Time to Revisit Nylander at C?

[MR4]

It’s clear that we have no one that can perform at a high level at 2C when looking at the other options like Kerfoot & Foligno at 2C.

This would also offer a winger position to someone like Gally or Engvall, that has shown scoring talents, to be put on Nylander’s wing. And it does stabilize the other lines by just needing to add a winger from the bench onto the 2nd line, instead of using a blender on the regular season lines that we did this game.

What does Leafs Nation think?

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[SeaOfBlue]

It’s clear that we have no one that can perform at a high level at 2C when looking at the other options like Kerfoot & Foligno at 2C.

This would also offer a winger position to someone like Gally or Engvall, that has shown scoring talents, to be put on Nylander’s wing. And it does stabilize the other lines by just needing to add a winger from the bench onto the 2nd line, instead of using a blender on the regular season lines that we did this game.

What does Leafs Nation think?

I would put Kerfoot at 2C but let Nylander take draws on the right side. You can still use Galchenyuk on the 2nd line.

 

[Dave92]

Engvall is at least a competent defender. I'd rather Nylander just focus on offense.

 

[sxvnert]

The training for this should have happened throughout the year. Cant spring it on him in the playoffs like last season.

 

[A1LeafNation]

Galchenyuk Matthews Marner
Foligno Nylander Hyman

Three headed center line

 

[LeafsOHLRangers98]

Should re-visit why he still played just 16 minutes tonight.

Need to find a way to get him up to 20, especially with JT out for a bit.

 

[Tak7]

Please, no.

Nylander isn't a center.

It didn't work last season in the playoffs. They didn't even bother trying it all season, because they know it doesn't work.

 

[jaric1862]

He's not a center, he shouldn't be an option there.

 

[DaWatcher]

You guys are all laughable.

I said MANY times that Joe Thornton is absolute dog shite, and should never see NHL minutes.
I was told by old timers @Teeder Keon "I've been watching hockey for 100 years. And boy if you don't know why Joe Thornton deserves playing time, you don't know hockey."

Engvall/Brooks, Galchenyuk, Robertson should all be inplace of Simmonds and Thornton.

All you old timers on this site know nothing about new age hockey.... "but but --- muh Joe thornton"

I've said it many times since the beginning of the season, playing Joe Thornton will cost the leafs the cup.

I don't ever wanna see Reilly Nash ever again to be honest. Why f*** with the team chemistry now? Keefe made this questionable decision last year when he took out Robertson for that stiff Johnsson in Game 5.

 

[A1LeafNation]

Should re-visit why he still played just 16 minutes tonight.

Need to find a way to get him up to 20, especially with JT out for a bit.

4-5 pks screwed up the ice for a lot

 

[francis246]

Lol if you wanna give up a lot of goals go for it. Nylander is a winger, he plays his best on the wing.

 

[Rielly4]

Hyman-Matthews-Marner
Galchenyuk-Kerfoot-Nylander
Foligno-Engvall-Simmonds
Thornton-Brooks-Spezza

Probably get Dermott in for Sandin too. Dermott is just sucha good skater and much harder to play against.

Mikheyev and Nash were very bad imo and need to come out, Engvall was good in last years playoffs and brings pace. Brooks was great with the two old timers they had amazing chemistry.

 

[Mickey Marner]

Literally anybody not named Joe Thornton will do.

 

[tmlms13]

When they tried this vs Columbus he kept forgetting who he was jumping on the ice for during on the fly changes.

Took a too many men because he went on early for the winger, or was late getting on because he was waiting.

 

[GQS]

Seriously I wouldn't mind if they gave Spezza a shot at 2C with Nylander and whoever. He's been pretty good and has looked dangerous offensively in his limited minutes and he's pretty decent in the faceoff circle as well.

 

[Bomber0104]

Absolutely not.

 

[saffronleaf]

Yes, they should try Willy in the 2C spot.

 

[The Beyonder]

Nylander at centre experiment is done. Playoffs aren't the time for experimentation, just put Kerfoot up and hope other guys can step up. It's a huge loss.

 

[Buds17]

I'm okay either way as he'll be playing on that same line regardless of position. I figure Galchenyuk draws in for Game 2.

 

[Stephen]

If he had gotten reps during the season in that role, sure. But this would be a panic move and could likely blow up in our faces.

 

[Antropovsky]

Brooks back with Spezza and Thornton. The old guys need his energy.

 

[TMLegend]

Nylander would get eaten alive playing C down low vs the Habs physicality they demonstrated in game 1.

 

[Stonehands1990]

11-34-16
12-15-88
65-20-71
97-19-24

 

[ponder]

No, he’s just not that good at C, better on the wing. IMO the top 6 should be:

Hyman - Matthews - Marner
Foligno - Kerfoot - Nylander

JT is a huge loss, but we can still win this series.

 

[Menzinger]

If Tavares is out, likely Kerfoot gets bumped up to the line and they split duties with Nylander