Rantanen vs. Nylander

[Freaky Styley]

Mikko Rantanen

Right Wing -- shoots L
Born Oct 29 1996 -- Nousiainen, Finland
[21 yrs. ago]
Height 6.04 -- Weight 211 [193 cm/96 kg

2015-16	San Antonio Rampage	AHL	52	24	36	60	42	20	--	--	--	--	--
2016-17	San Antonio Rampage	AHL	4	0	2	2	4	0	--	--	--	--	--
2016-17	Colorado Avalanche	NHL	75	20	18	38	22	-25	--	--	--	--	--
2017-18	Colorado Avalanche	NHL	58	19	37	56	30	-4

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

William Nylander

Center -- shoots R
Born May 1 1996 -- Calgary, ALTA
[21 yrs. ago]
Height 6.00 -- Weight 191 [183 cm/87 kg]

2014-15	Toronto Marlies	AHL	37	14	18	32	4	8	5	0	3	3	0
2015-16	Toronto Marlies	AHL	38	18	27	45	10	7	14	7	4	11	2
2015-16	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL	22	6	7	13	4	1	--	--	--	--	--
2016-17	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL	81	22	39	61	32	-3	6	1	3	4	2
2017-18	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL	62	14	32	46	4	19

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

People have been comparing these 2 since their AHL days so I thought it was time to re-visit.

Nylander is a 'hockey year' older but the two are only separated by a few months. Both flank two of the best young players in the game. They have had very similar career trajectories to date. So who would you prefer moving forward?

Being a fan of both teams and watching both of these guys regularly, I have to say this is very close. I think Willie has better vision/passing ability but Rantanen has a better shot and is a better finisher. Nylander is a little better at creating offense on his own but Rantanen is better on the cycle game and 2-way play.

For me, it's very close. But I have to go with Rantanen as I think he is a more well-rounded player and has a rare combination of size and skill. Who do you pick?

Click to read more...

 

[Harhis]

It was Rantanen 2 years ago and still is.

 

[X66]

Rantanen is having the better year but I'd still hold on to Nylander over him.

Rantanen plays 3:46 of PP time a game, that is ridiculous(and it's worked for him). He's put in that position to put up points.

Babs said just as early as last game he doesn't play his forwards big minutes like other teams do, but he might do that a bit differently during 'crunch time'.

Nylander has been better at even strength production so far, but Rantanen has a huge edge with power play points.

Because things like PP points can be so varied year by year, I'd still give the slight edge to Nylander moving forward.

 

[ImpartialNHLfan]

Seen both quite a bit this season. Rantanen is killer on the pp, but I prefer Nylander as he's a little better 5on5 and I'm sure he'll get better on the pp once he gets more time.

 

[Morgs]

2017-18

5v5 p60:
Nylander - 2.47
Rantanen - 2.03

PP p60:
Nylander - 3.2
Rantanen - 6.39

------

2016-17

5v5 p60:
Nylander - 1.71
Rantanen - 1.49

PP p60:
Nylander - 8.48
Rantanen - 2.74

Points wise, Nylander is better 5v5 and they've both had one great season on the PP (Nylander had a better one).

I still pick Willy, but I get why people like Rantanen. I just hope one day Babcock will use our stars effectively.

 

[1specter]

Nylander is more of a driver at even strength and one of the best in the league at gaining the zone. Going with him, though Rantanen is a great player in his own right and I was very high on him leading up to the 2015 draft.

 

[Spirit of 67]

Chose Nylander because I'm a Leafs fan.
I suspect Avs fans do the same with Rantanen. As well they should.
Both teams are quite happy.

 

[ConnorMcMullet]

Very even players. I take Nylander just because he's right handed.

 

[cgf]

Still Mikko

 

[MattySnipes]

I'm sure both teams are happy with their respective selections. I like Mikko's size, but Nylander complements Matty very well. Both will be great players.

Nylander for me, atm.

 

[SotasicA]

Should have an option for "too close to call". As it is, I refrain.

 

[al secord]

Willy Ny, the Poll Winning Guy!

 

[StatisticsAddict99]

The bigger, better, stronger and younger player.

 

[a mangy Meowth]

The player who has 10 more points than the other player

 

[nbwingsfan]

Seen both quite a bit this season. Rantanen is killer on the pp, but I prefer Nylander as he's a little better 5on5 and I'm sure he'll get better on the pp once he gets more time.

If I'm not mistaken, Nylander was actually quite bad 5v5 last season and racked most of his points on the PP.

 

[DDRhockey]

The player who has 10 more points than the other player

Points is not everything

 

[Morgs]

If I'm not mistaken, Nylander was actually quite bad 5v5 last season and racked most of his points on the PP.

Nylander wasn't bad 5v5, he just was unlucky. Low oish% and seemed to get a lot of "3rd" assists. He was fantastic on the PP though. This season hes been excellent 5v5, and unlucky on the PP.. If he puts it together, watch out.

Rantanen last season was about the same as Willy is this year on the PP, and was worse than him 5v5. This year he's worse than Willy 5v5 again, and much better on the PP (even though Willy was better on it last year than Rantanen is this year).

They're both great young players.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Good poll question from the poll when both were playing in the AHL. Rantanen is a D+3 and Nylander is a D+4. Rantanen has turned out just what I expected from those Rampage AHL days. Tremendous player this year with 56 points in 58 games. Size, skill, and love his hockey IQ. He's got all you want in a hockey player. Both are top 6 wingers, but this one is easy for me. Prefer Rantanen right now and for the future.

 

[M C D A V I D]

I think Rantanen has more dimensions to his game when he isn't scoring. I also think this will be a peak year for him offensively, though. (Yes, players peak offensively in their early 20s all the time - development isn't linear)

 

[a mangy Meowth]

Points is not everything

They're scoring line forwards expected to produce offense and 10 points is a significant difference.

 

[cgf]

Points is not everything

I mean when the player with more points is also younger, better defensively and bigger, it's worth mentioning a 10 point gap

 

[Morgs]

They're scoring line forwards expected to produce offense and 10 points is a significant difference.

Career numbers:

Nylander: 59.6 points / 82 games
Rantanen: 54.2 points / 82 games

Can you really blame Nylander for playing 84 minutes less on the PP this season alone?

 

[cgf]

I love when HF posters bring up career numbers for active players, especially kids who are still just starting off

 

[Kcb12345]

Rantanan pretty easily for me, but I like Nylander too

 

[ImpartialNHLfan]

I love when HF posters bring up career numbers for active players, especially kids who are still just starting off

Do you have a different method? I'm sure you can post something of significance instead of throwing up a laughing face.