William Nylander

[IPS]

Of the five, Nylander is probably the one who is most defendable.

But seriously, do we have to? How do we put lipstick on a pig of zero points in the last four games? How do we dress up that the only reason for excusing the dogshit is that the other guys were more dogshit? It's irrelevant how bad the others were!

Willy would accept a trade out of town if we blew it up. He did his best and he never spat on the fans or his teammates. I'd clap for his tribute video. But the real benefit of trading him is that moving on from him would be 5 out of 5 gone. A completely clean slate. None of the stench lingering. Nobody on the bench in game 6 and 7 next year looking down the line at our "stars" and wondering if they came to play tonight.

There's going to be no Willy trade much to the dismay of some people.

A lot of attention on how bad Nylander was those last 4 games and you see pretty well none levied at Tavares. Even an injured Matthews is a competent center who can move the puck up ice and play a 200ft game and not fall behind the play. And Matthew Knies was a true bulldozer this posteason. Willy has none of these things to work with.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Berube or Leafs management should put a stop to a shirtless Nylander post game. He comes across as an arrogant, i dont give a bleep type of guy, acts like the fans and worship got to his head. He has some toxic issues, floating around the others teams blue line looking for a breakaway, flying the zone, intimidated vs the Panthers. 11.5 million and Ill show up when i want. Berube even said, Nylander doesnt want me to speak to him aka dont tell him what he does wrong.

Berube said it, and was smiling when he said it. It's pretty obvious he loves the guy.

And who's defending them? Nobody. Maybe try the same with this 100 feet of desire.

Most people look at the big picture, the playoffs as a whole when handing out grades. You on the other hand don't like Nylander (maybe just because you love Marner and you hate it when anyone makes him look bad) so you ignore the big picture, and focus in on only 4 games. You're not even trying to be objective which is why it's hard to respect your takes.

Nylander was our best forward in these playoffs, period. I know you hate to see it, but it is what it is.

 

[IPS]

Berube said it, and was smiling when he said it. It's pretty obvious he loves the guy.

Most people look at the big picture, the playoffs as a whole when handing out grades. You on the other hand don't like Nylander (maybe just because you love Marner and you hate it when anyone makes him look bad) so you ignore the big picture, and focus in on only 4 games. You're not even trying to be objective which is why it's hard to respect your takes.

Nylander was our best forward in these playoffs, period. I know you hate to see it, but it is what it is.

It's driving them absolutely insane from the looks of it.

 

[LeafGrief]

There's going to be no Willy trade much to the dismay of some people.

A lot of attention on how bad Nylander was those last 4 games and you see pretty well none levied at Tavares. Even an injured Matthews is a competent center who can move the puck up ice and play a 200ft game and not fall behind the play. And Matthew Knies was a true bulldozer this posteason. Willy has none of these things to work with.

My man, there is absolutely zero way I am going to buy the argument that nobody is criticizing Tavares. I just wrote a post about how we need to go 5 for 5 in cleaning house. The 5th guy ain't Nicky Robertson, that's for dang sure.

The odds of the Leafs trading Nylander and fully cleaning house this summer has got to be 5% or less. Which is too bad, because it's time to move on from this core and every one of the five who are still here next year is a continuation of the legacy of failure. I wish the org would have the balls the players don't and just cut bait.

 

[LeafGrief]

Berube said it, and was smiling when he said it. It's pretty obvious he loves the guy.

Most people look at the big picture, the playoffs as a whole when handing out grades. You on the other hand don't like Nylander (maybe just because you love Marner and you hate it when anyone makes him look bad) so you ignore the big picture, and focus in on only 4 games. You're not even trying to be objective which is why it's hard to respect your takes.

Nylander was our best forward in these playoffs, period. I know you hate to see it, but it is what it is.

He was. No doubt about it.

But for real, how can we (because I was there too) make posts in Marner threads all year about the importance of the big games and screw the Game 1-4 production, and then come into the Nylander thread and ask why people are focusing on 4 games?

Willy was our best forward for 9 games, then as garbage as the rest of the goofs as we completed our annual humiliation ritual. Willy has enough of a history of performance that he's earned some leniency, but if we are passing the execution sentence on Marner for his failure in the big moments, then Willy must be on notice after what we just saw.

My two cents is that we can throw this baby out with the bath water, because a complete team reset is far more important than giving this guy more rope. We'll get good value in Nylander trade, we're not giving him away for free and he doesn't have a reputation as a choker. Take the opportunity to fully turn the page.

 

[BlueForever75]

Remember the words "too many passengers". Nylander was the driver of the that bus.

When he is on, he is on. But if he doesnt get going early he is a passenger of all passengers. He doesnt defend, he doesnt hit, and watches/floats all game looking for that breakaway. We cannot have players, especially our highest paid players play as such.

Do not get me wrong, I love Willy. But damn it was frustrating watching him play games 4, 5, 6, and 7 against Florida. Did nothing and floated the entire last 4 games.

Remember those words. He was the key offender.

 

[Gary Nylund]

My man, there is absolutely zero way I am going to buy the argument that nobody is criticizing Tavares. I just wrote a post about how we need to go 5 for 5 in cleaning house. The 5th guy ain't Nicky Robertson, that's for dang sure.

The odds of the Leafs trading Nylander and fully cleaning house this summer has got to be 5% or less. Which is too bad, because it's time to move on from this core and every one of the five who are still here next year is a continuation of the legacy of failure. I wish the org would have the balls the players don't and just cut bait.

The thing is, they all have NMC's if I'm not mistaken, and Nylander seems like he really wants to win in Toronto more so than any of the others so the only way he'd even consider agreeing to waive, is if all the others are gone first, and it's obvious that we're tanking. Not sure Rielly would agree either.

Anyhow, I don't see them doing anything much. Marner will probably leave, the rest of the key players will stay and they'll take another run at it next season.

 

[Gary Nylund]

He was. No doubt about it.

But for real, how can we (because I was there too) make posts in Marner threads all year about the importance of the big games and screw the Game 1-4 production, and then come into the Nylander thread and ask why people are focusing on 4 games?

Willy was our best forward for 9 games, then as garbage as the rest of the goofs as we completed our annual humiliation ritual. Willy has enough of a history of performance that he's earned some leniency, but if we are passing the execution sentence on Marner for his failure in the big moments, then Willy must be on notice after what we just saw.

My two cents is that we can throw this baby out with the bath water, because a complete team reset is far more important than giving this guy more rope. We'll get good value in Nylander trade, we're not giving him away for free and he doesn't have a reputation as a choker. Take the opportunity to fully turn the page.

You can focus on them if you like, but not to the point of ignoring the rest. Nylander was the best forward, but of course he gets docked points because of those 4 games. If not for his heroics, the series is probably over in 5 games and it's a shame that when he stopped carrying the team, there was nobody to pick up the slack.

I'm open to trading anyone depending on the return. But Nylander seems to truly value playing here, he's also the one guy who's mental makeup is suited to the pressure cooker that this city is so he'd be the last guy I'd want to see go. If they all agree to waive the NMC's then fine, I don't see it happening though. They'll run it back next season, probably without Marner and I'd be surprised if that wasn't the plan. It's a reasonable plan too IMO, if there's a chance that Matthews is healthy next spring. Marner's not that big a loss so a healthy Matthews and a healthy Stolarz, Knies taking another step forward, maybe add Cowan to the lineup plus whatever we do with Marner's cap space and we're a better playoff team already.

 

[LeafGrief]

The thing is, they all have NMC's if I'm not mistaken, and Nylander seems like he really wants to win in Toronto more so than any of the others so the only way he'd even consider agreeing to waive, is if all the others are gone first, and it's obvious that we're tanking. Not sure Rielly would agree either.

Anyhow, I don't see them doing anything much. Marner will probably leave, the rest of the key players will stay and they'll take another run at it next season.

Does he? I wholly believe that he wants to win. I believe that he wants to show up and do his part. But what about him screams that he really, really desperately wants to do it here (and nowhere else)? Tavares wants it more, Marner probably wanted it more (and had no idea how to do it). Nylander is the son of a journeyman NHL'er, and every coach talks about how he's a pro's pro. Pros understand that teams move on, and sometimes it just doesn't work out. There are probably places he doesn't want to play, but I don't think he's a Leaf for life. Rielly is the only one who I think we really have to worry about enforcing his NMC. If the team approaches Nylander and asks if we can trade him, I think he'd give a list without too much trouble.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Remember the words "too many passengers". Nylander was the driver of the that bus.

When he is on, he is on. But if he doesnt get going early he is a passenger of all passengers. He doesnt defend, he doesnt hit, and watches/floats all game looking for that breakaway. We cannot have players, especially our highest paid players play as such.

Do not get me wrong, I love Willy. But damn it was frustrating watching him play games 4, 5, 6, and 7 against Florida. Did nothing and floated the entire last 4 games.

Remember those words. He was the key offender.

A true captain says what needs to be said in the dressing room or wherever, but face to face behind closed doors. It's a shame that instead of a captain worthy of the title, we have Matthews.

And you can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Nylander, Matthews and Marner all got just 1 point in the last 4 games so if Nylander was "driving that bus", then M&M were in the front seats munching on popcorn while opportunity was passing them by yet again.

 

[BlueForever75]

You can focus on them if you like, but not to the point of ignoring the rest. Nylander was the best forward, but of course he gets docked points because of those 4 games. If not for his heroics, the series is probably over in 5 games and it's a shame that when he stopped carrying the team, there was nobody to pick up the slack.

I'm open to trading anyone depending on the return. But Nylander seems to truly value playing here, he's also the one guy who's mental makeup is suited to the pressure cooker that this city is so he'd be the last guy I'd want to see go. If they all agree to waive the NMC's then fine, I don't see it happening though. They'll run it back next season, probably without Marner and I'd be surprised if that wasn't the plan. It's a reasonable plan too IMO, if there's a chance that Matthews is healthy next spring. Marner's not that big a loss so a healthy Matthews and a healthy Stolarz, Knies taking another step forward, maybe add Cowan to the lineup plus whatever we do with Marner's cap space and we're a better playoff team already.

Can we turn Marner and Reilly into Ekblad and Bennett?

If that were to happen I would run it back with some other tweaks to bottom six and potentially another top 6 winger.

Having Matthews, Bennett, Tavares, Laughton down the middle would be huge. Ekblad for Reilly is a high upgrade.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Does he? I wholly believe that he wants to win. I believe that he wants to show up and do his part. But what about him screams that he really, really desperately wants to do it here (and nowhere else)? Tavares wants it more, Marner probably wanted it more (and had no idea how to do it). Nylander is the son of a journeyman NHL'er, and every coach talks about how he's a pro's pro. Pros understand that teams move on, and sometimes it just doesn't work out. There are probably places he doesn't want to play, but I don't think he's a Leaf for life. Rielly is the only one who I think we really have to worry about enforcing his NMC. If the team approaches Nylander and asks if we can trade him, I think he'd give a list without too much trouble.

No way to know for sure of course we're just speculating here. But I remember when Dubas had to promise not to trade him before he signed. I also remember the recent interview when he said Toronto is "the only place to win". I could be wrong, but to me those words to felt like they had the ring of truth.

I don't give much weight to who his father is, Willie seems to be his own man. If we're talking about a father's influence then there's is someone on our team where that's a big issue, but it's not Nylander.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Can we turn Marner and Reilly into Ekblad and Bennett?

If that were to happen I would run it back with some other tweaks to bottom six and potentially another top 6 winger.

Having Matthews, Bennett, Tavares, Laughton down the middle would be huge. Ekblad for Reilly is a high upgrade.

I don't see it happening, but I would love it!

 

[LeafGrief]

No way to know for sure of course we're just speculating here. But I remember when Dubas had to promise not to trade him before he signed. I also remember the recent interview when he said Toronto is "the only place to win". I could be wrong, but to me those words to felt like they had the ring of truth.

I don't give much weight to who his father is, Willie seems to be his own man. If we're talking about a father's influence then there's is someone on our team where that's a big issue, but it's not Nylander.

I remember that Dubas had to promise not to trade him, but that was a long, long time ago. This is of course the hockey mecca, this is where the win would mean schools get named after you and you can run for office when you retire. But Nylander the mature man that we've seen emerge the last few years is the ultimate professional. He's not more willing to go to another team because his dad moved around a bunch, I think it's that he's always known that hockey teams will sometimes shake things up.

Of all our guys, he's the one who understands that this is business, but also it's just hockey, and he probably doesn't have to think too hard to imagine his life somewhere else.

 

[The Shadow]

Also I don’t want to hear Nylander talk about how much he wants to win. It’s bs

His actions speak for themselves

In game 7 goals 2 and 3 if he had some defensive grit and awareness those goals don’t happen

 

[GoonieFace]

I think people are still underestimating how dramatically difficult it is dragging along a corpse who plays at 20% of the speed everyone else does (which gets amplified in the playoffs) and hands of stone Holmberg who can't even finish a slice of pizza.

Being the leading scorer in the playoffs for your team while doing this is actually incredibly impressive.

Probably had the best scoring chance in game 7 as well .

He gave the Marner fan club what they want, a matchup away from the top line, and what did M and M do? Absolutely nothing.

Why did Bérubé refuse to put Marner with a couple of plugs all year?

 

[BlueForever75]

A true captain says what needs to be said in the dressing room or wherever, but face to face behind closed doors. It's a shame that instead of a captain worthy of the title, we have Matthews.

And you can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Nylander, Matthews and Marner all got just 1 point in the last 4 games so if Nylander was "driving that bus", then M&M were in the front seats munching on popcorn while opportunity was passing them by yet again.

Did we watch the same game 5, 6 and 7 against Florida. Willy floated the entire game.

I was pulling my hair out watching him stand still in the defensive zone while Florida pressured all kinds. The guy was a statue. Barely stick checked and skated in circles. Poor Tavares and McMann/Patches were left to defend like it was a PP everytime that line was on the ice.

Call a spade a spade, when Nylander was going he was going. But if he wasnt as he was in the last 3 games of series. He did nothing not even defend. At least Matthews and Marner played a 200 ft game!!! Defended or attempted to. PKed when they needed to. Where the hell was Nylander???? Floating at center looking for a break away pass and if not, circling between the dots in defensive zone taking no bodies and watching. Horrible.

 

[ToneDog]

Also I don’t want to hear Nylander talk about how much he wants to win. It’s bs

His actions speak for themselves

In game 7 goals 2 and 3 if he had some defensive grit and awareness those goals don’t happen

Trade him while his value is at it's highest.

 

[The Shadow]

Trade him while his value is at it's highest.

He either agrees to change how he plays and focuses on buying into that new mindset or he has to be moved. Everyone on a team needs to buy in or it won’t work

 

[GoonieFace]

Did we watch the same game 5, 6 and 7 against Florida. Willy floated the entire game.

I was pulling my hair out watching him stand still in the defensive zone while Florida pressured all kinds. The guy was a statue. Barely stick checked and skated in circles. Poor Tavares and McMann/Patches were left to defend like it was a PP everytime that line was on the ice.

Call a spade a spade, when Nylander was going he was going. But if he wasnt as he was in the last 3 games of series. He did nothing not even defend. At least Matthews and Marner played a 200 ft game!!! Defended or attempted to. PKed when they needed to. Where the hell was Nylander???? Floating at center looking for a break away pass and if not, circling between the dots in defensive zone taking no bodies and watching. Horrible.

W
He may never be a great defender, but who cares. I saw Marner floating around the d zone plenty of times, the only difference is Marner is back in the D zone before the defencemen.

All the wingers collapse towards the net, that’s the system they play. They don’t go chasing the point men around. But yes, the effort seemed to be lacking at times. But he’s not the only one.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Did we watch the same game 5, 6 and 7 against Florida. Willy floated the entire game.

I was pulling my hair out watching him stand still in the defensive zone while Florida pressured all kinds. The guy was a statue. Barely stick checked and skated in circles. Poor Tavares and McMann/Patches were left to defend like it was a PP everytime that line was on the ice.

Call a spade a spade, when Nylander was going he was going. But if he wasnt as he was in the last 3 games of series. He did nothing not even defend. At least Matthews and Marner played a 200 ft game!!! Defended or attempted to. PKed when they needed to. Where the hell was Nylander???? Floating at center looking for a break away pass and if not, circling between the dots in defensive zone taking no bodies and watching. Horrible.

A huge exaggeration. Maybe you missed it but he created some good scoring chances.

 

[arso40]

You can focus on them if you like, but not to the point of ignoring the rest. Nylander was the best forward, but of course he gets docked points because of those 4 games. If not for his heroics, the series is probably over in 5 games and it's a shame that when he stopped carrying the team, there was nobody to pick up the slack.

I'm open to trading anyone depending on the return. But Nylander seems to truly value playing here, he's also the one guy who's mental makeup is suited to the pressure cooker that this city is so he'd be the last guy I'd want to see go. If they all agree to waive the NMC's then fine, I don't see it happening though. They'll run it back next season, probably without Marner and I'd be surprised if that wasn't the plan. It's a reasonable plan too IMO, if there's a chance that Matthews is healthy next spring. Marner's not that big a loss so a healthy Matthews and a healthy Stolarz, Knies taking another step forward, maybe add Cowan to the lineup plus whatever we do with Marner's cap space and we're a better playoff team already.

He needs to be better and he will be he adds layers to his game every year but he definitely needs to get better.

 

[ToneDog]

He either agrees to change how he plays and focuses on buying into that new mindset or he has to be moved. Everyone on a team needs to buy in or it won’t work

These 3 assholes have been coddled for almost a decade. I do not think they can change. The time to trade one or all of them is now. They are all self entitled selfish pricks who play for the name on the back of their jerseys.

 

[Gary Nylund]

He needs to be better and he will be he adds layers to his game every year but he definitely needs to get better.

He's frustrating at times for sure.

 

[sunstersun]

These 3 assholes have been coddled for almost a decade. I do not think they can change. The time to trade one or all of them is now. They are all self entitled selfish pricks who play for the name on the back of their jerseys.

I at least want to see Nylander play 1 year in Toronto with a good winger and not Tavares as centre.