William Nylander

[ruaware41]

I mean are we looking at offense only here and when Matthews is playing with an injured wrist?

Overall 2 way play of Nylander is good too when he's on; would be good enough offensively to offset not being a Kopitar in the dzone. If he had Merab Dvalishvili type cardio or even just 20% bigger gas tank he would be top 5 in scoring every year. I watch Willy when he's on and watch those guys when they are on and don't see much difference in ability to generate offence except for McDavid who is by skill level, way ahead. Maybe Mackinnon and Kuch too.

Funny enough though, Matthews would also be a much better player if he wasn't perpetually carrying a lingering injury his whole career. I feel confident in saying (though can never really know right?) Matthews fell far short of expectations when he was drafted of what he'd become because of lingering injuries. In an alternate universe, he could've become a much better player than the 90 pt season and average playoff performances we get in big games from him usually.

It sucks but it's on Matthews and the Leafs for not being willing to sacrifice a few/several months to put him out of the lineup in meaningless regular season games and focus on getting him the best recovery possible. That's why I also think the Leafs should get rid of Matthews while they can soon. He's spent his 20s banged up, and with no change, it's a damn good reason to believe it will only get worse, much worse with age and he won't be worth his contract.

 

[LeafEgo]

lol wait, are we insinuating Nylander is better than Matthews?

Matty is the most talented human the Leafs have ever had but he's a bit wonky. As far as today goes it's Willy you want to see on the ice.

Ideally Matty solves the 100 things going wrong for him and gets back to top three conversations and Willy is the ultimate sidekick.

 

[Puckstuff]

Overall 2 way play of Nylander is good too when he's on; would be good enough offensively to offset not being a Kopitar in the dzone. If he had Merab Dvalishvili type cardio or even just 20% bigger gas tank he would be top 5 in scoring every year. I watch Willy when he's on and watch those guys when they are on and don't see much difference in ability to generate offence except for McDavid who is by skill level, way ahead.

Funny enough though, Matthews would also be a much better player if he wasn't perpetually carrying a lingering injury his whole career. I feel confident in saying (though can never really know right?) Matthews fell far short of expectations when he was drafted of what he'd become because of lingering injuries. In an alternate universe, he could've become a much better player than the 90 pt season and average playoff performances we get in big games from him usually.

It sucks but it's on Matthews and the Leafs for not being willing to sacrifice a few/several months to put him out of the lineup in meaningless regular season games and focus on getting him the best recovery possible. That's why I also think the Leafs should get rid of Matthews while they can soon. He's spent his 20s banged up, and with no change, it's a damn good reason to believe it will only get worse, much worse with age and he won't be worth his contract.

What were your expectations when the Leafs drafted Matthews?

He was viewed as an elite prospect at #1 overall, but I don't recall him being hyped as much as a McDavid, Tavares, or even Bedard. I'm not sure what everyone else's expectations were when we drafted him, but if I re-call correctly, for me, I saw him as an 80–90 point, #1 center. I didn’t view him as a 100-point type of player that he ended up becoming. He has definitely met my expectations. And even in this "down year" his points per 82 gp was 95.

 

[ruaware41]

What were your expectations when the Leafs drafted Matthews?

He was viewed as an elite prospect at #1 overall, but I don't recall him being hyped as much as a McDavid, Tavares, or even Bedard. I'm not sure what everyone else's expectations were when we drafted him, but if I re-call correctly, for me, I saw him as an 80–90 point, #1 center. I didn’t view him as a 100-point type of player that he ended up becoming. He has definitely met my expectations. And even in this "down year" his points per 82 gp was 95.

100-120 pt center who could easily carry a line/elevate the play of his teammates, used his size excellently, excellent defensively and used to compete against and negate other team's elite 1c's, total package a la Getzlaf but with better goal scoring. A player who was built for the playoffs and tight games because of his size, speed, and ability to puck handle in a phone booth. and was a nightmare matchup when the going got tough (you could say prime Getzlaf in the playoffs level impact, not necessarily style).

It's a stretch but I think it's plausible he struggles in game 5, 6, & 7 as a subconscious self preservation mechanism bc of his injuries

 

[authentic]

What were your expectations when the Leafs drafted Matthews?

He was viewed as an elite prospect at #1 overall, but I don't recall him being hyped as much as a McDavid, Tavares, or even Bedard. I'm not sure what everyone else's expectations were when we drafted him, but if I re-call correctly, for me, I saw him as an 80–90 point, #1 center. I didn’t view him as a 100-point type of player that he ended up becoming. He has definitely met my expectations. And even in this "down year" his points per 82 gp was 95.

Let’s also not gloss over the fact that he scored 69 goals, 60 goals in 73 games, and had a 50 game stretch where he scored 51 goals, all as an above average defensive center… That was never expected of anyone as far as I’ve heard…

 

[IPS]

What were your expectations when the Leafs drafted Matthews?

He was viewed as an elite prospect at #1 overall, but I don't recall him being hyped as much as a McDavid, Tavares, or even Bedard. I'm not sure what everyone else's expectations were when we drafted him, but if I re-call correctly, for me, I saw him as an 80–90 point, #1 center. I didn’t view him as a 100-point type of player that he ended up becoming. He has definitely met my expectations. And even in this "down year" his points per 82 gp was 95.

Was he not regarded as the best american prospect ever or am I misremembering?

I remember a lot of the anti-Leafs crowd severely downplaying him after the Leafs won the lottery, but there was no doubt mega hype behind him.

 

[Leafsfan74]

When Nylander is at his best he reminds me of a Forsberg or Jagr. He isn't as physical as either, certainly not like Forsberg was, however, the puck is "heavy" on his stick. He can seemingly at will drive and players can't get the puck from him.

I know it was an empty net goal and all players want a freebie, but when Nylander fought off the Sens player (drawing a penalty in the process) and willed himself to score, it was basically "I have the series in my sight right now and no one is going to stop me from ending this".

This is why fans see so much in him but feel underwhelmed at times. Man, if he decided on each play to be as ferocious as he was to separate himself on that empty net goal, this guy would be a nightmare for goalies and defensemen every time he touched the puck.

He is that talented. Maybe more offensively talented than all but a handful of players in the league. Give him some of Knies fearlessness and this guy would be a force to reckon with.

 

[LeafEgo]

When Nylander is at his best he reminds me of a Forsberg or Jagr. He isn't as physical as either, certainly not like Forsberg was, however, the puck is "heavy" on his stick. He can seemingly at will drive and players can't get the puck from him.

I know it was an empty net goal and all players want a freebie, but when Nylander fought off the Sens player (drawing a penalty in the process) and willed himself to score, it was basically "I have the series in my sight right now and no one is going to stop me from ending this".

This is why fans see so much in him but feel underwhelmed at times. Man, if he decided on each play to be as ferocious as he was to separate himself on that empty net goal, this guy would be a nightmare for goalies and defensemen every time he touched the puck.

He is that talented. Maybe more offensively talented than all but a handful of players in the league. Give him some of Knies fearlessness and this guy would be a force to reckon with.

Jagr may have been my favorite player to watch. He's a different tier, but there are similarities, I've thought the same thing.

 

[authentic]

Was he not regarded as the best american prospect ever or am I misremembering?

I remember a lot of the anti-Leafs crowd severely downplaying him after the Leafs won the lottery, but there was no doubt mega hype behind him.

He was. People are misremembering, by the time Tavares draft year ended Matthews was seen as a better prospect than that.

 

[authentic]

Jagr may have been my favorite player to watch. He's a different tier, but there are similarities, I've thought the same thing.

Probably never been a player that owned the puck so much as Jagr did. Willie certainly has that type of quality when he’s on his game.

 

[DarkKnight]

Love that first shot, snipe!

 

[ACC1224]

Love that first shot, snipe!

Need more of that in round two.

 

[sunstersun]

Need more of that in round two.

Especially with Matthew's broken shot.

Nylander has to shoulder the goal scoring load. We're quite fortunate we got so much depth and D scoring in round 1.

 

[crump]

Need more of that in round two.

Nice snipe. I like looking at the crowd in the background, the only Sens fan that knew what was going to happen was “Clown4BradyGurl#7”

 

[ACC1224]

Nice snipe. I like looking at the crowd in the background, the only Sens fan that knew what was going to happen was “Clown4BradyGurl#7”View attachment 1028696

Resemblance is uncanny. Could that be his sister?

 

[pcruz]

For the money? For the provision in playoffs?

lol, wait…You think that’s funny?

It's not funny.
It's ridiculous and shows a lack of basic understanding of the sport.

Pretty on-point.


Matthews scored 69 goals and finished 3rd in Selke voting 10 months ago, and despite always having the #1 shut down team against him in the playoffs, has more points and goals in the post season than Nylander.

One can appreciate all the great things Willy brings to the table without looking like an idiot and elevating him above clearly and unambiguously better players.

 

[therealkoho]

As of right now, I'm actually a little in awe of Will. Do you remember how he was absolutely crushed by Kleven on the right half wall. I replayed that moment over 4 or 5 times, and what I noticed is Will looking up at him as he went shoulders first into the boards. I hate those hits as it's usually one you feel even the next day.

What the real point is though, is how Will gathered himself off the ice, located Kleven with the puck heading in the opposite direction around the net. Will showing lots of flash and dash went after Klevin cross ice and crashed all 6'5" and 225lbs of him into the boards and ended up on top. I don't think Will hurt him, but he did surprise him. I'm hoping this gives Will the confidence to do this in future, it's a good arrow to have in the quiver and maybe a nice one to surprise a guy like Forsling, Boqvist, Kulikov or even Eckblad with, you never know they might just start chasing Will and getting them off their game.

 

[notDatsyuk]

Love that first shot, snipe!

That is a great shot. Actually, both are.

 

[notDatsyuk]

It's not funny.
It's ridiculous and shows a lack of basic understanding of the sport.

Pretty on-point.


Matthews scored 69 goals and finished 3rd in Selke voting 10 months ago, and despite always having the #1 shut down team against him in the playoffs, has more points and goals in the post season than Nylander.

One can appreciate all the great things Willy brings to the table without looking like an idiot and elevating him above clearly and unambiguously better players.

You have to include as far back as the 2016-17 season for Matty to have more playoff goals. Relevance?

 

[ULF_55]

Resemblance is uncanny. Could that be his sister?

She has bigger shoulders ...

 

[ULF_55]

It's not funny.
It's ridiculous and shows a lack of basic understanding of the sport.

Pretty on-point.


Matthews scored 69 goals and finished 3rd in Selke voting 10 months ago, and despite always having the #1 shut down team against him in the playoffs, has more points and goals in the post season than Nylander.

One can appreciate all the great things Willy brings to the table without looking like an idiot and elevating him above clearly and unambiguously better players.

I do think the "always having the #1 against him" scenario needs to be questioned.

At home the coach determines who he goes out against.
On icings, by the other team, the coach determines who he goes out against.

I agree when the opposition coach has the option he'll match but enough with the "always" fantasy defense.

 

[Stephen]

Let’s also not gloss over the fact that he scored 69 goals, 60 goals in 73 games, and had a 50 game stretch where he scored 51 goals, all as an above average defensive center… That was never expected of anyone as far as I’ve heard…

That was an incredible stretch of goal scoring from Auston Matthews and hopefully we haven't seen the last of it. I think that run of goal scoring was completely unexpected though.

On draft day he was billed as an Anze Kopitar, Jonathan Toews plus type center who could do everything everything for a franchise, but not match the flash of a McDavid or Eichel. As the years go by, I don't think Matthews has always been consistently that solid as that as a center, but kind of overwhelmingly good as a sniper with a chameleon-like change in playstyle. You're never sure what you'll get.

 

[ITM]

It's not funny.
It's ridiculous and shows a lack of basic understanding of the sport.

Pretty on-point.


Matthews scored 69 goals and finished 3rd in Selke voting 10 months ago, and despite always having the #1 shut down team against him in the playoffs, has more points and goals in the post season than Nylander.

One can appreciate all the great things Willy brings to the table without looking like an idiot and elevating him above clearly and unambiguously better players.

Fair enough…

For charity’s sake, no one would expect you to know that I’ve typically qualified my evaluation over the last five years.

So before continuing in the response, a couple of questions - now remember, my assessment takes the playoffs and salaries into consideration:

(1) How many playoffs goals/points does Matthews have in the last five years?
(2) How many playoffs goals/ points does Nylander have in the last five years?

Thanks in advance for the specific answers to the specific two questions asked above.

 

[authentic]

It's not funny.
It's ridiculous and shows a lack of basic understanding of the sport.

Pretty on-point.


Matthews scored 69 goals and finished 3rd in Selke voting 10 months ago, and despite always having the #1 shut down team against him in the playoffs, has more points and goals in the post season than Nylander.

One can appreciate all the great things Willy brings to the table without looking like an idiot and elevating him above clearly and unambiguously better players.

Regardless of who has more goals watching these two on a shift to shift basis in the playoffs it’s clear who’s been better. People bring up the last 5 years well that’s Matthews easy as he’s become a premier two-way center. Willy is great with the puck on his stick but he’s just plain bad defensively most nights.

 

[authentic]

That was an incredible stretch of goal scoring from Auston Matthews and hopefully we haven't seen the last of it. I think that run of goal scoring was completely unexpected though.

On draft day he was billed as an Anze Kopitar, Jonathan Toews plus type center who could do everything everything for a franchise, but not match the flash of a McDavid or Eichel. As the years go by, I don't think Matthews has always been consistently that solid as that as a center, but kind of overwhelmingly good as a sniper with a chameleon-like change in playstyle. You're never sure what you'll get.

Exactly, no one in a million years expected that, especially for a two-way center it’s unheard of