If he's our best chance -- because he's quite good -- then why are we trading him?
- gravyface

Addition by subtraction.

Lol..

One mistake? His entire approach to the game the problem. He doesn’t want to get touched out there, he avoids contact at all costs. That’s not the way, and has never been the way, to play hockey. He needs to understand that he can’t be a kid all his life, he adjust to that. Matthews and Marner are learning it also. That’s what Ovi was saying, that’s what the coach says, that’s what all the former NHL’ers on TSN (fück SN) say they need to do...

But the Branch Nylandians prefer to make graphs and charts to show Willy’s zone entries and “primary shot assists” to “prove” that he’s effective.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

This model shows how easy it's done to prove that. Willie is a World beater!

You can’t handle any criticism of Willy..

He’s been awful ever since he’s been expected to play a more complete game.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

No, that's the thing: I can. He wasn't good last night; either was Matthews. Those guys were invisible for 40 minutes. Marner turned it up when it counted, so kudos to that.

That's really all there is to it I don't have a hate-on for any player; even Marincin or Ceci, because I think they're bottom pairing players in a mismatched role.

Addition by subtraction.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Extremist views. Hard pass.

Glendening gives you grit. Johnsson and a second please.

No, that's the thing: I can. He wasn't good last night; either was Matthews. Those guys were invisible for 40 minutes. Marner turned it up when it counted, so kudos to that.

That's really all there is to it I don't have a hate-on for any player; even Marincin or Ceci, because I think they're bottom pairing players in a mismatched role.
- gravyface

Nylander is dragging down Matthews 100% ....

This model shows how easy it's done to prove that. Willie is a World beater!

- 21peter

Glendening gives you grit. Johnsson and a second please.
- RafiDRW

This is your dumbest post ever.

I rarely have anything bad to say about him. I like his jam. He brings it every game.

Nylander is dragging down Matthews 100% ....
- CarlitoBrigante

Dude, come on.

Matthews is supposed to be the greatest 5v5 goal scorer in the league, our heralded franchise (dare say, generational?) center we've been waiting for since Sundin... and that awful Nylander kid, how dare he carry the puck like a champ and have the audacity to look to feed the Almighty Matthews tee-ups all game?

Nylander had a bad game. But the 10M duo have been ok-to-good (not great) for the majority of the season. Matthews has all the tools to be a force and he's as much of a floater as the rest of them are.

The whole team needs a work ethic wake-up call: for Babcock's sake, it better be with the return of JT and Hyman to instill some desire and motivation in our top 6 because all they're getting is cherry OZ starts while poor Goat and company are getting shelled with all the DZ starts.

No, that's the thing: I can. He wasn't good last night; either was Matthews. Those guys were invisible for 40 minutes. Marner turned it up when it counted, so kudos to that.

That's really all there is to it I don't have a hate-on for any player; even Marincin or Ceci, because I think they're bottom pairing players in a mismatched role.
- gravyface

Matthews did the same thing Nylander did midway through the 3rd.

Idk if anyone caught it...it resulted in a scoring chance but not a goal which is why it went unnoticed.

This is your dumbest post ever.

I rarely have anything bad to say about him. I like his jam. He brings it every game.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

My dumbest post ever?!

You must not read my A-material.

Nylander is dragging down Matthews 100% ....
- CarlitoBrigante

Mhm

No, that's the thing: I can. He wasn't good last night; either was Matthews. Those guys were invisible for 40 minutes. Marner turned it up when it counted, so kudos to that.

That's really all there is to it I don't have a hate-on for any player; even Marincin or Ceci, because I think they're bottom pairing players in a mismatched role.
- gravyface

I don’t really either.. I’m always saying positive things about Willy and others. Because there are positives to his game. But the whole picture, salary included, it isn’t what this team needs. I am a product of 90’s/2000’s Leafs hockey, and I do enjoy the more physical games, but I did give the bubble-wrap hockey a chance. What is becoming evidently clear is that the Leafs took the bait hook-line-sinker, while other teams were more cautious about going full-Disney on ice. The pendulum always seems to swing back and forth in hockey. Trends catch on, and die off just as fast.

I don’t really either.. I’m always saying positive things about Willy and others. Because there are positives to his game. But the whole picture, salary included, it isn’t what this team needs. I am a product of 90’s/2000’s Leafs hockey, and I do enjoy the more physical games, but I did give the bubble-wrap hockey a chance. What is becoming evidently clear is that the Leafs took the bait hook-line-sinker, while other teams were more cautious about going full-Disney on ice. The pendulum always seems to swing back and forth in hockey. Trends catch on, and die off just as fast.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Nylander at 7 is fine

Marner at 11 is a bit poopty but it works once JT is back

Marner isn’t good in his own zone, it’s getting noticed once a top two way Center isn’t playing with him....

It’s sucks, but they are both high end players that will be both needed to play at their high levels if we want to win a cup.

Babs can tell them this all day, they need to act on it.

My dumbest post ever?!

You must not read my A-material.
- RafiDRW

Lol..

How’s Detroy-It?

Is that how ppl say it there? Or it more like when shady says De-troit..

Lol..

How’s Detroy-It?

Is that how ppl say it there? Or it more like when shady says De-troit..
- Arctic_AARDVARK

The latter version is correct.

And we suck. Firmly getting the first overall draft pick. We have three very good players in Mantha, Larkin and Hronek. The rest are plugs.

The latter version is correct.

And we suck. Firmly getting the first overall draft pick. We have three very good players in Mantha, Larkin and Hronek. The rest are plugs.
- RafiDRW

Lol.. poopty.. I guess Hicketts didn’t pan out? Zadina?

Who would you prefer, Lafreniere or Byfeild?

The latter version is correct.

And we suck. Firmly getting the first overall draft pick. We have three very good players in Mantha, Larkin and Hronek. The rest are plugs.
- RafiDRW

Ah the good old days of Kessel, JVR and Rielly.

Nylander is dragging down Matthews 100% ....
- CarlitoBrigante

That’s funny.

Lol.. poopty.. I guess Hicketts didn’t pan out? Zadina?

Who would you prefer, Lafreniere or Byfeild?
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Hicketts is a fringe NHLer, very good AHLer. Good depth for a contending team.

Zadina is starting to find his stride in Grand Rapids but has a bit to go.

Honestly, a big center with a scoring touch is great. But we can’t deny we need someone of Laffy’s talent and scoring talents. I’m hoping we trade someone for a first that is low and get Stuetzl as well.

Ah the good old days of Kessel, JVR and Rielly.
- Santo_44

Oh (frank). Didn’t realize we’d fallen down THAT low.

Hicketts is a fringe NHLer, very good AHLer. Good depth for a contending team.

Zadina is starting to find his stride in Grand Rapids but has a bit to go.

Honestly, a big center with a scoring touch is great. But we can’t deny we need someone of Laffy’s talent and scoring talents. I’m hoping we trade someone for a first that is low and get Stuetzl as well.
- RafiDRW

I think you’d have to go with Alexis, too. Never heard of Stuetzl, but he might be alright.

I wonder if Zadina is taking a bit because there isn’t much talent around him?

I think you’d have to go with Alexis, too. Never heard of Stuetzl, but he might be alright.

I wonder if Zadina is taking a bit because there isn’t much talent around him?
- Arctic_AARDVARK

That’s part of it. He seems like he’s having a bit of a slow time adjusting to pro hockey. You can see his skill and shot but it’s taking his time. He was second in scoring last year in the AHL for U20 rookies, so I’m not too worried about it.

That’s funny.
- Canada Cup

Remember when it was Hyman dragging down Matthews?

Remember when it was Hyman dragging down Matthews?
- gravyface

They all have to play as a unit..

If Willy is puck hogging and button hooking not hitting an open Matthews, then that doesn’t help anyone much. If Matthews isn’t winning battles against smaller players then that isn’t helping either. Johnsson seems to be the steadiest on that line. He has a lot of Kadri in him.