William Nylander

[Frank E]

Hyman and Brown have one even-strength goal in the last 12 games. Puck Daddy recommends reuniting Matthews with Nylander...

This isn?t a case of Nylander benefiting from the privilege of jumping over the boards with Matthews, it?s a partnership that helps both sides. The reason it works is because their styles mesh perfectly.

Nylander specializes in attacking with speed on the perimeter and feeding the middle of the ice with precision passes. Matthews has made his name so far finding space in the slot for fast-release snap shots and going to the net to make use of his excellent hands. Nylander sets them up, Matthews knocks them down.

link: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/709044-155554636.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

From what I understand, Babcock likes Brown there for the defensive responsibilities. 

 

[CarltonTheBear]

From what I understand, Babcock likes Brown there for the defensive responsibilities. 

Isn't that why Hyman's there?

Anyway I think Babcock is in a bit of a tough spot there. If you put Nylander with Matthews then you take a lot of offence off the Kadri line. It's the reason why I wish he would have kept the Bozak line broken up. I think he made a mistake in putting Bozak with Komarov and Brown, that was a very strange trio, but I wish Kadri and Marner could have lasted more than a couple of periods. It should be something like:

Hyman-Matthews-Nylander
Komarov-Kadri-Marner
JVR-Bozak-Brown

Each line has an offensive duo + a more defensively responsible forward. It's a fairly obvious way to spread out our offence.

 

[herman]

Hyman-Matthews-Nylander
Komarov-Kadri-Marner
JVR-Bozak-Brown

The reason I don't think Babcock wants to do this is that the Bozak line will be missing a driver. Neither of the three have the carrying ability that Matthews, Kadri, Marner, Nylander have. Of those four, Kadri's is relatively the weakest at carry, so Nylander on his wing makes the most current sense.

I do agree that Kadri-Marner is a potential target pairing once Nylander transitions into centre (and Bozak is traded).

 

[CarltonTheBear]

The reason I don't think Babcock wants to do this is that the Bozak line will be missing a driver. Neither of the three have the carrying ability that Matthews, Kadri, Marner, Nylander have. Of those four, Kadri's is relatively the weakest at carry, so Nylander on his wing makes the most current sense.

Last year JVR was far and away the best Leaf when it came to zone entries: https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2016/04/29/toronto-maple-leafs-scoring-chances-and-zone-entries-season-review/. Maybe he doesn't do it as "flashy" as some of the other forwards you mentioned, but he was very effective at it.

 

[Redleaf]

Personally, I'd love to see a Nylander, Marner combo.

 

[herman]

The reason I don't think Babcock wants to do this is that the Bozak line will be missing a driver. Neither of the three have the carrying ability that Matthews, Kadri, Marner, Nylander have. Of those four, Kadri's is relatively the weakest at carry, so Nylander on his wing makes the most current sense.

Last year JVR was far and away the best Leaf when it came to zone entries: https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2016/04/29/toronto-maple-leafs-scoring-chances-and-zone-entries-season-review/. Maybe he doesn't do it as "flashy" as some of the other forwards you mentioned, but he was very effective at it.

For whatever reason (maybe the rising tide of talent, or the play being funneled through Marner), this year, JvR can't seem to handle the puck as well as I expected through the neutral zone, unless it's a fast break play. We'll probably have to wait until next year to see the zone entry stats for this season.

 

[herman]

Personally, I'd love to see a Nylander, Marner combo.

I think Marner is better with a lefty centre. He's a tic-tac-toe player and the difference is pretty immediate any time he plays with Kadri or Matthews.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

For whatever reason (maybe the rising tide of talent, or the play being funneled through Marner), this year, JvR can't seem to handle the puck as well as I expected through the neutral zone, unless it's a fast break play. We'll probably have to wait until next year to see the zone entry stats for this season.

Either way, we should be able to expect offence out of JVR-Bozak even without a "driver" if they're being used in that sheltered offensive role I think. I mean they aren't scrubs.

 

[herman]

Either way, we should be able to expect offence out of JVR-Bozak even without a "driver" if they're being used in that sheltered offensive role I think. I mean they aren't scrubs.

I'd be curious to see them try it. In my head, I can't really see it working.

This might be wacky interesting though:
Hyman - Matthews - Bozak
Komarov - Kadri - Marner
JvR - Nylander - Brown

Aside from faceoffs, Bozak is really quite good as a tic-tac-toe guy, and he has the speed to actually keep up. Putting him on the wing decreases his stationary defense being such a liability, and his selective, sneaky shooting gives the line a really good backdoor option when Matthews is inevitably triple-teamed. It also adds face-off insurance against top opponents.

Nylander and Brown already have chemistry from playing together on the Marlies (albeit centred by Froese). With JvR, Nylander has a lefty to play catch with in transition. Brown is the defensive conscience, backed up by Nylander's underrated pocket-picking ability. Nylander's points totals this season have been tanked by having to pass to fourth liners/Komarov all season. JvR we know can definitely handle stupid-hard (Kessel) or surprising (Marner) passes.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Babcock pre-preemptively shut down that idea earlier today

Chris Johnston @reporterchris  2 hours ago
Mike Babcock says William Nylander will remain a winger the rest of the season. His eventual transition to centre will come later on.

 

[herman]

Babcock pre-preemptively shut down that idea earlier today

Chris Johnston @reporterchris  2 hours ago
Mike Babcock says William Nylander will remain a winger the rest of the season. His eventual transition to centre will come later on.

That just means Bozak isn't getting traded at the deadline this season.

*weeps quietly

 

[Frank E]

Babcock pre-preemptively shut down that idea earlier today

Chris Johnston @reporterchris  2 hours ago
Mike Babcock says William Nylander will remain a winger the rest of the season. His eventual transition to centre will come later on.

He must have read herman's post and figured he'd best nip that thing in the bud right away.

 

[herman]

Babcock is not lying, but he's also not telling you the whole story.

Some beautiful soul posted this in reddit: https://streamable.com/wgaam

Watch the flow, and tell me he's not already playing centre.

 

[bustaheims]

That just means Bozak isn't getting traded at the deadline this season.

*weeps quietly

Or that another C is coming in as part of that deal . . . (or Laich/Froese are getting a major promotion).

 

[herman]

Video Room: Can William Nylander play centre for the Maple Leafs?
https://theathletic.com/39765/2017/02/22/video-room-can-william-nylander-play-centre-for-the-maple-leafs/

Lessons from Datsyuk (for those that can read it).

 

[disco]

https://twitter.com/jonassiegel/status/834516454062055433
Willie on the verge of setting power-play records.

MARNTHEWDERS: the Beast of the Future. Drafted 1st/4th/8th overall in 2014-16. A combined weight of 586lbs.

 

[ZBBM]

Video Room: Can William Nylander play centre for the Maple Leafs?
https://theathletic.com/39765/2017/02/22/video-room-can-william-nylander-play-centre-for-the-maple-leafs/

Lessons from Datsyuk (for those that can read it).

Please don't just link to subscription sites w/o providing a line or two of takeaways.  Presumably, anyone who already has a subscription already knows about the article, and those of us who don't can't read it.  Thanks.

 

[Kin]

I'm going to suggest something crazy. Matthews, Marner, Nylander....let's keep 'em all and build around them.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Video Room: Can William Nylander play centre for the Maple Leafs?
https://theathletic.com/39765/2017/02/22/video-room-can-william-nylander-play-centre-for-the-maple-leafs/

Lessons from Datsyuk (for those that can read it).

Please don't just link to subscription sites w/o providing a line or two of takeaways.  Presumably, anyone who already has a subscription already knows about the article, and those of us who don't can't read it.  Thanks.

In an ideal world, William Nylander slots in behind Auston Matthews as the No. 2 centre of the Maple Leafs.

The Swede, who has played on the wing most of this season, is already creating offence at an impressive pace both at even-strength and on the power play. But what will he need to incorporate into his game to become an everyday centre in the NHL?

An interesting comparable for Nylander is Montreal Canadiens forward Alex Galchenyuk.

It goes on to describe some of the growing pains Galchenyuk has had trying to play in the middle, despite being very good offensively at 5v5. There are video clips of how Datsyuk played the position defensively to illustrate what these young guys will looks to emulate.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

I'm going to suggest something crazy. Matthews, Marner, Nylander....let's keep 'em all and build around them.

Gee Willikers Mister, I think you might just be on to something!!!