I don't think he's playing better imo. His 18% Sh PCT is going to come back to earth.
Player Discussion William Nylander
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ToneDog
56 years and counting. #FireTheShanaClan!
Willie was on a 120 point pace this time last year. He might be a better scorer this year but he was a different beast before he signed. He's been good but he has another gear IMO. Hopefully winning the cup in Toronto means as much as playing for that last contract. Time will tell.
notDatsyuk
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As I said, he's playing better, and setting up linemates more, but at the moment they aren't converting.
I think he and JT are the two to whom winning the Cup here means the most.
I'd love to see him, and every other Leaf, with an even higher gear.
BraveCanadian
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Agreed. Glad Willy has been scoring because the Leafs haven't had a lot of other guys going. Especially until the 3rd line finally started chipping in.
But I don't see anything different about Nylander this year except he's possibly cheating more than ever on breakouts and he's being played a lot on the PP. That might be enough to keep up those percentages but the question is whether or not it is helping the team. Some nights yes, some nights no.
That stretch was the only time he has ever been consistently engaged. I think its becoming obvious now that was the exception not a new rule. He got paid and its back to normal easy come easy go Willy for 8 years.
thewave
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Nylander needs to be better. He is coasting far too much.
Real good game. Many chances and creating offence.
Maple Leaf
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Not sure if serious or
notDatsyuk
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Some good but some bad. The best of the 'big 4' is about it, and that's not saying much.
ULF_55
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Aashir Mallik
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I cut him a bit of slack because he’s playing with David freaking kampf, but he needs to be better and more engaged in the game
Looked like at points he was tired/gave up/frustrated and stopped skating because his linemates
He can’t be doing that, can’t quit on plays and on the team like that.
Looked like at points he was tired/gave up/frustrated and stopped skating because his linemates
He can’t be doing that, can’t quit on plays and on the team like that.
ULF_55
Moderator
Should have given him a letter.
Team doesn't seem to have much leadership coming from those.
GoonieFace
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Maybe if he was a worse skater it might look like he’s trying harder
thewave
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notDatsyuk
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Not that I'm comparing them in any other way, but Frank Mahovlich always looked like he was skating in slow motion - until he blew by you.
BraveCanadian
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Yes lets give a letter to another soft, lackadaisical, poor defensive forward.
That will inspire the troops!
thewave
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Rielly shouldn't even have a letter. Does not deserve it and based on playoffs Nylander is a warrior compared to Marner.
I know people like you have been on the guy the whole time but when it's counted he is the best case for showing up.
Diminish your second best scorer, from MLSEs ass to your lips. Let's leave Willy off another celebratory team promotional campaign. I swear you guys are a continuation of the Babcock mentality. He was a toxic coach just like some of your guys toxic attitude towards the guy in 2nd place for a rocket ffs. With a team of fans and supporters of WN like you guys, I would coast and collect too.
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BraveCanadian
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Nylander and warrior should NEVER be in the same sentence.
No matter how many times people repeat that nonsense on here it will never be true.
McCabe is a warrior, give him a letter instead.
Nope.
He's just been lucky so far that the occasional times he has shown up have matched up to opportune times. There is a reason he's 3rd in points among all these failures.
So he shows up when it counts but we always have an excuse ready for the inconsistent effort and results.
People just have to face that Nylander is our Pittsburgh version of Kessel. Some nights he might win you a game, some nights be might be invisible and some nights he'll lose you a game. That is why you can never win with him as your best player and he has to be sheltered and played to his strengths to get the most out of his gamebreaking.
Three coaches in a row have demonstrated they have this figured this out.
therealkoho
Him/Leaf/fan
mind you're manners theirIs that anything like Wayne Manor?
don't forget the giveaway that led directly to a goal, but it's what Nylander has always been, you can put up with the dumb stuff because more often than not Willie turns into superman when you need it most.
ULF_55
Moderator
mind you're manners their
don't forget the giveaway that led directly to a goal, but it's what Nylander has always been, you can put up with the dumb stuff because more often than not Willie turns into superman when you need it most.
Almost halfway through the season and ...
Last year:
BraveCanadian
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therealkoho
Him/Leaf/fan
BraveCanadian
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Now take out the empty net goals against from the players that actually play defense or are out late and also the multiple shortys against which was a crazy move by Berube lol.. and lets see the zone starts and matchups too.
ULF_55
Moderator
Never left.
Kind of like shooting percentage.
In isolation doesn't mean a lot, but you can compare year over year.
