William Nylander

[arso40]

I think it's rather ridiculous that this player gets a free pass from the fanbase while Marner gets run out of town. This guy actually sat out and missed games over his contract dispute, gets paid more than Marner, vanishes just like everyone else, and REFUSES to play defense. Somehow people believe this guy shows up in the playoffs, and yet in game 7, down 1-0 and with a long change in the 2nd period, glides from below the goal line to the bench without taking a SINGLE STRIDE like it's a f***ing preseason game. Then after it's all over he has the stones to say it was just a "shitty game".

I’m only commenting against the showing up yoi realize he won us game 6 and game 1 and 2 against Florida right ? boy the memory is short huh?

 

[ruaware41]

Karlsson had 9g this year and he is 32. Maybe if they will take Rielly for him. I like Ehlers. I think he could hit a new level in TO.

In his prime Ehlers was an absolute dynamite skater. Better than Nylander in that. Seems both of them have lost a step or were dealing with a minor injury. Not sure if he's the right fit/contract but I liked his game too

 

[KAWAIlllI]

I think it's rather ridiculous that this player gets a free pass from the fanbase while Marner gets run out of town. This guy actually sat out and missed games over his contract dispute, gets paid more than Marner, vanishes just like everyone else, and REFUSES to play defense. Somehow people believe this guy shows up in the playoffs, and yet in game 7, down 1-0 and with a long change in the 2nd period, glides from below the goal line to the bench without taking a SINGLE STRIDE like it's a f***ing preseason game. Then after it's all over he has the stones to say it was just a "shitty game".

Oh. Kypreos?

 

[ITM]

Keep in mind he rides the subway in a puffy jacket. Can you say that about the rest?

You know…For thumbing up comments made about me about making observations about similar information made publicly available (i.e golf after losing in the playoffs) your comment above is all kinds of pot calling the kettle black.

Yep, he’ll no longer be able to hide as the third wheel. Hopefully he’s up to the task.

And didn’t you say this recently? And I asked something to the effect: Who precisely is he hiding behind while leading the team in scoring in playoffs again from out front?

 

[Menzinger]

I think it's rather ridiculous that this player gets a free pass from the fanbase while Marner gets run out of town. This guy actually sat out and missed games over his contract dispute, gets paid more than Marner, vanishes just like everyone else, and REFUSES to play defense. Somehow people believe this guy shows up in the playoffs, and yet in game 7, down 1-0 and with a long change in the 2nd period, glides from below the goal line to the bench without taking a SINGLE STRIDE like it's a f***ing preseason game. Then after it's all over he has the stones to say it was just a "shitty game".

I mean, it's not really. He played better for most of the playoffs and committed his future to the team.

Marner made his choices. He refused to extend, blocked a trade and played poorly in the postseason

Folks just react to what they see in front of them

 

[Confucius]

William will be unflappable. He just has that personality, “Don’t worry be Happy” lol. Unlike some who seem high strung and just get the yips. lol!

 

[DarkKnight]

I think it's rather ridiculous that this player gets a free pass from the fanbase while Marner gets run out of town. This guy actually sat out and missed games over his contract dispute, gets paid more than Marner, vanishes just like everyone else, and REFUSES to play defense. Somehow people believe this guy shows up in the playoffs, and yet in game 7, down 1-0 and with a long change in the 2nd period, glides from below the goal line to the bench without taking a SINGLE STRIDE like it's a f***ing preseason game. Then after it's all over he has the stones to say it was just a "shitty game".

He's a very flawed player, all world talent, 100 foot desire, that disappears for stretches. He was embarrassing down the stretch against Florida, his linemates don't dictate effort and desire. Absolutely terrifying in our zone, you'll never win with that, unless you third line him like Phil in Pitt, which is absurd here.

Back to the fawning and insecure laugh emojis.

 

[IPS]

I think it's rather ridiculous that this player gets a free pass from the fanbase while Marner gets run out of town. This guy actually sat out and missed games over his contract dispute, gets paid more than Marner, vanishes just like everyone else, and REFUSES to play defense. Somehow people believe this guy shows up in the playoffs, and yet in game 7, down 1-0 and with a long change in the 2nd period, glides from below the goal line to the bench without taking a SINGLE STRIDE like it's a f***ing preseason game. Then after it's all over he has the stones to say it was just a "shitty game".

From my viewings he was the superior player to Marner for almost all of the playoffs. But he sure gave a lot of ammo for criticism with those showings in the last 4 games against Florida. If he didn't step up and win game 6 in Ottawa for us I'm not sure who else would have.

He would have been on pace for a great playoffs if he didn't shit the bed in the later half of the series vs Florida.

 

[notDatsyuk]

I think it's rather ridiculous that this player gets a free pass from the fanbase while Marner gets run out of town. This guy actually sat out and missed games over his contract dispute, gets paid more than Marner, vanishes just like everyone else, and REFUSES to play defense. Somehow people believe this guy shows up in the playoffs, and yet in game 7, down 1-0 and with a long change in the 2nd period, glides from below the goal line to the bench without taking a SINGLE STRIDE like it's a f***ing preseason game. Then after it's all over he has the stones to say it was just a "shitty game".

Considering that the last dozen or so pages here have been virtually a nonstop whinefest, I would say even your first sentence is inaccurate (to be polite).

 

[Gabriel426]

Yep, he’ll no longer be able to hide as the third wheel. Hopefully he’s up to the task.

He did led the Leafs with scoring and points this past playoffs. Led the Leafs in Goals(2nd in the League). Pretty sure he just proved last season that he is more than the 3rd wheel. At least, he is the tallest of the Hobbits for now.

 

[NVious]

William will be unflappable. He just has that personality, “Don’t worry be Happy” lol. Unlike some who seem high strung and just get the yips. lol!

He has had 9 years, he is just as much of a problem as Auston and Mitch, whereas their offense gets worse into the playoffs, they still play well in the defensive zone and give effort.

The same cannot be said for Willy, he doesn't get worse offensively come playoff time, but man does he play abysmally in his own zone and when it comes to back checking at times.

Again he had 9 years, he has the talent and he gets secondary matchups to feast on. He really is like the rest of them, always leaves you wanting more.

He had the total chance this year, could've single handedly won the series vs Florida and shown he's the man, totally flopped 0 goals/0 assists final 4 games.

 

[sunstersun]

From my viewings he was the superior player to Marner for almost all of the playoffs. But he sure gave a lot of ammo for criticism with those showings in the last 4 games against Florida. If he didn't step up and win game 6 in Ottawa for us I'm not sure who else would have.

He would have been on pace for a great playoffs if he didn't shit the bed in the later half of the series vs Florida.

I blame a lot on Berube. Shift Domi, Mcmann up or something. Swap Mitch and Nylander for a couple of shifts.

Instead Tavares vs Barkov dedge. Then the game 5 shit show.

 

[ACC1224]

He did led the Leafs with scoring and points this past playoffs. Led the Leafs in Goals(2nd in the League). Pretty sure he just proved last season that he is more than the 3rd wheel. At least, he is the tallest of the Hobbits for now.

You’d expect more than a point per game for a one way player making the dollars he does. Great goal scorer no doubt though.
Good news though if Marner does leave he will jump up a spot on the depth chart

 

[DarkKnight]

Another former player sees the effort, interesting take. What does he know...

 

[Gabriel426]

You’d expect more than a point per game for a one way player making the dollars he does. Great goal scorer no doubt though.
Good news though if Marner does leave he will jump up a spot on the depth chart

Well he did lead the team in goals scored in regular season(2nd in the league) and led the team in goals and points in playoffs.
I would say he met the expectations.

 

[OpenNetSniper]

Posted this on another thread. Berube on a podcast talks about Leafs...a good listen.

I liked what he said about Nylander. around the 46:00 min mark.

 

[ACC1224]

Well he did lead the team in goals scored in regular season(2nd in the league) and led the team in goals and points in playoffs.
I would say he met the expectations.

Expectations should be greater for the second highest paid player but for some reason the bar is always set lower for Nylander

 

[pcruz]

Well he did lead the team in goals scored in regular season(2nd in the league) and led the team in goals and points in playoffs.
I would say he met the expectations.

There is a major flaw with this train of thought when it comes to the playoffs.


If you win 16 games with a combined score of 16-0, and your best players literally do nothing but nullify the other team's best players, then they have done their job for you.


The playoffs are about the end game result - full stop.

If a player scores 7 goals in a 7 game series and the team loses in the first round, then guess what - the team is out. Ask Mackinnon how he's enjoying these playoffs after demolishing the scoring over that first round.



If your best offensive player is also directly responsible for the same number of goals against as he is goals for, he has done nothing for your team other than burn time on the clock.

Willy has the tools and ability to completely dominate games offensively. And in these playoffs he did just that a few times.
He has the ability and the tools to be a very strong player in the physical department. He has spent his entire career purposely avoiding that aspect of the game.
He has the ability and the tools to be a good defensive player. He shows no interest in that aspect of the game.


So, after recording 15 points in 13 games, and being directly responsible for multiple goals against - including the back-breaking OT goal that ended up costing the Leafs the 2nd round series and likely a trip to the Stanley Cup, the overall contribution was barely a positive one.

For the 2nd highest player on the team, that's straight unacceptable. Especially the 2nd highest paid player on the team who plays completely sheltered minutes away from the other teams' best defensive players.

 

[Gabriel426]

Expectations should be greater for the second highest paid player but for some reason the bar is always set lower for Nylander

He LED the team in GOALS and is 2nd in the League. He then LED the team in GOALS and POINTS in the playoffs. He also scored the most goals among all players making 10mil plus. Did you expect the second highest paid player on the team and 7th in the league to win Hart, Art Ross, and Conn Symthe?
I would really like to read your answer.

 

[ACC1224]

He LED the team in GOALS and is 2nd in the League. He then LED the team in GOALS and POINTS in the playoffs. He also scored the most goals among all players making 10mil plus. Did you expect the second highest paid player on the team and 7th in the league to win Hart, Art Ross, and Conn Symthe?
I would really like to read your answer.

Produce more than a point a game and not be second in scoring by 20 points playing a one way game.
I think I said that earlier.

It’s fine if you have lower expectations for him, not everyone does.

 

[Gabriel426]

There is a major flaw with this train of thought when it comes to the playoffs.


If you win 16 games with a combined score of 16-0, and your best players literally do nothing but nullify the other team's best players, then they have done their job for you.


The playoffs are about the end game result - full stop.

If a player scores 7 goals in a 7 game series and the team loses in the first round, then guess what - the team is out. Ask Mackinnon how he's enjoying these playoffs after demolishing the scoring over that first round.



If your best offensive player is also directly responsible for the same number of goals against as he is goals for, he has done nothing for your team other than burn time on the clock.

Willy has the tools and ability to completely dominate games offensively. And in these playoffs he did just that a few times.
He has the ability and the tools to be a very strong player in the physical department. He has spent his entire career purposely avoiding that aspect of the game.
He has the ability and the tools to be a good defensive player. He shows no interest in that aspect of the game.


So, after recording 15 points in 13 games, and being directly responsible for multiple goals against - including the back-breaking OT goal that ended up costing the Leafs the 2nd round series and likely a trip to the Stanley Cup, the overall contribution was barely a positive one.

For the 2nd highest player on the team, that's straight unacceptable. Especially the 2nd highest paid player on the team who plays completely sheltered minutes away from the other teams' best defensive players.

Well if he didn’t score those goals in Game 6 against the Sens and Game 1 against the Panthers. Do you think the Leafs would had the opportunity to lose 6-1 in Game 7?

I understand your points but you still need to score to win a game. Neutralizing the opposing top line is important but scoring is more important.

We can all look back at Game 3 and imagine if only Leafs score one in OT and we would still be playing….but didn’t we had a PP in OT and we didn’t score, who were the trigger man and QB for our PP? We had plenty of opportunities to win Game 3 but we just couldn’t do it. Additionally, I really believe that the Panthers would had done a reverse sweep against us if we ended up being up 3-0. And we will be the losing team in the GREATEST come back in Hockey History.

You can hate on Willie all you want but to say his playoffs productions led the team in goals and points as being barely positive just showed you are completely bias and just want to believe your own narratives instead of the truth.

 

[Gabriel426]

Produce more than a point a game and not be second in scoring by 20 points playing a one way game.
I think I said that earlier.

It’s fine if you have lower expectations for him, not everyone does.

It’s fine if you have unrealistic expectations for him, not everyone does.

 

[pcruz]

Well if he didn’t score those goals in Game 6 against the Sens and Game 1 against the Panthers. Do you think the Leafs would had the opportunity to lose 6-1 in Game 7?

I understand your points but you still need to score to win a game. Neutralizing the opposing top line is important but scoring is more important.

We can all look back at Game 3 and imagine if only Leafs score one in OT and we would still be playing….but didn’t we had a PP in OT and we didn’t score, who were the trigger man and QB for our PP? We had plenty of opportunities to win Game 3 but we just couldn’t do it. Additionally, I really believe that the Panthers would had done a reverse sweep against us if we ended up being up 3-0. And we will be the losing team in the GREATEST come back in Hockey History.

You can hate on Willie all you want but to say his playoffs productions led the team in goals and points as being barely positive just showed you are completely bias and just want to believe your own narratives instead of the truth.

Hate on Willie



I have stated dozens and dozens of times that when he is engaged and moving his feet, he is a top 15-20 player in the league.

That sure as hell sounds like a hateful comment.




If you watch that clip of the OT goal in game 3, Nylander takes a total of 2 strides, and they are shuffling strides.

That's an $11.5M player quite literally standing still in the middle of the defensive zone not pressuring anyone, not defending anyone, floating uselessly.

He would have been more beneficial to the team had he skated out of the zone to the bench for a change.

 

[Gabriel426]

Hate on Willie



I have stated dozens and dozens of times that when he is engaged and moving his feet, he is a top 15-20 player in the league.

That sure as hell sounds like a hateful comment.




If you watch that clip of the OT goal in game 3, Nylander takes a total of 2 strides, and they are shuffling strides.

That's an $11.5M player quite literally standing still in the middle of the defensive zone not pressuring anyone, not defending anyone, floating uselessly.

He would have been more beneficial to the team had he skated out of the zone to the bench for a change.

Like I said, I believe Willie’s playoffs contribution is more than just barley positive.

No doubt it was a bad play, not defending that. But I really wouldn’t state that’s the goal that lost the Leafs the series. Leafs could still win two of the next 4 games, something they didn’t do, mainly bc the Core 5, Willie included were no shows.

 

[ACC1224]

It’s fine if you have unrealistic expectations for him, not everyone does.

It’s unrealistic to expect a player at his salary to score more than a point a game?
Does that make players scoring more and making less overachievers?