, but he should absolutely have one.

 

[ULF_55]

Really not encouraging to me that it took going down 3-0 to see this effort from him though.

Yep, maybe there is an issue with deployment?

Nylander get to the back of the bus and don't you look at us here at the front!
Who do you think you are anyway, depthy.

Hey, Mitch pass the nachos.


Note: Not everything written is to be taken as gospel Sometimes it's just fun.

 

[AndyWozniewski]

He isn't the best Leafs' player, but he is probably best at a few things.
He won't dipsy-doddle like marner, but marner doesn't do at speed what Nylander does.
Smart player, sometimes does things that gets misinterpreted.
Doesn't hit or like to get hit, but in a puck battle he's extremely effective.
Played some defense last night, had at least one interception that might have saved one, and pressured in the d-zone.

This in bold is the most overlooked part of his game. People love to call him soft but he's actually incredibly strong on puck and uses his body to shield it very effectively.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Yep, maybe there is an issue with deployment?

Nylander get to the back of the bus and don't you look at us here at the front!
Who do you think you are anyway, depthy.

Hey, Mitch pass the nachos.

Note: Not everything written is to be taken as gospel Sometimes it's just fun.

Pretty much this. Keefe's mishandling of Nylander is just brutal and that alone might be the difference between winning and losing this series and therefore costs us a shot at the cup this season.

 

[saffronleaf]

since this is the main nylander discussion thread could we have a better thread title??

liking the new thread title. lets gooooo

 

[thewave]

Beastlander is going to keep beasting. These complainers measure the guy to 11-12m players and then say oh he is only a little better. It's comedy in action up in the Beastlander thread. Half of the games Willy is pretty much a zone ahead of his linemates at all times.

 

[Antropovsky]

I'm sure a team would.

He can play with any shooter.

Clayton Keller straight up? Coyotes have no problem with Cap.

Nylander can play with a shooter as well, as shoot. And everyone knows Nylander can move the puck into the O-Zone.

I really wonder how negotiations will go if Keefe is still there though?

Why would Coyotes do Marner for Keller?

- Keller is one year younger than Marner.
- Keller had 37 goals and 86 points on a lousy Coyotes team. While Marner had 30 goals and 99 points on a team stacked with talent.
- Keller had 30 points more than the next Coyote.
- Keller also had 57 goals and primary assists combined
- While Marner had only 48 primary goals and primary assists.
- Keller had 66 even strength points, whIle Marner had 58.
- Keller makes 7.1 million, while Marner makes 11 million.

Keller is the better player and makes significantly.... Significantly less money than Marner.

Keller has one of the best contracts in the NHL and for 5 more seasons.

 

[Aashir]

Why would Coyotes do Marner for Keller?

- Keller is one year younger than Marner.
- Keller had 37 goals and 86 points on a lousy Coyotes team. While Marner had 30 goals and 99 points on a team stacked with talent.
- Keller had 30 points more than the next Coyote.
- Keller also had 57 goals and primary assists combined
- While Marner had only 48 primary goals and primary assists.
- Keller had 66 even strength points, whIle Marner had 58.
- Keller makes 7.1 million, while Marner makes 11 million.

Keller is the better player and makes significantly.... Significantly less money than Marner.

Keller has one of the best contracts in the NHL and for 5 more seasons.

What? I guess this guy would be putting 115+ points every year on our team with your logic

He gets to run around playing offence and doing whatever he wants with whatever efforts he wants in whatever zone he wants. No one cares cuz they suck

Every shitty team will have a guy who scores, because someone has to score for everyteam. It’s why it’s so rare for teams like the 20-21 redwings to exist. Their top point getter was a 38 point pace defence man….that isn’t common. Most teams have 1 good line which runs away with their teams scoring

 

[Larcos_Unal]

And I'll keep repeating this:

For material purposes, management should start with his contract, make his contract the bar, and if the rest don't want to fall in line, then it's time to maximize them into assets and get depth with the saved money.

Ulf summarized his positives perfectly. To add, he is consistent in his behavior (at least in interviews) and never seems flustered. He doesn't need the letter, but he should absolutely have one.

Now this is a scorching, lava-like, surface of the sun-level HOT TAKE.
Willie is a great player, but is his on-ice demeanor and effort level conducive to a letter??

That's a mighty big stretch.

 

[ZEBROA]

Now this is a scorching, lava-like, surface of the sun-level HOT TAKE.
Willie is a great player, but is his on-ice demeanor and effort level conducive to a letter??

That's a mighty big stretch.

I would give him an A. They dont show him in use, or in any good way at all that he is supposed to be a core piece. So something like that might mentaly be a push. He is well spoken and not afraid to talk. Nylander often shows up when he feel that he is needed. And they might say that to him, but they show something else. I dont think he should were C and defenitly dont think Tavares should either.

As a player i would sleep if Tavares talked to me , and i would never take Marner or Matthews serious . A realy angry Nylander would probably make me listen, but most because it would be so unlikely.

But if Tavares takes us to next round i change opinion.

 

[Larcos_Unal]

I would give him an A. They dont show him in use, or in any good way at all that he is supposed to be a core piece. So something like that might mentaly be a push. He is well spoken and not afraid to talk. Nylander often shows up when he feel that he is needed. And they might say that to him, but they show something else. I dont think he should were C and defenitly dont think Tavares should either.

As a player i would sleep if Tavares talked to me , and i would never take Marner or Matthews serious . A realy angry Nylander would probably make me listen, but most because it would be so unlikely.

But if Tavares takes us to next round i change opinion.

So you wanna give a letter to a guy who never gets angry, cause he 'probably' would make you listen if he were to get angry, cause it would be so unlikely?

 

[Gary Nylund]

I would give him an A. They dont show him in use, or in any good way at all that he is supposed to be a core piece. So something like that might mentaly be a push. He is well spoken and not afraid to talk. Nylander often shows up when he feel that he is needed. And they might say that to him, but they show something else. I dont think he should were C and defenitly dont think Tavares should either.

As a player i would sleep if Tavares talked to me , and i would never take Marner or Matthews serious . A realy angry Nylander would probably make me listen, but most because it would be so unlikely.

But if Tavares takes us to next round i change opinion.

LOL that's awesome!

 

[BraveCanadian]

Nylander with a letter... lawl.

 

[authentic]

So you wanna give a letter to a guy who never gets angry, cause he 'probably' would make you listen if he were to get angry, cause it would be so unlikely?

View attachment 707166

Then goes by the nickname of the Angry Assistant

But we never see him angry though?

"You just wait. It basically never happens but when it does you'll know how he got the nickname."

 

[Jojalu]

He is contributing in other ways than scoring... ?

For one thing he's only been held off the scoresheet in 2 games these entire playoffs as well...

Also, when someone has been dealing with wrist/hand issues and their shot is clearly not 60% of what it is at full health that's not exactly a small disadvantage for a player who's best attribute is his shot.

Halfway through game 2 I saw him shaking his hand in serious pain... It was already not close to 100% for anyone who's been watching him closely but it seems as though he's re-aggravated it

Either way he's still over a point per game and has been once again among the leaders for forwards in hits, takeaways and blocked shots. Anyone who thinks Matthews doesn't contribute defensively at this point may as well take up debating about a different sport.

5 goals in the last 4 games vs Tampa. 8 game point streak, 12 including last year. Still plays 200 ft game. No doubt he is injured, which will come out after playoffs.

 

[ITM]

Now this is a scorching, lava-like, surface of the sun-level HOT TAKE.
Willie is a great player, but is his on-ice demeanor and effort level conducive to a letter??

That's a mighty big stretch.

Hardly. In a market like Toronto having an unflappable presence who produces is leadership. I've long maintained that Nylander has another gear. Often, it takes the absence of other leaders for others to step up. Thats the nature of the game.

As for a hot take: I said he doesn't need one, but should probably have one. The first part is the important part. He doesn't need one. And maybe he doesn't want one. Who knows? I think that's as definitive as determining his on-ice effort is detracted by not going into corners when he's also amongst the first to go to the dirty areas around the net. We know what he is, perhaps instead of forcing Schenn to be Reilly, we similarly don't force Nylander to be Clifford, and go out and insulate Nylander with a player that compliments him.

That complementary supplementary approach is the right approach. And its hardly a stretch to want that in your leadership, moreover given the temperament of today's players, who are in dire need of calm coaxing towards a more team-first attitude.

And fwiw, hot take and all, I think international Nylander is primed to finally emerge on to the NHL scene and when he does if he's a Leaf with a letter, I'm not going to mind.

 

[authentic]

5 goals in the last 4 games vs Tampa. 8 game point streak, 12 including last year. Still plays 200 ft game. No doubt he is injured, which will come out after playoffs.

I originally thought that 12 game point streak was going back to the regular season. That's pretty impressive for a player who doesn't show up in the playoffs

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Why would Coyotes do Marner for Keller?

- Keller is one year younger than Marner.
- Keller had 37 goals and 86 points on a lousy Coyotes team. While Marner had 30 goals and 99 points on a team stacked with talent.
- Keller had 30 points more than the next Coyote.
- Keller also had 57 goals and primary assists combined
- While Marner had only 48 primary goals and primary assists.
- Keller had 66 even strength points, whIle Marner had 58.
- Keller makes 7.1 million, while Marner makes 11 million.

Keller is the better player and makes significantly.... Significantly less money than Marner.

Keller has one of the best contracts in the NHL and for 5 more seasons.

Well you have all da stats which is great but I don't go by stats .. i have seen Mitchy go straight up against Clayton quite a few times as kids and it is not even close my friend .. but remember Clayton is a year younger and from what I saw i did not see a better 98 except his teammate Woll .. but CAP wise we would be much better off with clayton as they play similar games .. all skill and vision but both guys lack another gear for playoff hockey .. i would not go in this direction on a trade .. we need a D or a faster C