News Article: Re-emergence of Nylander and Marner as big as any deadline acquisition

[WTFMAN99]

The 2017-18 season did not begin all that well for either of Mitch Marner or William Nylander. Both players have found themselves in coach Mike Babcock's proverbial dog house. Throughout the season they showed flashes of brilliance that they displayed in their rookie season but nothing ever seemed to be rolling on all cylinders consistently for either player.

Re-emergence of Nylander and Marner as big as any deadline acquisition

Super happy for both of them turning it around. Didn't want to go for a super controversial topic, just highlight how far they've come. It's 1 season but it's been a journey for both, and it's not over yet!

Click to read more...

 

[Mugzy97]

I'm too lazy to go searching for examples, but it was painful reading some comments around the boards about how these guys were not as good as everybody thought from their rookie seasons. It was quite obvious that the talent was there and they were going to turn a corner eventually. Glad it has happened as well and made some posters disappear.

I think Babcock is developing these guys in a way that some fans cannot understand, but in the end they will be better players for it.

 

[tom leafers]

if these guys get stay hot up until the playoffs, who ever faces the leafs, if i were their team i would be scared. Nothing like a couple of hungry young stars who already have a year of playoff experience

 

[WTFMAN99]

I'm too lazy to go searching for examples, but it was painful reading some comments around the boards about how these guys were not as good as everybody thought from their rookie seasons. It was quite obvious that the talent was there and they were going to turn a corner eventually. Glad it has happened as well and made some posters disappear.

I think Babcock is developing these guys in a way that some fans cannot understand, but in the end they will be better players for it.

It has been very satisfying watching them emerge, for the longest time it seemed like any moment it would happen. There was some bad luck and learning to grow their game a bit more, what worked last year won't always work this year. I think Marner getting more ice time with harder working players in Marleau-Kadri has been great for Marner.

Nylander's season is a bit similar to last year, he exploded in the 2nd half of last year and was great in the play-offs. Hopefully Nylander can keep that up. I think Marner had mono last year in the playoffs so hopefully a fresher Marner can be as impact as he's been in the last few weeks

Time to puff out our chests a bit and just acknowledge we're a good team.

 

[Tak7]

No one should be surprised that these 2 eventually figured it out this season - the reaction here to their early season struggles was ridiculous and totally overblown.

if these guys get stay hot up until the playoffs, who ever faces the leafs, if i were their team i would be scared. Nothing like a couple of hungry young stars who already have a year of playoff experience

Let's not forget - Marner got very sick late last season, and never really properly recovered, which really led him to struggling in the playoffs last season.

Having a healthy, fast Marner with something to prove, is very exciting heading down the stretch / post season

 

[Tall Morty]

I'm too lazy to go searching for examples, but it was painful reading some comments around the boards about how these guys were not as good as everybody thought from their rookie seasons. It was quite obvious that the talent was there and they were going to turn a corner eventually. Glad it has happened as well and made some posters disappear.

I think Babcock is developing these guys in a way that some fans cannot understand, but in the end they will be better players for it.

Took the words right out of my... keyboard.

 

[tom leafers]

No one should be surprised that these 2 eventually figured it out this season - the reaction here to their early season struggles was ridiculous and totally overblown.




Let's not forget - Marner got very sick late last season, and never really properly recovered, which really led him to struggling in the playoffs last season.

Having a healthy, fast Marner with something to prove, is very exciting heading down the stretch / post season

Dang thats right i forgot he had Mono for that last part of the season. That makes me even more excited to see him light it up.

 

[nobody]

Babcock is trying to turn every guy on the team into a 200 ft guy. Both Willie and Mitch have been in Babs doghouse but not because they werent producing offensively but instead because of their lacklustre defensive efforts.

Leafs fans realized that and most of us were okay with it. The part that pissed us off was guys like Bozak and JVR getting a free pass for their absolutely horrendous D. Though in a way Babs has punished them both by greatly reducing their ice time. We're no longer dependent on them to be our 2nd line.

Anyway, Willie and Mitch playing a solid 2 way game is to our benefit. All the Marlies kids are being hammered for their two way games. Guys like Kapanen, Johansson, Brown were all offensive juggernauts coming out of their respective junior leagues and have been turned into two way beasts by the Marlies. Even a guy like Leivo is a solid 2 way guy. I still don't get why Babs doesn't like him.

The organization has tried extremely hard to phase out one dimensional players.

 

[Tak7]

Dang thats right i forgot he had Mono for that last part of the season. That makes me even more excited to see him light it up.

Yep.

Mono, lost a bunch of weight, and Babcock admitted in the off-season that he never really recovered from it despite playing quite a bit of hockey afterwards

 

[nsleaf]

Babcock is trying to turn every guy on the team into a 200 ft guy. Both Willie and Mitch have been in Babs doghouse but not because they werent producing offensively but instead because of their lacklustre defensive efforts.

Leafs fans realized that and most of us were okay with it. The part that pissed us off was guys like Bozak and JVR getting a free pass for their absolutely horrendous D. Though in a way Babs has punished them both by greatly reducing their ice time. We're no longer dependent on them to be our 2nd line.

Anyway, Willie and Mitch playing a solid 2 way game is to our benefit. All the Marlies kids are being hammered for their two way games. Guys like Kapanen, Johansson, Brown were all offensive juggernauts coming out of their respective junior leagues and have been turned into two way beasts by the Marlies. Even a guy like Leivo is a solid 2 way guy. I still don't get why Babs doesn't like him.

The organization has tried extremely hard to phase out one dimensional players.

It's easier to train a young pup than an old dog.

 

[WTFMAN99]

It's easier to train a young pup than an old dog.

Makes me curious to see what a re-vamped top 9 look like next year, can't imagine they'll go one-dimensional like those 2 again. JVR has basically been made an offensive specialist, not a lot of ice time or 5v5 time, heavy offensive zone starts and PP time, he actually looks better for it.

 

[Buds17]

Agree that the Marner/Nylander calibre of player is not readily available at this particular point of the season and certainly not easily attainable. More ideal to go through any kind of blips earlier in the season too when the team has realistic playoff hopes. Never a case of fretting too much either as both are too good to not eventually have turned things around.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Agree that the Marner/Nylander calibre of player is not readily available at this particular point of the season and certainly not easily attainable. More ideal to go through any kind of blips earlier in the season too when the team has realistic playoff hopes. Never a case of fretting too much either as both are too good to not eventually have turned things around.

I think under past management groups it would have blown up a lot more in the media etc then it was but you never heard a peep from Lou and co. Such a welcome change.

 

[Mugzy97]

Makes me curious to see what a re-vamped top 9 look like next year, can't imagine they'll go one-dimensional like those 2 again.

Also should be interesting to see what contract Willy gets. Should set the tone for Mitch and Auston.

I think under past management groups it would have blown up a lot more in the media etc then it was but you never heard a peep from Lou and co. Such a welcome change.

Another thing Babcock and management are underrated for - sheltering the team from the media, and teaching them what to say and what not to say in front of the media. It's night and day difference to what it was before they were here.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Also should be interesting to see what contract Willy gets. Should set the tone for Mitch and Auston.



Another thing Babcock and management are underrated for - sheltering the team from the media, and teaching them what to say and what not to say in front of the media. It's night and day difference to what it was before they were here.

Nylander *has* to sign this off-season and I don't think they'll waste any time; Matthews will get his extension this off-season

I think that 7-8 years at around 6.5M per for both Nylander and Marner will be the expectation. Matthews will be 8 years and 11M per i'd say.

Marner could always try to bet on himself and opt to wait until he needs to re-sign a new deal

I envision a few scenarios.

Press conference with all 3 signing new contract extensions or separate press conferences this off-season for Matthews and Nylander's new contracts but Matthews press conference likely comes with an announcement that he's the new captain.

 

[Buds17]

I think under past management groups it would have blown up a lot more in the media etc then it was but you never heard a peep from Lou and co. Such a welcome change.

Agreed. I hope seeing a team with a good present and future is a big part of it. Might be things to express concern about from time to time, but the standings ultimately tell enough of the story. This is a good team. If the belief is high in the players and what they can do moving forward, you give them enough rope to work their way out of any problems they might find themselves in.

 

[frog]

I'm too lazy to go searching for examples, but it was painful reading some comments around the boards about how these guys were not as good as everybody thought from their rookie seasons. It was quite obvious that the talent was there and they were going to turn a corner eventually. Glad it has happened as well and made some posters disappear.

I think Babcock is developing these guys in a way that some fans cannot understand, but in the end they will be better players for it.

Agreed. Slack babcock got for the tough love on nylander/marner was annoying. Nylander looks to be a lot more polished since last season, instead of rewarding only offence (like leaf fans wanted), he was developed alot more gritty, tougher, wins more battles, and has had some really good defensive plays that you would not have seen last year. And his offence is back. Babcock got two regular season stars into two regular season + playoff stars. Same thing is going on with kapanen btw and everyone is complaining. Let him pay his dues with two gritty veterans to fill out his game... offence will come.

 

[Zizzzzy]

Not to Hijack Marner/Nylanders thread... and not to get ahead of myself.... But both players excel when they have confidence to hold the puck and drive the play...

I've been seeing the same thing in Kappy since his call up. Using his speed to drive the rush, doing some crazy shit to keep possession. Kid is looking like another player that fits the title of the article.

 

[Mugzy97]

Nylander *has* to sign this off-season and I don't think they'll waste any time; Matthews will get his extension this off-season

I think that 7-8 years at around 6.5M per for both Nylander and Marner will be the expectation. Matthews will be 8 years and 11M per i'd say.

Marner could always try to bet on himself and opt to wait until he needs to re-sign a new deal

I envision a few scenarios.

Press conference with all 3 signing new contract extensions or separate press conferences this off-season for Matthews and Nylander's new contracts but Matthews press conference likely comes with an announcement that he's the new captain.

Yeah obviously base case scenario is we lock them all up for 8 years, but there has been a lot of speculation and opinions shared on the contract front and there are plenty of different things that could happen. Maybe Nylander or Marner ask for and sign a bridge deal? Maybe Matthews comes in lower than everyone expects due to a pay cut and trying to win a cup? Anything could happen and it should be interesting to see what takes place.

 

[Mugzy97]

Agreed. Slack babcock got for the tough love on nylander/marner was annoying. Nylander looks to be a lot more polished since last season, instead of rewarding only offence (like leaf fans wanted), he was developed alot more gritty, tougher, wins more battles, and has had some really good defensive plays that you would not have seen last year. And his offence is back. Babcock got two regular season stars into two regular season + playoff stars. Same thing is going on with kapanen btw and everyone is complaining. Let him pay his dues with two gritty veterans to fill out his game... offence will come.

Exactly, Babs doesn't care about the stats for these guys and winning polls of Nylander vs _____ on HF boards, he wants to win, and the best way to win is to develop these guys into all around stars instead of scoring champions. The offensive ability is already there, he just inflicts defensive responsibility and high level work ethic on the guys every day to turn it into a habit.

 

[DarkKnight]

Agreed. Slack babcock got for the tough love on nylander/marner was annoying. Nylander looks to be a lot more polished since last season, instead of rewarding only offence (like leaf fans wanted), he was developed alot more gritty, tougher, wins more battles, and has had some really good defensive plays that you would not have seen last year. And his offence is back. Babcock got two regular season stars into two regular season + playoff stars. Same thing is going on with kapanen btw and everyone is complaining. Let him pay his dues with two gritty veterans to fill out his game... offence will come.

Babcock is smarter than we are....much, much smarter.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Yeah obviously base case scenario is we lock them all up for 8 years, but there has been a lot of speculation and opinions shared on the contract front and there are plenty of different things that could happen. Maybe Nylander or Marner ask for and sign a bridge deal? Maybe Matthews comes in lower than everyone expects due to a pay cut and trying to win a cup? Anything could happen and it should be interesting to see what takes place.

Yep, could be anything, I think the franchise bets on them though and goes for the long term contracts because outside of enjoying a couple years of savings, I think in the long run you pay more. Even if Matthews came in at 10M vs 11M that would be appreciated, you know that he is going to get any number of endorsement opportunities to make up that money and he enjoys success on the ice. Success on the ice only lends itself to more money off of it.

He is god in Toronto if the Leafs win a cup.