Kapanen or Nylander?

[SeenSchenn2]

Will say this: Hyman 15 goals, Nylander 20 goals. Kapanen should be able to score 20 playing with Matthews for a season. I like Nylander and all, but lets not anoint him the greatest thing ever, as most players paired with Matthews have had success.

While the combination of Matthews and Nylander is absolutely lethal, Willy is more capable of creating scoring chances for himself. Can't say the same of Hyman or Kapanen.

 

[SprDaVE]

Recency bias in this thread is bonkers.

 

[81Leafs50]

 

[HamiltonNHL]

While the combination of Matthews and Nylander is absolutely lethal, Willy is more capable of creating scoring chances for himself. Can't say the same of Hyman or Kapanen.
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team game anyway.

 

[Egghead1999]

Is this really a debate? Willy is the better player hands down. I do think Kappy is a solid top 6 player and an ideal winger for Matthews though. The major difference between the 2 is Kapanen is great in a complimentary role whereas Nylander should be the focal point of any line he plays on. He can drive a line on his own and I've always felt despite some success together he and Matthews cancelled eachother out a little bit.
Factor in team needs and salary though and I'm all for trading Nylander for some D help and signing Kapanen to a more team friendly contract... Which Dubas should do quick before Kapanen puts up 60+ points and its the Nylander situation all over

Actually, Kapanen shall know there is not enough $ (~8 AAV) for him with or without Nylander signed. If I were him, I would be happy to sign a 4~5 AAV for 5 years, to get my rings and to pad my stats. After that, I will move to other team that has cap space (8~9 AAV for 7 yrs).

 

[Boutette]

Karlson was signed for *one year*. One single year. With Kapanen the Leafs are looking at a long term contract. People need to use their brains.

 

[Boutette]

This is perplexing. Nylander all day.

Kapanen has a productive 4 or 5 games with Matthews and people are ready to let go of Nylander. Shiny toy syndrome and recency bias are a funny thing.

FYI, people have been ready to let go of Nylander for years.

 

[Glenn Isildur Healy]

Credit to Kapanen for playing so well but what we should take note in all of this is Matthews' ability to elevate his linemates

 

[Not My Tempo]

Karlson was signed for *one year*. One single year. With Kapanen the Leafs are looking at a long term contract. People need to use their brains.

Why would the Leafs look for a long term contract for Kapanen? There’s way too much uncertainty with him. If he explodes this year you give him a bridge too.

 

[Boutette]

Why would the Leafs look for a long term contract for Kapanen? There’s way too much uncertainty with him. If he explodes this year you give him a bridge too.

If you understand the situation, how the CBA works, and Kapanen's pedigree and his talent, you definitely look for a long term contract for Kapanen. Not 7 or eight years of course, but something like 5.

 

[Not My Tempo]

If you understand the situation, how the CBA works, and Kapanen's pedigree and his talent, you definitely look for a long term contract for Kapanen. Not 7 or eight years of course, but something like 5.

Lol that’s such a condescending response that doesn’t actually give any reason as to why you’d offer a long term deal

 

[Boutette]

Credit to Kapanen for playing so well but what we should take note in all of this is Matthews' ability to elevate his linemates

Firstly, explain what happened to Ennis.

Secondly, Kapanen's first goal last night, however, didn't have a lot to do with Matthews specifically, was it? Kapanen is showing what he can do when he's actually on a line without anchors like Pleckanec, Moore, Komarov etc (where even so he scored at a 15 goal rate playing 4th line minutes with broken down geezers). IE when he is given *time* in the offensive zone that being on a first line allows him. Question is, is Matthews going away? If not, its more than likely that Kapanen will continue to excel, right? We want to keep players like him around, right.

Thirdly, what happened to Ennis? After all, as a former top line player, why wasn't he elevated by Matthews abilities?

 

[Boutette]

Lol that’s such a condescending response that doesn’t actually give any reason as to why you’d offer a long term deal

I explained everything you needed to know to understand why. You could try to educate youself as to why what I said makes sense. Its not hard.

 

[666]

Credit to Kapanen for playing so well but what we should take note in all of this is Matthews' ability to elevate his linemates

Exactly, and this is precisely why Nylander is overrated.

 

[GoonieFace]

Exactly, and this is precisely why Nylander is overrated.

Correct, Hyman scored 15 goals on Matthews wing, so the 20 by Nylander is really not that special.

 

[Glenn Isildur Healy]

Firstly, explain what happened to Ennis.

Secondly, Kapanen's first goal last night, however, didn't have a lot to do with Matthews specifically, was it? Kapanen is showing what he can do when he's actually on a line without anchors like Pleckanec, Moore, Komarov etc (where even so he scored at a 15 goal rate playing 4th line minutes with broken down geezers). IE when he is given *time* in the offensive zone that being on a first line allows him. Question is, is Matthews going away? If not, its more than likely that Kapanen will continue to excel, right? We want to keep players like him around, right.

Thirdly, what happened to Ennis? After all, as a former top line player, why wasn't he elevated by Matthews abilities?

Nobody can turn a fringe NHL player into gold. Not Crosby. Not McDavid. A former top line player who's career high came at age 21 with 49 points? In his last 2 seasons, he's played 124 games and put up 35 points.

Kapanen can be a very good player but you cannot tell me that he's still putting up 8 points in 7 games without playing with a great player like Matthews. Again, Kapanen is playing well but there's no question that playing with Matthews has elevated his production.

 

[Clark4Ever]

Correct, Hyman scored 15 goals on Matthews wing, so the 20 by Nylander is really not that special.

He is a very talented player without question, but certainly not at a level that would substantiate his salary demands.

 

[Clark4Ever]

I think we need to pump the brakes a tad on Kappy, I found today's radio analysis over the top. It's been 5 games, and he's playing with a superstar. I'm loving the coming out party, don't confuse, but it's too much for me at the moment. He ain't Nylander.

He's not Nylander. Nylander is more offensively gifted, but Kapanen is no slouch offensively and is better in all the other facets of the game.

Better offensive player - Nylander

Better all around player - Kapanen

 

[GoonieFace]

He is a very talented player without question, but certainly not at a level that would substantiate his salary demands.

Yep, wouldn't mind him at 6, but anything more than that is an overpay IMO.

 

[DarkKnight]

He's not Nylander. Nylander is more offensively gifted, but Kapanen is no slouch offensively and is better in all the other facets of the game.

Better offensive player - Nylander

Better all around player - Kapanen

I think that’s crazy to say right now to be honest.

 

[GoonieFace]

I think that’s crazy to say right now to be honest.

Right now perhaps, only because Kapanen has never really had a shot at playing with gifted offensive players. He was a former 1st round pick, so its not like he is really surprising anyone. If he continues to play at this level and reaches, say 50 pts, he is more valuable than Nylander due to being a much more well rounded player.

 

[Boutette]

Nobody can turn a fringe NHL player into gold. Not Crosby. Not McDavid. A former top line player who's career high came at age 21 with 49 points? In his last 2 seasons, he's played 124 games and put up 35 points.

Kapanen can be a very good player but you cannot tell me that he's still putting up 8 points in 7 games without playing with a great player like Matthews. Again, Kapanen is playing well but there's no question that playing with Matthews has elevated his production.

True. Playing with Kadri, Kapanen probably has 4-5 points in 7 games, and maybe Kadri and Lindholm have more points instead of Matthews and Marleau. Nylander playing with Kadri probably has 4-5 points in 7 games too providing similar effect. So, now the team has choices, which is good. Maybe they short Willie and long Kapanen.

 

[HockeyGuruPitka]

I'm a very big Kapanen supporter (always have been). He is one of the fastest players in the NHL, hes learning how to play with skill at higher speeds, plays hard along the boards, and kills penalties. His style of play really compliments Matthews and makes the line better in the match up game. I put a lot of the blame of Matthews poor post season on Nylander due to his unwillingness to battle and engage physically. He spent the majority of the time playing perimeter and not driving to the net. His typical play is to drive wide and immediately cut back and survey the ice for any passing options. Kapanen drives down the wing, gets the puck in deep and fights for possession and position. For me, Kapanen is a major cog moving forwards, and his ability to slot anywhere in our lineup will play into our favour long term.

The only way i see Nylander being a long term component of the Leafs is if he develops into a center, and if this is the case hes not going to be playing on Matthews wing. Kapanen is Matthews current and future RWer. Lets get used to it.

NOTE** Only reason why i see Nylander as the odd man out, is because of the inevitable cap restrictions.

 

[jazzeyman]

Kapanen being some kind of beast along the boards is a myth. Yes he gets to pucks that are shot in first, because he is fast, but how often does he actually come up with it. I see him shy away from contact more often than not.

 

[DarkKnight]

Right now perhaps, only because Kapanen has never really had a shot at playing with gifted offensive players. He was a former 1st round pick, so its not like he is really surprising anyone. If he continues to play at this level and reaches, say 50 pts, he is more valuable than Nylander due to being a much more well rounded player.

Your first three words is all I've said.