I think Willy is burnt out.

He blew his load playing for that contract.

Also he was playing more physical for a stretch of ten games or so, I wonder if he aggregated something, or if that hit he took vs Ottawa rattled him.

I just don’t want this to a conversation we need to keep having about him. So hopefully he wakes up soon.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

I don't think he's burnt out or that his contract really affected anything. He's always been streaky.

On January 7th, the day prior to signing his new contract, Nylander had 21 goals and 54 points in 37 games and was averaging 1.46 points / game.

Since January 8th, he has 42 points in 42 games and has 19 goals. So he has definitely tailed off a bit - especially considering the 1 goal and 2 assists in his past 10 games (which technically makes the post contract numbers prior to this cold streak look decent - 18 goals, 39 points in 32 games - for 1.22 points / game).

Immediately following his contract, in the 10 games between January 11 - Feb 5 he had 2 goals and 3 assists leading everyone who hates Nylander to accuse him of not caring and only playing for the contract. Then he put up 17 points in the next 10.

Instead of that, let's look at the last 10 games more closely - the 2nd line for 6 games was McMann - Tavares - Nylander. We've all been watching games. Johnny has good moments and the occasional good game, but he's not a force nor he is he carrying a line, nor is he winning even 30% of his puck battles. Nylander is already not a puck battle winner - we know this about him. He is excellent at zone exit and zone entry and he's a pretty decent distrubutor and shooter. Pair them with . . . McMann? I like McMann just fine in a bottom-6 role, but he's overmatched in the top-6 and isn't the big body board-worker that Nylander and JT would need. It's not a surprise the line wasn't working. BTW in the last 10 games at 5v5 - JT has 4 points, Nylander 3, and McMann 2. Or he's played with Holmberg and Knies (that line did look ok together), or Holmberg and Robertson

So they "distribute scoring" by moving Nylander with Kampf, where offense goes to die, and Dewar - who carries the shovel for Kampf. I mean Kampf has been offensively elite for him with 3 points in the last 10, and Dewar has 2 points - so I can see how that redistribution of offense was clearly going to work. Holmberg has 1 point in his last 10 - but Knies has 7 and Robertson has 4 goals and 5 points, so they've been doing okay.

Anyway the point is he's been a bit untethered on a line, is definitely going through a cold streak and isn't finding line mates to support him. On the Powerplay I think the entire team is struggling. Is it strictly because they're all too busy looking to feed Auston goals? Or are they getting poorer looks because the PP is too much on the perimeter? But I think we've seen Willy slump and break out in a big way before. I'm not as concerned about him.

- Atomic Wedgie

Wtf...not paying hotel bills for a couple dozen millionaires staying at the hotel?

I guess I could just compare Nazem the Dream Kadri with JT.

But it doesn't matter what argument I make. I know most of you are JT fans. I'm just not.

I would prefer Kadri and his $7M cap hit as our #2C and a much better D corp or the ability to keep UFAs from walking or just Cap flexibility the past 5 years over JT.

I mean if Captain Quiet got us to the Cup by now, I would feel different. But alas...NO.

PS Matthews should be have the C, always should've IMHO. Best player to ever wear the jersey. Best two center to ever play in the NHL.
- underhill14

The right person was handed the captaincy. Best two way center ever? Too early for that. Imo
Kadri would miss 3-4 games every playoffs.

Oh and takes more than one player to win a cup for a team.
I mean Crosby and mac have carried their teams to cups, but it doesn't seem like we have that type of player on the leafs yet.

Wtf...not paying hotel bills for a couple dozen millionaires staying at the hotel?

- Zezel

It's Murelo's regular operating procedure - for the Coyotes and for his other business interests.

The right person was handed the captaincy. Best two way center ever? Too early for that. Imo
Kadri would miss 3-4 games every playoffs.

Oh and takes more than one player to win a cup for a team.
I mean Crosby and mac have carried their teams to cups, but it doesn't seem like we have that type of player on the leafs yet.
- Fakepartofme

Really?

Not my fault you're slow.

It's Murelo's regular operating procedure - for the Coyotes and for his other business interests.
- Atomic Wedgie

To be fair, he did buy nice looking prom outfits for the entire management team to wear to the draft.

I feel like Gretzky is the best two way centre.

I never said anything disparaging, just that he’s not playing well..

But you have to go turn it into this garbage.

Imagine is Mitch had 2pts in 8 games.

But whatever.

This is what you’s like to do.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Willies always been streaky, its fine. Hes just been a little less streaky this year.
Yes i know he has 1 point in 6 games, but that just means he'll probably get 5 in the next 3 games and will be ready for the playoffs.
All good.
Also in November marner had 3pts in 7 games.
Matthews had 2pts in 7 games
It happens

Those Coyotes better not have pulled that sorry poop on the Holiday Inn Express

- Cush29

Good timing!

Good timing!
- Zezel

So surprising!

I feel like Gretzky is the best two way centre.
- Zezel

I’m old so I would go with Bobby Clarke and then Bryan Trottier.

- Cush29

Awesome.

I usually don't have much of a rooting interest in other games, especially in the west, but Vegas is such a good heel act that I'm actively cheering for them to eat a container ship full of turds and Richards mixed together.

Really?

Not my fault you're slow.
- underhill14

I feel you may have needed to have watched more hockey games. 😜

Datsyuk
Clarke
Trottier
Carbonneau
The Great one.

"Ever" is a long time

I feel like Gretzky is the best two way centre.
- Zezel

Because he has won so many Selkie Awards right..?

Do you even watch the games?

Leafs only hope is to be the road team. They have no home advantage at the morgue that is the SBC.

Because he has won so many Selkie Awards right..?

Do you even watch the games?
- Ear Hole

At least I know how to spell Selke.

Remember when there was all the talk about Leafs not having enough Canadians on the team when they sucked.

They currently have 16 good ole Canadians on the team, almost half from Ontario.

Not sure if it really matters but still kinda cool to think there is a little Leafs Pride or Canada Pride flowing thru the line up.

Just noticed, thought it was interesting.

I feel you may have needed to have watched more hockey games. 😜

Datsyuk
Clarke
Trottier
Carbonneau
The Great one.

"Ever" is a long time
- Fakepartofme

Granted I missed some of the late 80s/early 90s hockey due to hawt girls and parties...not a brag, just age met up perfectly with the 90s and Los Angeles' Sunset Strip.

BUT...he's already arguably better than some of the dudes you mentioned.

We can revisit down the road.

Leafs only hope is to be the road team. They have no home advantage at the morgue that is the SBC.
- Old Pappy

Home ice hasn't made a huge difference around the league generally in the playoffs, but I don't think atmosphere is actually a problem in Toronto during the playoffs.