Hard to imagine there were some who bashed him, wanted to trade him, made incorrect statements about his style of play, and ignored countless signs that this is exactly what he would do this year.
I think his 'comeback' is a little overstated.
He had about 19 games last year that were bad, where he had 3 points, and then after that was back to playing at a 56 point pace, and was one of our better players in the playoffs. His on-ice Sh% was incredibly low, he was generating chances for himself & teammates at similar rates to the rest of his career, it was more or less poor luck in a smaller than normal sample.
I do agree that his play in 19/20 is improved over what we saw in 16-19...but the notion that he was utter **** last year is, well, utter ****. As a goal scorer he has definitely improved, but overall, what we've essentially seen is a) he's playing with Matthews or Tavares, not Marleau & Brown, b) his shooting % and teammates shooting % is regressing back to normal values.
Or you can recognize that all players go through hot and cold stretches, both in production and play, and that there are external factors that affect this and how we perceive players.These guys can be elite and when they are, deserve all the love. But when they suck for games on end, there is nothing wrong with calling it out.
I both praise and complain about him. What I don't get is those who pick a side and never leave it.
Personally I think it highlights how little opportunity he was given last year to get going but people are free to express their opinions.
In the past, Nylander was perceived as a perimeter player, but not anymore. He has scored the second-most inner-slot goals in the NHL this season as Keefe has moved him to the net-front spot on the power play.
Does anyone have an issue with his contract?But...but his contract!
Don't forget he also makes more than Pastrnak, even though it's a difference of $6.7 million for Pastrnak and $6.9 million for Nylander.But...but his contract!
Why do you think he won this award?I cant hear any of the naysayers from last season!!!! Something about eating CROW!!!
As typical, no response by that poster.Focusing on his season last year to criticize his performance is absolutely negative. At least own it
Many people need to, and some more then others.I cant hear any of the naysayers from last season!!!! Something about eating CROW!!!
Up until the season started it felt like people never shut up about it. It was mostly the main board but there definitely some Leafs fans too. Mostly just the "I hate everything about Dubas" cult.Does anyone have an issue with his contract?
Pasta is on arguably the best contract in the league. The Bruins got really, really lucky with that one. Among some of their other deals.Don't forget he also makes more than Pastrnak, even though it's a difference of $6.7 million for Pastrnak and $6.9 million for Nylander.
There are still some people on the main board who complain about Nylander making more than Pastrnak.Up until the season started it felt like people never shut up about it. It was mostly the main board but there definitely some Leafs fans too. Mostly just the "I hate everything about Dubas" cult.
Yup. It's tough to believe there weren't fans last year who said he is a terrible player, and the reason why we struggled in the 2nd half.Good for Nylander.
I was pretty confident he would come back this year and be the player some on here knew he could be.
As OP said, there should be plenty of posters eating crow on this one, but I'm sure they won't be anywhere near this topic or come up with some reason why he doesn't deserve it.
I cant hear any of the naysayers from last season!!!! Something about eating CROW!!!
Yeah, more an issue with Dubas than Nylander there.Up until the season started it felt like people never shut up about it. It was mostly the main board but there definitely some Leafs fans too. Mostly just the "I hate everything about Dubas" cult.
No one forced Pastrnak to sign that contract when he did and if things were different and he needed a new contract, I'm sure he would want more than the $6.7 million he's currently making. So I don't care when Brad Marchand says players on Boston don't mind making less on team friendly contracts, because it's easy to say now when their contracts are not about to expire.Pasta is on arguably the best contract in the league. The Bruins got really, really lucky with that one. Among some of their other deals.