MacLean wants Nylander to play with Matthews to bust slump

[Leafsfan74]

Weird, it won't allow me to put the video with a direct link, it's on the Sportsnet landing page, scroll a bit down.

Sports News: World and National Sports Headlines, Score Updates, Highlights, Stats & Results - Sportsnet.ca

What say you?

I generally agree with Doug MacLean, I think he's one of the more logical analysts (as analysts go) and I do understand his argument, I can't subscribe to it though.

I don't care if Nylander doesn't score more than 5 goals in a season, the goal should be wins and the Stanley Cup. He made his bed, he has been WELL compensated for taking his position. I don't begrudge him, I don't question the reasons, but, I say, "you don't just get to play with Matthews, you earn it" He didn't do yourself any favours by sitting out.

In time, maybe he will earn the Right to be on his line, but right now, I say no. To ANY player on this team who might venture into this forum, play to win. Put the team first, put your name on the Cup and then we can have discussions about what Babcock should or shouldn't do. Even when I disagree with Babcock, I have to trust him, he's earned it. His faith in this defense for instance, which as a team has certainly improved; is one such example.

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[Bronxxx]

Diasagree. Nylander should not be treated like a prima donna. He has to earn the right to play with Matthews. The way to do that is to work, play a 200 ft game and put up points. Prove he is worth the new contract. He also needs to earn the respect of his teammates as well as Babs.

 

[Jozay]

Nylander should not be treated like a prima donna. He has to earn the right to play with Matthews. The way to do that is to work, play a 200 ft game and put up points. Prove he is worth the new contract. He also needs to earn the respect of his teammates as well as Babs.

Did he not earn that the last 2 years? Lol

 

[Mugzy97]

It’s prerty obvious that their strategy is to ease him in to the lineup. He’ll be on Austin’s wing soon enough. At least I thought it was obvious?

 

[Spirit of 67]

I think, once he's shown he can keep up, he'll go back.
But that would because he would have earned it.

 

[Once]

He will be with Auston by the end of Feb.

 

[Nithoniniel]

I don't care if Nylander doesn't score more than 5 goals in a season, the goal should be wins and the Stanley Cup. He made his bed, he has been WELL compensated for taking his position. I don't begrudge him, I don't question the reasons, but, I say, "you don't just get to play with Matthews, you earn it" He didn't do yourself any favours by sitting out.

You're arguing against yourself here, in my opinion. I totally agree that Nylander made his own bed. I don't see a reason to sympathize with him. However, if the goal is team success then you do whatever it takes to get the most out of everybody, even if that includes letting the contract negotiation be history and give Nylander a chance he hasn't earned yet this season.

I don't think that's the move myself. At least not that for that reason. What he needed was to catch up to a league that was a few months ahead of him. That's starting to happen. Putting him with Matthews would just make that process look quicker by artificially boosting his production with some easy points.

If last game was an indicator, he should be ready to be back as a prime contributor for us.

 

[Clark4Ever]

This has been the plan all along. Babs is waiting until Nylander's 100% to put him there permanently.

 

[Notsince67]

Weird, it won't allow me to put the video with a direct link, it's on the Sportsnet landing page, scroll a bit down.

Sports News: World and National Sports Headlines, Score Updates, Highlights, Stats & Results - Sportsnet.ca

What say you?

I generally agree with Doug MacLean, I think he's one of the more logical analysts (as analysts go) and I do understand his argument, I can't subscribe to it though.

I don't care if Nylander doesn't score more than 5 goals in a season, the goal should be wins and the Stanley Cup. He made his bed, he has been WELL compensated for taking his position. I don't begrudge him, I don't question the reasons, but, I say, "you don't just get to play with Matthews, you earn it" He didn't do yourself any favours by sitting out.

In time, maybe he will earn the Right to be on his line, but right now, I say no. To ANY player on this team who might venture into this forum, play to win. Put the team first, put your name on the Cup and then we can have discussions about what Babcock should or shouldn't do. Even when I disagree with Babcock, I have to trust him, he's earned it. His faith in this defense for instance, which as a team has certainly improve; is one such example.

Babcock seems to like a heavy presence on every line. If Willy replaces Kappy, it is likely he puts Hyman back on that line. JT plays a heavy enough game to account for that line.

 

[Buds17]

Don't think linemates or lack of opportunity explains why Nylander hasn't been playing up to his capabilities just yet. Missing camp and games takes time to get back up to speed. Imagine he'll be firing on all cylinders and alongside Matthews soon enough. In the event he's not - and that's what's best for the team - so be it.

 

[BodaciousBeefBazooka]

Did he not earn that the last 2 years? Lol

Dont you get it? He has to re-earn it now

 

[Confucius]

I think, once he's shown he can keep up, he'll go back.
But that would because he would have earned it.

when he is better then Kappy, by all means. But I wouldn't hold my breath.

 

[Spirit of 67]

when he is better then Kappy, by all means. But I wouldn't hold my breath.

Quite honestly I'm less worried about that and more worried about Marleau on that line.
He's played his best hockey for us on Naz's left side.

 

[unitedstars87]

I think he will break out of his slump being on ROR line in St.Louis or Schenn.

 

[Fogelhund]

Didn't Nylander start on Matthews line last game... and was demoted down as the game went along?

That's probably the formula going forward... he gets "some" ice time with Matthews, until he seizes it for the balance of the season.

 

[CelticDruid]

This thread should be slotted in with all the rest of the Willie threads going on.

 

[hullsy47]

Diasagree. Nylander should not be treated like a prima donna. He has to earn the right to play with Matthews. The way to do that is to work, play a 200 ft game and put up points. Prove he is worth the new contract. He also needs to earn the respect of his teammates as well as Babs.

he is lucky he STILL A LEAF plus hell get about 17 mill before u can trade him
poor DUBAS if the leafs don't win a play off round

 

[BoredBrandonPridham]

Weird, it won't allow me to put the video with a direct link, it's on the Sportsnet landing page, scroll a bit down.

Sports News: World and National Sports Headlines, Score Updates, Highlights, Stats & Results - Sportsnet.ca

What say you?

I generally agree with Doug MacLean, I think he's one of the more logical analysts (as analysts go) and I do understand his argument, I can't subscribe to it though.

I don't care if Nylander doesn't score more than 5 goals in a season, the goal should be wins and the Stanley Cup. He made his bed, he has been WELL compensated for taking his position. I don't begrudge him, I don't question the reasons, but, I say, "you don't just get to play with Matthews, you earn it" He didn't do yourself any favours by sitting out.

In time, maybe he will earn the Right to be on his line, but right now, I say no. To ANY player on this team who might venture into this forum, play to win. Put the team first, put your name on the Cup and then we can have discussions about what Babcock should or shouldn't do. Even when I disagree with Babcock, I have to trust him, he's earned it. His faith in this defense for instance, which as a team has certainly improved; is one such example.

If how much he makes comes into the discussion when arguing where he should play, then you aren’t fully influenced on winning a cup.

 

[Menzinger]

Nylander still trying to get up to mid season form. His icetime currently reflects Babs still needs to work on that - as he becomes ready for an extra 2-3 min per game he’ll get moved up the lineup though.

Personally I’d hope they slide Kappy over to the left side and have a dominant first line. And drop Marleau back with Kadri

 

[LeafalCrusader]

I hate Marleau with Matthews so I'd love to see

Johnsson Tavares Marner
Kappy Matthews Nylander
Marleau Kadri Brown

 

[frizzer1]

I hate Marleau with Matthews so I'd love to see

Johnsson Tavares Marner
Kappy Matthews Nylander
Marleau Kadri Brown

That would require loading up not one but two lines........something babcock keeps telling us won't work.
Lucky for us we have a smart coach and not one of those stupid ones who do load their lines.

 

[Martin Skoula]

That would require loading up not one but two lines........something babcock keeps telling us won't work.
Lucky for us we have a smart coach and not one of those stupid ones who do load their lines.

Marleau-Kadri-Hyman should get Babcock excited enough to forget about the other lines being loaded up. Only problem is that line would be on for 30+ mins a game.

 

[LeafsOHLRangers98]

I would like to see Kapanen-Matthews-Nylander tried for a longer period of time with Hyman out. Nylander wasnt the reason that line wasn't working against Detroit. Matty and Kap were a bit off that whole game.

Kapanen-Matthews-Nylander
Johnsson-Tavares-Marner(loving this line)
Hyman-Kadri-Brown (pain in the a** line)
Marleau-Goat-Moore/Lindholm

 

[DarkKnight]

To ANY player on this team who might venture into this forum, play to win.

Wondering what horrible sequence of events would lead to that....

 

[nuck]

I like it. It will drag down AM's scoring and make him cheaper to sign