William Nylander appreciation thread

[Stephen]

If/when Nylander is traded and the rest of the core still doesn't score during must win games, who are we switching the blame game to then?

For me, Tavares' contract remains the original sin of this Leaf build and will prevent them from making the big finishing moves to round out the roster or even keeping good young overachievers. He also doesn't alleviate the offensive pressure on Matthews and Marner. Nylander falls into the Kadri trap of being a secondary core piece who at the end of the day is somewhat disposable and will probably be the scapegoat. He's got so much talent but so many flaws too.

 

[ZEBROA]

I would say I've been a Willy guy all these years, still believe in his upside and natural talent and like the player, but that's basically the hockey equivalent of grounds for dismissal. If MLSE needs to shakeup the core this year that clip puts him in the front the line to be moved. It's not the one play in isolation but just all the history. Kind of like Kadri's suspension vs DeBrusk. The straw that broke the camel's back.

He cant play with Tavares and aint a 3rd line player would be a reason. With the right players and asignment he would get into a higher geer.

 

[diceman934]

For me, Tavares' contract remains the original sin of this Leaf build and will prevent them from making the big finishing moves to round out the roster or even keeping good young overachievers. He also doesn't alleviate the offensive pressure on Matthews and Marner. Nylander falls into the Kadri trap of being a secondary core piece who at the end of the day is somewhat disposable and will probably be the scapegoat. He's got so much talent but so many flaws too.

Not a scapegoat but a chicken. He is as soft as they come. I am surprise he is still here.

 

[Menzinger]

For me, Tavares' contract remains the original sin of this Leaf build and will prevent them from making the big finishing moves to round out the roster or even keeping good young overachievers. He also doesn't alleviate the offensive pressure on Matthews and Marner. Nylander falls into the Kadri trap of being a secondary core piece who at the end of the day is somewhat disposable and will probably be the scapegoat. He's got so much talent but so many flaws too.

I think we should be expecting Matthews and Marner to comfortably out produce him. And at the moment all three are tied in goals scored this series.

Nylander may very well end up the piece that is moved (if management goes down that route). But it's because we don't want to ask the harder questions.

 

[ZEBROA]

If/when Nylander is traded and the rest of the core still doesn't score during must win games, who are we switching the blame game to then?

He will probably be put to blame again, by being on the team that beat us

 

[Stephen]

I think we should be expecting Matthews and Marner to comfortably out produce him. And at the moment all three are tied in goals scored this series.

Nylander may very well end up the piece that is moved (if management goes down that route). But it's because we don't want to ask the harder questions.

Agreed on that. Stylistically he is an easy scapegoat and I’d say his relatively underachieving career makes him an easy sacrifice. Marner’s been through the ringer already and JT is obviously not a good fit.

The hardest question to ask obviously lies with Matthews if he gets stymied by Anthony Cirelli. He’s a 60 goal scorer who should be turning these matchup centres into roadkill.

Actually I change my answer. The original sin of this Leaf build was actually signing Patrick Marleau. Why Lou thought adding that guy after 2 decades of playoff underachieving hockey would be good for the culture still makes me scratch my head.

 

[Stephen]

He cant play with Tavares and aint a 3rd line player would be a reason. With the right players and asignment he would get into a higher geer.

Tavares should be on the third line more than Willy if being fair. If your game is best described as can’t skate, wins faceoffs and helping to scuttle the other teams offense you’re a third liner in everything but name anyway.

 

[ZEBROA]

Tavares should be on the third line more than Willy if being fair. If your game is best described as can’t skate, wins faceoffs and helping to scuttle the other teams offense you’re a third liner in everything but name anyway.

The Captain is untuchable it seems, so he will probably stay. I just want them to put the players in a position to make the team better. Tavares with Nylander aint it(if im wrong and they light it up from now on, then happy days).

 

[keonsbitterness]

Actually I change my answer. The original sin of this Leaf build was actually signing Patrick Marleau. Why Lou thought adding that guy after 2 decades of playoff underachieving hockey would be good for the culture still makes me scratch my head.

Lou stupidly giving him a third year will forever piss me off. Marleau's agent is probably still laughing about that.

 

[Mess]

Actually I change my answer. The original sin of this Leaf build was actually signing Patrick Marleau. Why Lou thought adding that guy after 2 decades of playoff underachieving hockey would be good for the culture still makes me scratch my head.

Player development

Patrick Marleau adopts Matthews, Marner ...

1. The value of Patrick Marleau to the Toronto Maple Leafs goes well beyond the team-high five game-winning goals he’s already potted in his new uniform.

The way the 38-year-old has bonded with Auston Matthews and Mitchell Marner — a couple of 20-year-olds aspiring to the 1,000-point career Marleau is enjoying — over the past couple of months is quite something.

“Everybody says that Patty’s got four kids at home and two on the road because he kinda takes care of me and Mitchy,” Matthews says. “It’s been awesome.”

During Marleau’s first month as a Leaf, Matthews wanted to stay quiet around him, get to know him. But now the two of them and Marner are spending most of their time on road trips together.

“He’s pretty much with us every single night, just relaxing, watching movies, sitting around talking to us,” Marner says. “We’ve gotten pretty close. We joke around with him quite a bit. He comes back and sits with us most of the flights that we’re on. We’ve grown a good relationship with him, and he’s been a big help to us.”

No one is more pleased with how the club’s A.M./P.M. connection than coach Mike Babcock.

“It’s a home run for us,” Babcock says. “I had Nick Lidstrom and now I have Patty Marleau. Those are fine, fine, fine human beings to say the least. They make people better. He is a great role model.

“He comes every day, he doesn’t say nothing and just works hard. It’s not a bad concept. You’re hoping it wears off.”

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nylander never got this kind of mentorship from a veteran to help him grow.

 

[PROUD PAPA]

didn't this guy say he wants to be more of a leader this year

I think i remember that interview.
Sure didn't follow up on those words. lol

 

[saffronleaf]

Player development

Patrick Marleau adopts Matthews, Marner ...

View attachment 543663 View attachment 543665 View attachment 543670


1. The value of Patrick Marleau to the Toronto Maple Leafs goes well beyond the team-high five game-winning goals he’s already potted in his new uniform.

The way the 38-year-old has bonded with Auston Matthews and Mitchell Marner — a couple of 20-year-olds aspiring to the 1,000-point career Marleau is enjoying — over the past couple of months is quite something.

“Everybody says that Patty’s got four kids at home and two on the road because he kinda takes care of me and Mitchy,” Matthews says. “It’s been awesome.”

During Marleau’s first month as a Leaf, Matthews wanted to stay quiet around him, get to know him. But now the two of them and Marner are spending most of their time on road trips together.

“He’s pretty much with us every single night, just relaxing, watching movies, sitting around talking to us,” Marner says. “We’ve gotten pretty close. We joke around with him quite a bit. He comes back and sits with us most of the flights that we’re on. We’ve grown a good relationship with him, and he’s been a big help to us.”

No one is more pleased with how the club’s A.M./P.M. connection than coach Mike Babcock.

“It’s a home run for us,” Babcock says. “I had Nick Lidstrom and now I have Patty Marleau. Those are fine, fine, fine human beings to say the least. They make people better. He is a great role model.

“He comes every day, he doesn’t say nothing and just works hard. It’s not a bad concept. You’re hoping it wears off.”

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nylander never got this kind of mentorship from a veteran to help him grow.

idk looks like he mentored them into playoff losers just like he was.

Agreed on that. Stylistically he is an easy scapegoat and I’d say his relatively underachieving career makes him an easy sacrifice. Marner’s been through the ringer already and JT is obviously not a good fit.

The hardest question to ask obviously lies with Matthews if he gets stymied by Anthony Cirelli. He’s a 60 goal scorer who should be turning these matchup centres into roadkill.

Actually I change my answer. The original sin of this Leaf build was actually signing Patrick Marleau. Why Lou thought adding that guy after 2 decades of playoff underachieving hockey would be good for the culture still makes me scratch my head.

Matthews is probably hurt. He got injured just before the playoffs and that was that.

 

[keonsbitterness]

“It’s a home run for us,” Babcock says. “I had Nick Lidstrom and now I have Patty Marleau. Those are fine, fine, fine human beings to say the least. They make people better. He is a great role model.

Did Babcock ask Lidstrom and Marleau to rate their teammates from 1-20 like he did with Marner?

 

[Seath The Scaleless]

Nylander never got this kind of mentorship from a veteran to help him grow.

Is that mentorship even beneficial? I mean, Marleau was part of some brutal SJ collapses in the playoffs and didn't exactly win anything.

I think that stuff is overrated

 

[Jozay]

Love Nylander, but holy f*** thats so embarrassing.

 

[saffronleaf]

Is that mentorship even beneficial? I mean, Marleau was part of some brutal SJ collapses in the playoffs and didn't exactly win anything.

I think that stuff is overrated

lol exactly. not sure if two perennial playoff losers like marleau and thornton are good influences.

looks like they made a big impression.

 

[DarkKnight]

Love Nylander, but holy f*** thats so embarrassing.

Beauty of sport, he can totally redeem himself tonight!

 

[ACC1224]

If/when Nylander is traded and the rest of the core still doesn't score during must win games, who are we switching the blame game to then?

You must have not been paying any attention the last few years if you believe the core hasn’t received any blame the last few years. They’ll receive it again this year should they lose.

 

[deprw]

lol exactly. not sure if two perennial playoff losers like marleau and thornton are good influences.

looks like they made a big impression.

Well they don't have to say anything. Just notice that those were two graybeards still chasing the cup. Winning is hard, don't waster your opportunities and chase cup when you're almost 40.

 

[Larcos_Unal]

The original sin of this Leaf build was actually signing Patrick Marleau. Why Lou thought adding that guy after 2 decades of playoff underachieving hockey would be good for the culture still makes me scratch my head.

Not only did they not learn with Marleau, they f***ING DOUBLED DOWN with Jumbo!!!!!

 

[lebdafor norris]

Player development

Patrick Marleau adopts Matthews, Marner ...

View attachment 543663 View attachment 543665 View attachment 543670


1. The value of Patrick Marleau to the Toronto Maple Leafs goes well beyond the team-high five game-winning goals he’s already potted in his new uniform.

The way the 38-year-old has bonded with Auston Matthews and Mitchell Marner — a couple of 20-year-olds aspiring to the 1,000-point career Marleau is enjoying — over the past couple of months is quite something.

“Everybody says that Patty’s got four kids at home and two on the road because he kinda takes care of me and Mitchy,” Matthews says. “It’s been awesome.”

During Marleau’s first month as a Leaf, Matthews wanted to stay quiet around him, get to know him. But now the two of them and Marner are spending most of their time on road trips together.

“He’s pretty much with us every single night, just relaxing, watching movies, sitting around talking to us,” Marner says. “We’ve gotten pretty close. We joke around with him quite a bit. He comes back and sits with us most of the flights that we’re on. We’ve grown a good relationship with him, and he’s been a big help to us.”

No one is more pleased with how the club’s A.M./P.M. connection than coach Mike Babcock.

“It’s a home run for us,” Babcock says. “I had Nick Lidstrom and now I have Patty Marleau. Those are fine, fine, fine human beings to say the least. They make people better. He is a great role model.

“He comes every day, he doesn’t say nothing and just works hard. It’s not a bad concept. You’re hoping it wears off.”

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nylander never got this kind of mentorship from a veteran to help him grow.

Is it just me or do this pictures looks photoshop?

 

[Stamkos4life]

I think we should be expecting Matthews and Marner to comfortably out produce him. And at the moment all three are tied in goals scored this series.

Nylander may very well end up the piece that is moved (if management goes down that route). But it's because we don't want to ask the harder questions.

Points
Matthews = 6
Marner = 6

Nylander = 2

Both of nylanders goals came during garbage time when the game was over. That's all he's done in 4 games.

 

[Budz22]

With all due respect to Cernak and I get it that he’s a beast. But his team being up 5-0 did William think Cernak was going to put him through the boards? At least poke the puck.

 

[Stephen]

Is that mentorship even beneficial? I mean, Marleau was part of some brutal SJ collapses in the playoffs and didn't exactly win anything.

I think that stuff is overrated

Whatever Marleau and Thornton brought along from NorCal it seems to have rubbed off on the group in terms of their lackadaisical approach. Although what’s interesting is the Sharks always seemed to bring it like Game 1 but faded over time when the Big Boys in the West turned it on.

I don’t know about Nylander specifically being left out of that friend group being a problem. His dad was an NHLer too.

 

[thusk]

With all due respect to Cernak and I get it that he’s a beast. But his team being up 5-0 did William think Cernak was going to put him through the boards? At least poke the puck.

No its playoff... its like simmonds hit game #1... you need to play hard whatever what

That kind of play from nylander is nit what you want... just imagine player on the bench still trying to giving up what they can in term of effort to create anything goodat least for game #5 and you see that... its huge negative impact and how many time we saw it from nylander? Too many