TSN: plan is to make Nylander a star

[HamiltonNHL]

In our dreams ......I felt Stamkos was more open to it then Tavares, JT up to this point hasn't even suggested it as a possibility, unlike someone like Stammer who did and even met with the Leafs...can't see it happening with JT.

Me Neither.
I dont think we want him anyway.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Me Neither.
I dont think we want him anyway.

If one of the best players in the world wanted to sign with us and we didn't have to give up any assets for him, yeah that would be terrible.

 

[DarkKnight]

Babcock just kicked the center can down the road again. All I've ever said is the organization isn't sold on Nylander defensively at center, there is no decipher needed, the quote is clear, as is the record to date. Will he become a center? Maybe, but I'd lean winger at this point. I do find it a bit amusing that past Babcock quotes were used to say he would be center now this is being poo pooed or "misconstrued". Here's the Leafs bottom line: lots of kids are drafted as centers, lots don't become NHL centers, unless Willie shows he can defend at center, he won't be one, but he's still young.

 

[Iapyi]

Well it's not like he's going to say he's trying to destroy his confidence and get him out of the league

the really really funny thing is that some posters actually think that is what he is trying to do. lol

 

[Mr Hockey]

I am sure Babcock prefers Willie to be a center and open up a right wing spot, give it time, no biggie!

 

[HamiltonNHL]

If one of the best players in the world wanted to sign with us and we didn't have to give up any assets for him, yeah that would be terrible.

Pretty sure we'd be giving up assets

 

[Bluelines]

In our dreams ......I felt Stamkos was more open to it then Tavares, JT up to this point hasn't even suggested it as a possibility, unlike someone like Stammer who did and even met with the Leafs...can't see it happening with JT.

Tavares decision to stay or Leaf the Islanders will have a lot to do with the stability of the ownership group and if they are going to find a permanent place to play, that Brooklyn arena is a horrible hockey rink.

I think Tavares is more likely to leave than Stammer was.

If he targets Toronto that is a different question

 

[Morbo]

Nylander already looked like a star last year.

 

[saltming]

Babcock just kicked the center can down the road again. All I've ever said is the organization isn't sold on Nylander defensively at center, there is no decipher needed, the quote is clear, as is the record to date. Will he become a center? Maybe, but I'd lean winger at this point. I do find it a bit amusing that past Babcock quotes were used to say he would be center now this is being poo pooed or "misconstrued". Here's the Leafs bottom line: lots of kids are drafted as centers, lots don't become NHL centers, unless Willie shows he can defend at center, he won't be one, but he's still young.

He's playing centre today though.

 

[Walshy7]

He's playing centre today though.

hows he look in the 1st salt?

 

[saltming]

hows he look in the 1st salt?

Good! Lots of chances for in close and looking good in our end. As usual elite puck carrying.

Oh hit iron already

 

[Walshy7]

Good! Lots of chances for in close and looking good in our end. As usual elite puck carrying.

Oh hit iron already

nice I liked him against the oilers, he plays well at C IMO. some weren't happy with his last game there though

 

[saltming]

nice I liked him against the oilers, he plays well at C IMO. some weren't happy with his last game there though

He is trying to play smarter imo and it's a process.
He's been playing really well today. I can't see anything to complain about in the 1st

 

[Mr Hockey]

Good! Lots of chances for in close and looking good in our end. As usual elite puck carrying.

Oh hit iron already

Yep, could have had a couple goals!

 

[BoredBrandonPridham]

Nope Implying that Pittsburgh won chipping it in and having an effective forcheck. That’s playoff hockey today.

Pens won the cup by keeping possession of the puck, not throwing it away as soon as they entered the offensive zone. Regardless, teams need to be good at both. When you can carry in well, and have an opportunity to do so, though, you have a higher chance of keeping possession of the puck, tiring out the opposition with a cycle, and setting up a HDSC with the opposition on their heels.

 

[Mr Hockey]

If teams have a game plan to try and stop the big 3 from zone entries, you "adapt" and get the puck in deep, basic hockey! There is nothing worse for a d'man than fast forewords on the fore check.

 

[thewave]

Babcock today on Nylander confirms what I've thought about him becoming a center, this organization isn't sold on that at all:

That's organization language for yeah he has the skill will be a C but may not wink wink because this this and this. Blah blah contract wingers are cheaper.

 

[Crosscrease14]

That's organization language for yeah he has the skill will be a C but may not wink wink because this this and this. Blah blah contract wingers are cheaper.

I was thinking the same. Sign him long term and then give him a real shot at C. Let him work on his defensive game in the meantime. Bozak is likely gone next year so the timing is pretty perfect. Matthews-Kadri-Nylander-Who cares is great depth.

 

[stickty111]

There is no question the plan of the organization is to have Nylander be a centre.

 

[Garthinater]

I tell yea what, nylander can shoot that puck!

 

[ShaneFalco]

That's organization language for yeah he has the skill will be a C but may not wink wink because this this and this. Blah blah contract wingers are cheaper.

Actually compared to a lot of quotes lately, that was a decent one from Babs

 

[Menzinger]

It's weird to me that a lot of people seem to take that quote as Babcock saying Nylander won't be a center. The quote can basically be distilled down to: "Nylander has the skill to be center. He needs to be better off the puck to be center. We are working on that, it's a process. When that process is complete is unclear, and it's not a guarantee to happen."

If there's one thing that quote says, it's that the plan is still for Nylander to be center.

There’s positives and negatives to take away from it (especially reading between the lines).

Babcock clearly thinks highly of him and that is reflected in the high level expectations he’s set for him to reach.

That said, it’s also yet another insight into his trust issues with younger players. Tie goes to the vet unless he’s 110% convinced otherwise.

Anyways was nice to see him finally pot another goal today, here’s hoping it’s the start of a streak as he finds his game

 

[Menzinger]

You seem to imply that good carry-ins are mutually exclusive from the pens

Funny enough the Pens are great st zone entries and controlled breakouts

 

[Drytoast]

That's organization language for yeah he has the skill will be a C but may not wink wink because this this and this. Blah blah contract wingers are cheaper.

No it's not. I get exactly what's he's saying and so should you.

Unless you havn't noticed Matthew's and Marleau's ability to get to the man in the slot. Or take the puck away from a guy in the boards?

Nylander hasn't really demonstrated that consistently yet from what I've watched so far.

So Bab's is right.

 

[johnny_rudeboy]

Only the really inexperienced and very young hockey fans think he was//is being punished and not developed.

Why does this make me feel bad?