And JT Miller is the perfect example of why Nylander is a passenger on the Matthews / Tavares lines, and his production is heavily impacted by playing with great players.

JT Miller went from playing with Erne and Killorn most of the time, and approx 16mins a night to 22+ mins a night with Pettersson (elite center) and Boeser - obviously increasing his points totals.
I'm not saying JT Miller is a bad player, but it's obvious that the increase in minutes + better linemates helped him alot.
that's why taking point totals as the single criteria to evaluate a player isn't very helpful.
- MaximusAurelius

JT Miller was 26/27 the first time he got more points than Nylander's rookie season of 61. Nylander is not a passenger. He creates just as much. That's just a fact, Max. Regardless of how much you don't like his game.

There is no comparison between these two.

Matthews has been sub-par in playoffs for Leafs so far, yes.
- MaximusAurelius

I don't know or care to look up the stats but didn't he have a good series vs. Washington then a sub-par first series against Boston then a decent second series?

For some reason I believe he was the Leafs leading scorer vs Washington and last series vs Boston.

I have a high fever.
- RogerRoeper

That was more directed at Max than you but I see the same arguments are still alive and well!

Between Anderssen, Gardiner and Matthews' lackluster play in game 7 last year, Leafs never had a chance to win.
If your top center isn't doing anything the whole game except giving up goals / bad chances because of lack of effort, it's normal you don't play him 30mins a night.

Kyle Connor is very good, the stinky contract on the Jets is Bryan Little.
- winsix

I agree, although there is no clear idea right now if Little ever plays again? his head injury was very serious.

Wheeler's deal in my opinion is worse, although today he is still a good player at his age the risk for a severe fall off can happen anytime and he has 4 more years left on it.

Between Anderssen, Gardiner and Matthews' lackluster play in game 7 last year, Leafs never had a chance to win.
If your top center isn't doing anything the whole game except giving up goals / bad chances because of lack of effort, it's normal you don't play him 30mins a night.
- MaximusAurelius

It's not normal to play him 18 minutes during the regular season then 18 minutues in the playoffs. Why is he being rested so much?

Between Anderssen, Gardiner and Matthews' lackluster play in game 7 last year, Leafs never had a chance to win.
If your top center isn't doing anything the whole game except giving up goals / bad chances because of lack of effort, it's normal you don't play him 30mins a night.
- MaximusAurelius

I like how you omitted the two guys you like from that, when they were arguably the worst. Not Hyman's fault, since he had a torn ACL, but Marner has no excuse.

To be fair, I thought Rielly and Kap were probably the only ones that played overly well.

I don't know or care to look up the stats but didn't he have a good series vs. Washington then a sub-par first series against Boston then a decent second series?

For some reason I believe he was the Leafs leading scorer vs Washington and last series vs Boston.
- Kinger34

Matthews has lead the team in goals and points in 2 of the 3 playoffs.



Bad playoff performer, though.

I like how you omitted the two guys you like from that, when they were arguably the worst. Not Hyman's fault, since he had a torn ACL, but Marner has no excuse.

To be fair, I thought Rielly and Kap were probably the only ones that played overly well.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Marner completely poop the bed after Game 3. It was pathetic.

I like how you omitted the two guys you like from that, when they were arguably the worst. Not Hyman's fault, since he had a torn ACL, but Marner has no excuse.

To be fair, I thought Rielly and Kap were probably the only ones that played overly well.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Marner was meh.
Anderssen gave up 2 really bad goals (1st and 3rd) and wasn't great at 2nd goal either if I remember well. The fact that he made some superb saves in third period didn't matter that much anymore.
And Gardiner and Matthews were really really bad on those 1st 2 goals.
(not to mention the blatent giveaway by Nylander on the 4th).

its pretty sweet the Leafs have a shot at #1 if they lost to clb

Kyle Connor makes 7.1, some Winnipeg Analytic folks complain about this one, Ehelrs makes 6 ( this is a steal of a deal) but overall not too many people complain about these deals. Nylander makes exactly what he should.
- Ross77

Exactly.
After this season willie makes what he should be paid.
Had a great year.
Can we move on from willie being over/underpaid and the talk of trading for a meh dman in risto aka PA-neuf part deux.
Lets move on to politics, haven't discussed that in while lol.
Cancel the season, start up in November. That way i can save 2.99 per month on my crappy cogeco bill when i remove sportsnet.
Its summer, fack hockey, its suppose to be free agent frenzy soon. Lets discuss all the players the leafs will sign.

Johnson, Joseph, and a pick for Nylander.

Between Anderssen, Gardiner and Matthews' lackluster play in game 7 last year, Leafs never had a chance to win.
If your top center isn't doing anything the whole game except giving up goals / bad chances because of lack of effort, it's normal you don't play him 30mins a night.
- MaximusAurelius

Oh and willie, grrr willie amirite?

Marner was meh.
Anderssen gave up 2 really bad goals (1st and 3rd) and wasn't great at 2nd goal either if I remember well. The fact that he made some superb saves in third period didn't matter that much anymore.
And Gardiner and Matthews were really really bad on those 1st 2 goals.
(not to mention the blatent giveaway by Nylander on the 4th).
- MaximusAurelius

Leafs lost to a better team, their goalie sig outplayed ours.

rest was a coin flip

Johnson, Joseph, and a pick for Nylander.
- GalacticStone

this is a version of every Leafs trade for the last decade where leaf fans wanted a better player for player (s) they didnt want anymore.

its a simple formula

aging declining player, middling "prospect" that is too old and they are never going to make the team anyways....and a pick

this is a version of every Leafs trade for the last decade where leaf fans wanted a better player for player (s) they didnt want anymore.

its a simple formula

aging declining player, middling "prospect" that is too old and they are never going to make the team anyways....and a pick
- senstroll

Ryder, Halak and a 2nd.

Gets you anything you need baby.

this is a version of every Leafs trade for the last decade where leaf fans wanted a better player for player (s) they didnt want anymore.

its a simple formula

aging declining player, middling "prospect" that is too old and they are never going to make the team anyways....and a pick
- senstroll

I can't argue with that. So let's spice things up a bit.

Cernak and Gourde for Nylander.

Cernak gives you a solid RHD with a physical side and Gourde is younger. Gourde is not going to win the Rocket, but he's a solid penalty killer with some offensive upside (despite being snakebitten last season).

Ryder, Halak and a 2nd.

Gets you anything you need baby.
- AdamFrench

RH2 was the solution to EVERY trade

I can't argue with that. So let's spice things up a bit.

Cernak and Gourde for Nylander.

Cernak gives you a solid RHD with a physical side and Gourde is younger. Gourde is not going to win the Rocket, but he's a solid penalty killer with some offensive upside (despite being snakebitten last season).
- GalacticStone

for me, who really likes Willie ...

its going to take a legit RHD...someone who is a top'ish pairing or close...willie hasnt even hit hit top end potential imo

for me, who really likes Willie ...

its going to take a legit RHD...someone who is a top'ish pairing or close...willie hasnt even hit hit top end potential imo
- senstroll

Cernak is not that guy. He's solid defensively, but I wouldn't put him on the top pair. He's decently mobile for a big guy. Doesn't get rattled and make hasty mistakes. But, he has a Gudas-like mean streak that often sees him going head-hunting instead of sticking to his assignment. Cannon of a shot that is under-used. He's young, so he still has a little room to blossom, but I think he's at or close to his ceiling.

He would probably slot in on the second pair. I wouldn't pair him with Rielly and drag Rielly down, but he's a not a tire fire, so he could do spot duty on the top pair if used sparingly in that role.

I'd offer McDonagh, but he's also on the decline and has a horrible contract.

for me, who really likes Willie ...

its going to take a legit RHD...someone who is a top'ish pairing or close...willie hasnt even hit hit top end potential imo
- senstroll

Hedman for Willie's hair as a transplant.

Hedman for Willie's hair as a transplant.
- AdamFrench

Willie's hair and Marner's mustache on Kucherov. (edit : Matthews' stache)

Tempting...

Willie's hair and Marner's mustache on Kucherov.

Tempting...
- GalacticStone

Marner can't grow a single facial hair. You've just played yourself.

Marner can't grow a single facial hair. You've just played yourself.
- AdamFrench

I meant Matthews.