William Nylander

[McGarnagle]

I think one of the things that makes Nylander so fascinating right now is that unlike Matthews or Marner, there seems to be a lot more uncertainty as to the kind of player he'll eventually be.

Let alone what kind of player, but even what position he'll settle into. Out of three elite rookie forwards, I think his game has improved the most from season start to current. There'd be stretches early on when he looked almost disinterested on the ice. It looks like he's really started figuring it out.

 

[Highlander]

I think one of the things that makes Nylander so fascinating right now is that unlike Matthews or Marner, there seems to be a lot more uncertainty as to the kind of player he'll eventually be.

Let alone what kind of player, but even what position he'll settle into. Out of three elite rookie forwards, I think his game has improved the most from season start to current. There'd be stretches early on when he looked almost disinterested on the ice. It looks like he's really started figuring it out.

Ya, Willie could be the real sleeper in the gang of 3.  I think he is going to be a great one.

 

[disco]

Good on them having Willie a winger this year so he can learn other things and not have to worry about the center responsibilities just yet.
Eventually down the middle:
Matthews
Nylander
Kadri
Bozak/Boyle
... not too shabby.

 

[KGB]

I agree that he's improved himself since the start of the season -- can anyone imagine him being scratched at this point?  You watch that goal against the Flyers and then you think about the fact that this guy's only our third best rookie.  Third best??  Any other season in the past 30 and he'd have us in a lather over the fact that we finally drafted a bona fide blue chipper.  I'm not a fair weather fan but I haven't been this emotionally involved with the Leafs since the Quinn/Sundin years. 

 

[disco]

I agree that he's improved himself since the start of the season -- can anyone imagine him being scratched at this point?  You watch that goal against the Flyers and then you think about the fact that this guy's only our third best rookie.  Third best??  Any other season in the past 30 and he'd have us in a lather over the fact that we finally drafted a bona fide blue chipper.  I'm not a fair weather fan but I haven't been this emotionally involved with the Leafs since the Quinn/Sundin years.

I know, I was just thinking that. A Marner, Matthews or Nylander alone in any other year is exceptional for this club. But three of them in one year ;D

Last year's pick was a center ready to go, two years ago it was a highly-skilled winger who played on more year of junior, and three years ago another skilled winger/center who is playing winger this year. All three basically entering at the same time. Along with the other complimentary rookies, this team makes a 25-point jump from last year.

 

[disco]

https://twitter.com/Goal_Leafs_Goal/status/844019829157838848

 

[herman]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZxP4tuCrgM[/youtube]

Worth a re-watch. A lot of things had to go right, incidentally, for this to happen.

Bozak is in position to corral the Mitch Marner turnover that got dumped deep because his stick was ripped form his hands a few seconds earlier and he went back to get it.

Nylander was trapped on the change, out of gas, and then tripped at his blueline, so he was ignored by the defense, before Bozak fires a great area pass for the outlet. Apparently Nylander running on fumes is still plenty fast.

?I just saw there was a guy backchecking on me and I was tired so I just wanted to get it to the net and it went in, so I was happy,? Nylander said. ?Great pass by Tyler (Bozak), very good pass.?

Korpisalo cut off the angle all the way to the circle, but was caught leaning to the glove side on his wiggle back to match Nylander's speed, and gave all the room Willy needed to go bar-in.

 

[Arn]

Nylander's trade value is SO high right now

 

[Bullfrog]

Nylander's trade value is SO high right now

 

[ZBBM]

I am in love with this young fellow.

 

[Zee]

I am in love with this young fellow.

There are many young fellows on this team that I love.  Never seen a Leafs team with a brighter future in my lifetime.

 

[bustaheims]

Remember when the Leafs were dumb for not having drafted Larkin instead of Nylander, because Detroit is awesome at drafting? Larkin has a whopping 5 more points in 57 more career games, and Nylander has already surpassed Larkin's rookie season by 9 points.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Remember when the Leafs were dumb for not having drafted Larkin instead of Nylander, because Detroit is awesome at drafting? Larkin has a whopping 5 more points in 57 more career games, and Nylander has already surpassed Larkin's rookie season by 9 points.

You guys don't get it.  Detroit's scouts are the best in the league.  They have drafted guys in the 6th round and they went on to be superstars.  They know what you're doing.  Some of you on here are just up on your high horse trying to be right all the time.

 

[bustaheims]

Remember when the Leafs were dumb for not having drafted Larkin instead of Nylander, because Detroit is awesome at drafting? Larkin has a whopping 5 more points in 57 more career games, and Nylander has already surpassed Larkin's rookie season by 9 points.

You guys don't get it.  Detroit's scouts are the best in the league.  They have drafted guys in the 6th round and they went on to be superstars.  They know what you're doing.  Some of you on here are just up on your high horse trying to be right all the time.

Well played. ;D

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Remember when the Leafs were dumb for not having drafted Larkin instead of Nylander, because Detroit is awesome at drafting? Larkin has a whopping 5 more points in 57 more career games, and Nylander has already surpassed Larkin's rookie season by 9 points.

You guys don't get it.  Detroit's scouts are the best in the league.  They have drafted guys in the 6th round and they went on to be superstars.  They know what you're doing.  Some of you on here are just up on your high horse trying to be right all the time.

Well played. ;D

Old threads are the best.

 

[Kin]

[tweet]848217688015032320[/tweet]

 

[L K]

October - William Nylander
November - Zach Werenski
December - Auston Matthews
January - Mitch Marner
February - Patrick Laine
March - William Nylander

4 of 6 months going to Leaf rookies.  Nylander is the only 2 time winner.

 

[Highlander]

Willy is Silly (Good)

 

[ZBBM]

Say what you will, but Larkin is the kind of guy you go to war with.  Nylander is Floaty McFloatface.

 

[bustaheims]

Say what you will, but Larkin is the kind of guy you go to war with.  Nylander is Floaty McFloatface.

There's this other guy who was well known for his ability to float . . .