William Nylander has reached superstar status

[HFpapi]

Has any team in NHL history ever had THREE quasi-generational talents all playing at once? [rhetorical]

If this is satirical/sarcasm then it's going over my head.

I'm a Leafs fan but calling Marner/Nylander "quasi-generational" is ridiculous. They are very good players and possibly HOF'ers but let's pump the breaks with ridiculous claims like that.

Second; are you seriously asking if other teams have ever had such an impressive big 3?

Gretzky/Messier/Coffey
Lemieux/Jagr/Francis
Sakic/Forsberg/Roy
Trottier/Bossy/Potvin
Orr/Esposito/Bucyk
Howe/Lindsay/Kelly
Lafleur/Robinson/Dryden
Yzerman/Lidstrom/Fedorov
Crosby/Malkin/Letang
Hull/Mikita/Hall

(Again, maybe this is just typical Leaf-hating sarcasm)?

 

[MCR74]

Some of the players he has lost to in HF Polls have are something to behold.

Notice Nylander appears in less polls these days.

 

[Felidae]

Yeah, I think the "superstar" label is premature.

No denying his level of play at the moment.

But one, there's no guarantee he maintains this pace throughout an 82 game season. We're talking about a 27 year old player who finished 18th in goals and 20th in points in his best season. That's excellent and all, but going from that to 8th in goals and 7th in points over the course of a full season is a humongous jump.

And secondly, say he does maintain this pace over 82 games, he's gonna have to prove that it wasn't a one off season in the next few years for the "superstar" label to stick.

Nylander is an exciting player to watch, and the league would be better for it if this is really a next level for him and not just a hot start or one hit wonder.

 

[playasRus]

Wonder if someone's going to shell out 10M for him or if he'll have to settle for a 9M.

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

Nylander >>>>>>> Matthews.

Am I right?

 

[authentic]

Yeah, I think the "superstar" label is premature.

No denying his level of play at the moment.

But one, there's no guarantee he maintains this pace throughout an 82 game season. We're talking about a 27 year old player who finished 18th in goals and 20th in points in his best season. That's excellent and all, but going from that to 8th in goals and 7th in points over the course of a full season is a humongous jump.

And secondly, say he does maintain this pace over 82 games, he's gonna have to prove that it wasn't a one off season in the next few years for the "superstar" label to stick.

Nylander is an exciting player to watch, and the league would be better for it if this is really a next level for him and not just a hot start or one hit wonder.

He’s been on a steady rise the last 3 seasons and look no further than his fellow Swedes Zetterberg, Lidstrom, Hedman, Forsberg, Alfredsson and the Sedins who reached their peaks in their age 27 season or later. Watching him every game so far I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Leafs player this consistently elite in my life except Matthews a few seasons ago during his 51 in 50 stretch. He is currently a one man wrecking crew who does it all offensively, does it with style (hence the name Willy Styles) and makes it look easy.

 

[rielledup]

It's been 15 games, why do people never learn not to overreact to small sample size? let's see if he can keep this pace up for 82.

 

[SmoggyTwinkles]

can the leafs afford to sign him?

No.

So have at it.

That's your new best player locked up for 7 years.

What could go wrong?

Always nice to see fans of other teams hyping up leaf players when they need a new contract

Everyone wants to see Nylander get overpaid or leave Toronto. It’s a win-win situations for the trolls.

Canucks fans are praying that Nylander signs with their team so they can add another star forward that just so happens to be from Sweden

What if he leaves Toronto and gets overpaid?

How does that work?

 

[Mez]

Always knew money was his biggest motivator, not surprised this is happening in a contract year. Can the Leafs afford to keep him?

 

[Willchel Marlynder]

It's been 15 games, why do people never learn not to overreact to small sample size? let's see if he can keep this pace up for 82.

I agree way too early to crown him the best winger in the game, but Nylander isn't just getting lucky points. It looks different with him. He's literally imposing his will on the ice right now. Amazing playmaking, beautiful snipes, power forward moves to the net. Literally doing it all while playing a sound defensive game. Does he score 130 points and wins the Hart? Probably not, but 100 points+ looks very realistic for him

 

[peconcan]

Leafs need to just extend him we can’t let him walk for free and we definitely can’t trade him unless we’re getting a huge return which is unlikely. Extend him and figure out the cap for next season then let JT walk or sign for super cheap the next year

 

[Felidae]

He’s been on a steady rise the last 3 seasons and look no further than his fellow Swedes Zetterberg, Lidstrom, Hedman, Forsberg, Alfredsson and the Sedins who reached their peaks in their age 27 season or later. Watching him every game so far I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Leafs player this consistently elite in my life except Matthews a few seasons ago during his 51 in 50 stretch. He is currently a one man wrecking crew who does it all offensively, does it with style (hence the name Willy Styles) and makes it look easy.

I'm not doubting he looks dominant. But it's another thing altogether to sustain the type of production he currently has in an 82 game season.

The steady rise he's had the last few seasons are exactly that. Noticeable rise in production but nothing that jumps out. At the moment he's pacing for 127 points when his previous high was 87 points.

Not an impossible jump, but a pretty unlikely one. The names you mentioned didn't have as big of a rise in production.

And again, even if he does maintain it, usually one career year like that wouldnt be enough for the "superstar" label to stick among hockey fans if he doesn't replicate similar numbers again.

 

[eramosat]

he's certainly a superstar at life. one of the most natural and easy-going NHL players out there, rolls with every situation. That's what a strong family life lived in multiple cultures, and staying happy and positive and supportive gets you. i hope he passes it onto his own family when the time comes. Much more valuable than any NHL success.

PS. As for where he lands in the future? That is a great question. He has a great affinity for Toronto, that much is clear. But love for a city or place could easily be replaced by the next place too, and I think he has enough understading to appreciate that...I suspect WIlliam would make himself at home in any NHL city.

Don't know how much Toronto affinity + salary desire affects him. I bet he would like to stay with his friends, but who wants to give up lots of money to just stay with your friends? With little guarantee of any bonuses?

I wish him all the best, especially as he is the least greedy horse in the Toronto trough, but equally as deserving as any of them.

 

[JAS 39 Gripen]

He sure has, but I would argue that he was already a superstar last year ( or maybe in between star and superstar). Looking forward to see him leave the Leafs soon for the Jets

 

[Ulysses31]

best contract tml could hope for is 8x11

 

[The90]

Yeah, I think the "superstar" label is premature.

No denying his level of play at the moment.

But one, there's no guarantee he maintains this pace throughout an 82 game season. We're talking about a 27 year old player who finished 18th in goals and 20th in points in his best season. That's excellent and all, but going from that to 8th in goals and 7th in points over the course of a full season is a humongous jump.

And secondly, say he does maintain this pace over 82 games, he's gonna have to prove that it wasn't a one off season in the next few years for the "superstar" label to stick.

Nylander is an exciting player to watch, and the league would be better for it if this is really a next level for him and not just a hot start or one hit wonder.

I don’t expect him to get 120+ points by any means, but am I missing something here? He had 88 points last year. Going from 8th to 20th or 20th to 8th isn’t a big stretch whatsoever?

The guys been an 80+ point player for over 2 years now. He was already a star?

 

[Rants Mulliniks]

I said: rhetorical. Good company, I'd say!

While I agree the "quasi generational" may be a stretch, it's nice to look at that list and realize there is a 4th guy not even mentioned that is likely HOF bound and still performing at a high clip.

I witnessed the 70's and 80's. Cup or no Cup, it won't be lost on me that we are spoiled right now.

 

[BallardEra]

After 17 games last year:

7 goals, 10 assists for 17 points and -1


After 17 games this season:

12 goals, 15 assists for 27 points and +2

 

[Steddy33]

Its almost like this is a contract year

This is the one and only answer. The people who don't realize that are fooling themselves.

 

[Felidae]

I don’t expect him to get 120+ points by any means, but am I missing something here? He had 88 points last year. Going from 8th to 20th or 20th to 8th isn’t a big stretch whatsoever?

The guys been an 80+ point player for over 2 years now. He was already a star?

The difference between a 20th place point finish and 7th was 22 points.

Admittedly the difference between 8th and 18th in goals that season was a mere 3 goals (didnt check until you mentioned). But the difference between his GPG last season and now is 18 goals.

My definitions of superstar is players like Kucherov, Draisatl, MacKinnon, etc. With the rise in scoring these past couple of years, I wouldn't say PPG is superstar tier, probably a tier or two below. If you wanna distinguish between star and superstar then I suppose Nylander is the former.

 

[Byron Bitz]

He sure has, but I would argue that he was already a superstar last year ( or maybe in between star and superstar). Looking forward to see him leave the Leafs soon for the Jets

How much do you think the Jets will offer him?

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Very good player, but IMHO a minor quibble that a "star" means one is known by local sport fans generally and perhaps even by the fans of a sport league generally, while by contrast a "superstar" is somebody known nationally, if not internationally, by average folks who may not even follow any sports at all, e.g., Shaquille O'Neal, Patrick Mahomes, etc.

A good rule of thumb is whether somebody has been in an insurance commercial or appeared in network commercials for non-sports timeslots, If not, at best they are a mere star.

Of course, somebody could be a "superstar" to you subjectively, and there is nothing wrong with that if it makes you happier.

I feel like Canadians probably know about him, if you're using the US as your measure then Crosby isn't a superstar.

 

[authentic]

I'm not doubting he looks dominant. But it's another thing altogether to sustain the type of production he currently has in an 82 game season.

The steady rise he's had the last few seasons are exactly that. Noticeable rise in production but nothing that jumps out. At the moment he's pacing for 127 points when his previous high was 87 points.

Not an impossible jump, but a pretty unlikely one. The names you mentioned didn't have as big of a rise in production.

And again, even if he does maintain it, usually one career year like that wouldnt be enough for the "superstar" label to stick among hockey fans if he doesn't replicate similar numbers again.

I’m not sure why he would need to maintain this pace, I don’t know if anyone is expecting him to score more than 120 points this season, it’s more about whether this level of play is sustainable not the current pace he’s on. He’s going to run into slumps eventually and have off nights like everyone else but if he can play like he has 75-80% of the time (something like that seems about right for how often most elite players bring their A game) then we’re looking at a player capable of 100+ points and who knows where his ceiling is (I would personally cut it off at 110-115) but there’s no doubt in my mind atleast we’re looking at a fully capable 50 goal 100 point scorer who dominates in transition and all over the offensive zone. Then next season is all about trying to bring that level again and hope it’s not just a Gaudreau or Huberdeau situation.

 

[McClelland]

Nylander will get 11x7 as Ufa! Got stepmother treatment in Leafs for years, 2nd pp, less C and linemates most often while Money Mitch got overpaid big time with all the primetime and hot linemates.

Nylander need to get backpay from Toronto for outproducing his 6.9m contract big time

He can take over games at will, his zone entries is leuage top 3, hes a winner , saw it 1st time in Wc , when he got gold and Mvp.

He will wait out a Marner signing and not take a cent less!

 

[VivaLasVegas]

I feel like Canadians probably know about him, if you're using the US as your measure then Crosby isn't a superstar.

Agree about Crosby. Gretzky is possibly the only player still living who might fit that characterization in the U.S., but of course professional hockey here is no higher than the sixth most visible sport, after professional and college football and basketball, and MLB.