William Nylander Discussion Thread

[ACC1224]

Defense, offense, what can't Willy do?

Has he ever scored an empty net goal?

 

[Oscar Peterson]

Has he ever scored an empty net goal?

Yes, when he had his 10 game point streak a few years back he scored a full distance empty netter to keep the streak alive.

Nice to see him play so well after the team meeting incident, him and JT look like a completely different duo lately

 

[Sweet Leaf]

Not sure what the argument is here @Sweet Leaf. You’re saying if Nylander was on our top line we’d be a lousy team, though you appear to agree that we have elite top line talent on our 2nd line... which we do, in Tavares and Nylander.

The context is this continual effort to frame Nylander's numbers as being less than they should be due to under utilization and my disagreement with that notion.

I think he's being utilized perfectly as a second liner playing 15-18 minutes a game.. I don't think his 5 on 5 numbers would jump much on the top line and with the few more minutes that come with it due to the matchups. I also think that the less strong areas of his game are exposed more especially when he has to face top physical defence pairings. Sheltering him a little on the second line makes all kinds of sense with this player for all kinds of reasons.

There's some validity to his numbers going up with more PP time however given the recent state of our PP even that's pretty dubious at this point.

 

[The90]

The perfect follow up lol

 

[The90]

The context is this continual effort to frame Nylander's numbers as being less than they should be due to under utilization and my disagreement with that notion.

I think he's being utilized perfectly as a second liner playing 15-18 minutes a game.. I don't think his 5 on 5 numbers would jump much on the top line and with the few more minutes that come with it due to the matchups. I also think that the less strong areas of his game are exposed more especially when he has to face top physical defence pairings. Sheltering him a little on the second line makes all kinds of sense with this player for all kinds of reasons.

There's some validity to his numbers going up with more PP time however given the recent state of our PP even that's pretty dubious at this point.

This of course only makes sense, if he didn’t play the top lines for every season until keefe was his coach. However, he did. So it’s a disingenuous argument.

 

[ZEBROA]

Has he been ok lately?

 

[crump]

We are blessed to have Wee Willy. He’d be a number 1 or 2 offensive player on a lot of teams, maybe even a centre. This goal last night...

I’ve scored hundreds of goals like that from that same position, same shot.. only mine were on my table hockey game.

 

[zeke]

The context is this continual effort to frame Nylander's numbers as being less than they should be due to under utilization and my disagreement with that notion.

I think he's being utilized perfectly as a second liner playing 15-18 minutes a game.. I don't think his 5 on 5 numbers would jump much on the top line and with the few more minutes that come with it due to the matchups. I also think that the less strong areas of his game are exposed more especially when he has to face top physical defence pairings. Sheltering him a little on the second line makes all kinds of sense with this player for all kinds of reasons.

There's some validity to his numbers going up with more PP time however given the recent state of our PP even that's pretty dubious at this point.

Since Keefe took over Nylander is 20th in goals per game and 40th in points per game - that's top end 1st line production in 2nd line minutes.

 

[Menzinger]

29 goal pace and counting

 

[saffronleaf]

Happy birthday to Nylander!

Smart play to bank it off the pad for a rebound, another good primary assist.

 

[mapleleaf979]

Has he been ok lately?

Same as usual. No one knows if Nylander is going to get 3 points with ease or skate with a piano on his back. He has been good lately but its not going to shock anyone if Nylander doesnt compete hard in the playoffs.

 

[Dekes For Days]

its not going to shock anyone if Nylander doesnt compete hard in the playoffs.

That would be quite shocking. He's always competed hard before, and no reason to stop now.

 

[Mickey Marner]

He and Tavares have really picked up their offense the last month or so. Good to see.

 

[ACC1224]

Same as usual. No one knows if Nylander is going to get 3 points with ease or skate with a piano on his back. He has been good lately but its not going to shock anyone if Nylander doesnt compete hard in the playoffs.

I’d be shocked. Looks like he’s finally figured it out.

 

[Notsince67]

Same as usual. No one knows if Nylander is going to get 3 points with ease or skate with a piano on his back. He has been good lately but its not going to shock anyone if Nylander doesnt compete hard in the playoffs.

He isnt perfect but no one is. His upside means a guaranteed win with the rest of the firepower. I would take by chances because if he is on, there isnt much that can stop this team.

 

[Wafflewhipper]

I would go as far as to say that if Willy plays his complete game in the playoffs teams are in for a rough go from us. Do i trust his inconsistencies? I do trust them much more than last years.

Willy going beast mode in the playoffs could put us over the top with this much improved roster. I hope he is our best player this playoff.

Willy said himself “ it’s good to play mad sometimes”. That’s advice i hope he takes from himself this entire playoff

 

[saffronleaf]

Yet another nice JT - Willy goal.

This duo struggled to execute early in the season, but in the latter half they've been great. Feels like we now have the 'two first lines' we've always wanted and expected.

Still wish the line got more ice time 5-on-5.

 

[Menzinger]

And the lowest goals against of his career

 

[Confucius]

Willy would be a 1st line center on a bad team, 2nd line center or a top line winger on most teams.

 

[zeke]

And the lowest goals against of his career

Since Keefe: 94gms, 17:25, 40gls, 83pts (82gms, 35gls, 72pts)

20th in goals and 38th in points.

 

[meefer]

The only thing I fear about Nylander is his mindset. If he wants it, the kid can dominate.

 

[LeafsOHLRangers98]

If we could ever figure out a PP we could one day see PPG Willy. Hopefully it starts in the playoffs.

 

[crump]

That last Nylander goal was a complete 5 player effort, it almost looked like a set play they’ve been working on for the PP. Galchenyuk forecheck retrieval, puck to point, Holl across to Muzzin on the left point, slide it in to Tavares in the slot who redirects the pass to a waiting Nylander who buried it. It was a beauty.

 

[Not My Tempo]

If we could ever figure out a PP we could one day see PPG Willy. Hopefully it starts in the playoffs.

I could be wrong but haven’t him and Tavares been PPG since Galchenyuk has been on their line? Probably helps when they’re not playing with Vesey or Mikheyev on his off wing

 

[ER89]

Same as usual. No one knows if Nylander is going to get 3 points with ease or skate with a piano on his back. He has been good lately but its not going to shock anyone if Nylander doesnt compete hard in the playoffs.

Post makes no sense.