William Nylander; Lazy, Soft… NHL Superstar.

[@the1andonly759]

As a leaf fan.. this breakdown was incredible. Please keep them coming.

[@kripzzy6732]

”As a leaf fan”

[@georgemclaughlin3197]

@@kripzzy6732 sunlight must trigger you if as a leafs fan does

[@kripzzy6732]

@@georgemclaughlin3197 not really triggering, I just think that line in hilarious

[@keithck3720]

Great breakdown. I've always admired Nylander's skill but his effort was often a drag on his performance. As you said, he's finally fully combined his skill and effort this year and he's been a monster to lead the team in goals. As you showed, that OT winner against the Wild is a perfect microcosm of his season. Even last year, he probably wouldn't have stayed with it like that. Honestly feels like he's playing with such focus since the Borje Salming ceremony and his subsequent death shortly after earlier this season.

[@ScottyEvans]

I agree completely, The Salming ceremony he was very emotional with the entire thing and seemed he really started to understand that he is a bigger part of the team. Seemed he really wanted to live out the Swedish legacy on the Leafs and live up to his name

[@kevinmacisaac4856]

Nylander is not a checker , plan n simple . So stop , he's a goal scorer .

[@-phenom-]

Nice timing on the clip where Nylander scores vs. Chi and new Leaf McCabe is clearly shown. Willy is the man! Welcome to the squad Jake! GLG!

[@pyrogaming5071]

got yourself a subscriber buddy, this was a great break down and also exactly how i feel so maybe I'm bias but he has been the best leaf this year IMO his hustle is all he was missing and he's doing it .. kinda seems like Matthews taken a back seat but i cant tell if that is because he has lazied out or nylanders just elevated that much.

[@gordonbgraham]

Marner has better numbers defensively and offensively. The only reason some people say he has been the best player is because there are lower expectations on him and more on Marner and Matthews. Expectations shouldn't be a determining factor as to who is better. Better than expected is not better than Marner or Matthews. It just isn't and he just wasn't.

[@martyjames9368]

Loving watching Nylander this year. So much fun. So skilled.

[@ChumChucka]

Great video, you nailed it. His compete level is on a different planet this season and it’s no coincidence that he’s having a career year. EZ subscribe for this type of content, keep it up.

[@h9698]

I have been saying this all year! You obviously go into more detail, fantastic video

[@Lightspeed-eo6nw]

To the eye, it’s been the effort and never quit that sticks out. The tour through the finer points of his rise was really good. Great analysis.

[@cche16]

i was a nylander fan since day 1. i was defending him online against the entire hockey world before draft day when it was rumoured the leafs were interested and prayed nonis didn't fuck up. that was almost a decade ago so to see him live up to his potential is so satisfying. real ones knew he was a unique scoring, passing and skating talent. he has improved a lot and he's still in his prime. he can consistently hit 70+ points with linemates who can keep up. he did it with tavares who is still really good but slowing down. he has never really had superstars linemates besides matthews and gets stuck with 3rd liners and the 2nd pp unit at times but has continued to perform in the regular season. he's one of the few who always shows up in the playoffs while the other stars disappear/don't perform in the big games and it doesn't get mentioned enough. put him with matthews and watch him have an even bigger year.

[@timheyer5660]

I remember all the "experts" saying Willy was overpaid at 6.9m

[@kazuhiramiller1616]

He was. This is the only season he has earned that price.

[@kenmasters2025]

um... at the time, he was.

[@willeb7052]

@@kazuhiramiller1616 no not really he hasnt done a bad season yet, just hard to stand out among Matthews and Marner

[@kazuhiramiller1616]

@@willeb7052 he was incredibly lazy since signing. Cost multiple games because of his poor effort. Only this season he's decided to try and show he is that $7m player.

[@JustaMountainbiker]

@@kazuhiramiller1616 he was worth 7 last season as well. Really turned it up come playoffs as well. This year he has performed like a 10 mil player. That’s the difference. Went from a good value contract. To one of the very best in the league this year.

[@tigerchuu2148]

$6.9 million… one of the best value contracts in the NHL and has been for the past 3 years at least. As for playoffs, recently he has consistently been the best leaf player in the playoffs

[@SuperiorSpiderMods]

Trueeeee Willy been the biggest bargain since his second year he signed it. Casual leaf fans still hate on it to this day and it’s ridiculous

[@tigerchuu2148]

@@SuperiorSpiderMods yeah, while he didn’t have the same point totals as the other $11 million players at the start, he always kept up with them for like $4 million less and now he has been on a similar level and is definitely a $10 million player by current standards

[@SuperiorSpiderMods]

@@tigerchuu2148 Absolutely. And we’ll be saying goodbye to him soon because of it.

[@SLCreations21]

I was so worried when Nylander had come back to Toronto after playing overseas, and his game really struggled - missing the Summer training camps and early start to the year with Toronto really hurt his game. Since then, he's become such an exciting player to watch, I hope he helps the team to a 2nd round this year.

[@bmaw604]

Your content is unbelievable! Great job

[@hockeypsychology]

Thank you!

[@cn240studios5]

This was great, hopefully Nylander can be a playoff hero for us this year. Time will tell.

[@modernwarfaremaniac12]

Best breakdowns on KZbin.. great vid

[@laplante1]

11/10 video man, extremely well said loved watching this

[@rivahkillah]

His willingness to play in the tough areas has increased immensely. Used to dance around the outside until he lost the puck or missed the net with a shot that barely stayed in the rink.

[@DR-kf7vh]

Nylander seems to be on every play. He took a high stick to the mouth on Kerfoot overtime goal, but moved in a position to take a pass & then dished to Gio who took the shot on goal. His saucer pass to pappy for the redirect tip. Willie, I take back everything.

[@keaters123]

He's good in the playoffs. He's better than Marner and Matthews this year for like 3.5 mil less. Leaf fans hated on him hard for awhile, he's great on a really good contract.

[@Tomn8er]

It's true. His effort level in the playoffs has been questionable as shown in that clip here, but his ability to score goals in high-pressure situations is arguably the best on the team. Matthews and especially Marner often tend to go invisible for much of the postseason.

[@andrewruggiero1735]

He's always been a star on a star studded team. He gives me mikko rants vibes.

[@danielpetrucci8952]

I sladered Nylander alot over the years but this season it's like he is a different Animal he just never gives up on plays that OT winner aginst Minnesota was just awsome he straight up theifed the Defenseman

[@ach2337]

His game changed after that tribute to Salming! The man has been a tear since then

[@Sunedosa]

@@ach2337 Willy scored 80 points last season and was more or less the only one that showed up in the playoffs. I think it started there but he's taken it up a few notches this year.

[@leonrodriguessantos]

Great Breakdown!!

[@bigrig2008]

i thought this video was really cool and im a bruins fan, so good job for making me impressed with a leafs player

[@kuningaskolassas4720]

Nice to see a leafs player finally getting some media attention

[@sean.baker7]

Great video

[@lazzereyes7466]

Heyyy!!!! Great video

[@blap5630]

Not soft or lazy, just Swedish. The smoothness of his game and effortless look of his skating gives off the impression of being lackadaisical. If he went by Bill from Calgary I bet he’d get a lot less flak for his effort from the baghead crowd

[@Icecat21]

great breakdown.

[@sammypeepus]

Nylander has always been the driving force for the leafs in the playoffs. Matthews and marnie fall asleep.

[@seniormale]

It's more like the the teams having been checking m and m very closely in the playoffs, now they will have worry about jt r O'REILLY and Nylander.

[@kozkareign9672]

Marner has always been the best player for the Leafs come playoffs, what game are you watching?

[@sammypeepus]

@@kozkareign9672 yeah 2021 playoffs marner looked REAL good...

[@stevendchu]

That's just not true. 2018 & 19 Nylander was terrible. 2021 Nylander was very good. But in 2022 he wasn't especially good until game 5. The problem was that all of their stars were shut down in game 7 when Tampa didnt give up any good looks.

[@cche16]

@@kozkareign9672 lol he went goalless for 18 straight playoff games. he himself admits he hasn't performed in the playoffs. he had a few great playoff performances on his elc (boston/washington) and hasn't been good enough based on his crazy salary and playing time (20+ mins and pp1).

[@3DWithLairdWT]

I wonder if Nylander taking up the F3 spot is why Matthews goal production is a bit down compared to the Marner Bunting line? if it works it works though

[@mckessa17]

Nylander is the most skilled player on the team, He is gradually figuring everything out.

[@roydonnahee7854]

Ever since he played in the World Juniors I have paid attention to Nylander's style of play. He never engaged in the corners, always the last man in. Never blockrd shots (Don Cherry called his avoidance of blocking shots a 'Double Flamingo') Earlier this year I observed a difference in his approach, he went into the corners and dug out the puck and fought harder. His conditioning seemed better and his scoring chances increased. He is an elusive player to say the least, however, lately I have observed him slipping back into his old ways and in many ways I think it hurt the team in the opposition's end of the ice. He will be looking for a new contract soon and I fear he will be looking for money that is similar to Mitch Marner. I believe he will be sadly disappointed. He is no where near the complete player Mitch is.

[@Fraggelmann]

I don’t think he will look for Marner money, but a raise, and he has earned that. He’s probably a ~9 million dollar player now (depending on term), and one who always shows up in the playoffs, because of his unphased nature, where he dares to play his game when many top-6 players (in general) disappear. Even during his first years in the league he was great when it mattered most.

[@bk04ft]

Your main criticism of Nylander not going into the corners applies doubly to Marner. He's not interested in puck battles on the boards at all, he'll skate by from a safe distance and swing his stick. In the playoffs teams know to cycle against his line and they might as well be short-handed. Nylander is the much more physical player and always has been. Marner is an elite skater and passer and can read plays incredibly well but at even strength his defensive presence isn't that of a "complete player."

[@AShadyDoctor]

Remember everyone saying trade him? Pepperidge Farms remembers.

[@briansquitti5419]

Yes he is . Twice he got rid of the puck as soon as a Florida player got close to him he would shoot before he had a perfect chance to score. He also on a chance to get the puck and keep it in Florida zone he came to a stop

[@plumber1192]

I still wanna see him go in corners and try for loose pucks in the playoffs tho

[@Sunedosa]

Bullshit.

[@__._._-_._.__]

it’s the new visor tint 😉 ongggg the second he changed it he did better

[@dontvoteforanybody3715]

OT winner against Wild was not a "one-handed stick lift," tho. The D-man simply over-skated the puck. Pretty clear from different angle on slo-mo.

[@proapocalypse1448]

He might even get 100 points this season and 40 plus goals. He's on pace for 93 points.

[@ShawnBlaque]

This is too perfect. All those idiots who wanted to trade him have had their heads in the sand all season lol

[@pacejulien]

Let’s GO bolts . The Maple laugh will still go out in 1st round !

[@Dbwj-so6mu]

Buddy what happened?

[@pacejulien]

@@Dbwj-so6mu first I am not your buddy , second I only root for teams that plays against the Maple Laughs ! They are still the laugh of the country and will still be for many years to come . 😝

[@Dbwj-so6mu]

bolts lost to the maple laughs though my buddy? boston, avs and bots all lost in round 1 @@pacejulien

[@pacejulien]

@@Dbwj-so6mu what’s your point? I could care less! The Maple Queefs are still the laughs of the country and still will be for many years. 🤷🏼‍♂️ get it No-Buddy 🙃

[@Dbwj-so6mu]

@@pacejulien bolts lost round 1 tho

[@gilbertayala1069]

Nylander is a SEASON PLAYER ONLY... NOT A PLAYOFFS PLAYERS...

[@plumber1192]

88 is two count it TWO points away from an all high time with 20 games left

[@rydenhaze10]

the leafs can make it out of the first round if they bring in someone like burtuzzi or perry, perry would be cheaper and he could play that 3rd line role, the team is soft in the playoffs but with ror they got the 2 way foward they needed

[@bjorncalmgren6699]

If Nylander would be from Canada he would have had more respect the way he is playing. Time to give Nylander a nice contract and the respect that he deserve!

[@dmarshall9927]

If he was from Canada he would actually bodycheck and go hard into the corners on the forecheck... hes soft as butter

[@bjorncalmgren2772]

Outside Canada there is something called the world...... Try to learn from it instead of live in your own little world ..

[@dmarshall9927]

@@bjorncalmgren2772You do realize Canada invented hockey right? And the NHL is played In canada and the US not the rest of the world. Theres a reason Canada dominates hockey worldwide.

[@bjorncalmgren2772]

Britain,Ireland Ice hockey birthplace

[@bjorncalmgren2772]

Canada dominating......really😁

[@AaronStephenTaylor]

Hmm... I remember that goal where he blew by the Chicago D man and the guy blew a tire so Willy could really get some space. The D man? Jake McCabe. Just sayin.

[@gerardpaiva6226]

In regular season or playoffs?

[@willeb7052]

both he's the only one that does the job in the playoffs

[@Bells2141]

I don’t think it’s laziness, I feel like he holds back….and his decision to hold back may be driven by financial reasons

[@Nimajneb42069]

Yeah I love nylander but saying he’s just as impactful as Matthews is crazy

[@leeham6230]

IMO, he's the MVP

[@teej1774]

can you do a vid like this but for nuge

[@garwac01]

Bro be honest are you a leafs fan??

[@hockeypsychology]

I am!

[@garwac01]

@@hockeypsychology nooooooo 😂😂😂 I'll still watch you tho

[@i3rody_k474]

I remember when people hated him, look at him now

[@trickygnome6430]

I feel it´s mostly the other BIG 3 that tend to fall off in the playoffs. both kept up to his point pace in the playoffs and always torn it up internationally in WCs.

[@pavlovshouse77]

And yet year after year in the playoffs (such as they are) he is their most dangerous and consistent forward. Where is Marner.

[@weenieh23]

Toronto's first line is the deadliest in the league. You shut down Nylander? There's still an Auston Matthews. Despite having a slow year, Matthews is one of the two guys that has the potential to be the best player in every single game he plays

[@drewachtem9316]

Connor McDavid, Zach Hyman, Evander Kane (when healthy)

[@weenieh23]

@@drewachtem9316 Matthews Nylander and Bunting (sometimes) are all better than Hyman and Kane. And Matthews can play with McDavid, and has had better stretches and seasons.

[@NoBeber]

If the leafs don’t make it out of the first round this season, I would be extremely disappointed Again

[@foxlake6750]

So will the GM and the coach……heads will roll. They have all the tools, but need to stop playing down to teams

[@1822erik]

Next contract 10 mil easy

[@sveannnnnnn7578]

you are wrong, he do trying all the time, when he fails he fails, but when he succed it looks easy.

[@samclark4595]

out in the first round boyos

[@its_grev]

Watched him carve up the Wild down low on a turnover in OT. Turned to my son and was like “Yup. Good stuff.” We’re Wild fans.

[@RVIZOtheSIN]

What threat? They got destroyed by the oilers especially holl lol

[@gordonbgraham]

Look if you're going to challenge the narrative of Nylander being gutless you should include footage of him backing out of contact...which there is plenty of. Everyone knows Nylander's upside. Why shy away from putting up the "gutless" footage? It takes away from your position when you don't address the turnbacks, or the giving up on plays because he doesn't want to get hit. That footage is out there. You show him making elite plays while ignoring the other half of Willy...which isn't good. I recommend a more balanced presentation unless all you want to convince are those who are already convinced that Willy isn't gutless.

[@plumber1192]

GLG

[@pilbomags488]

What is wrong with his head? he looks odd, or is it his style of helmet . He has a tiny face and the helmet is larger than other players, so it makes him look odd.

[@TheKitKatThe]

partially, but he also has changed to a tinted visor this year

[@alexjones6190]

I'm gay too

[@drunkviggo7263]

Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner are soft as well.

[@leoreacts6066]

Didnt watch the vid but im guessing its about the paint.

[@J.CashDro]

... u should watch then

[@leoreacts6066]

@@J.CashDro Just did

[@jdnnle6]

I really hate these clickbait thumbnails and titles. Such an annoying trend

[@jtwilliams8895]

And… lost in 5 against the 8 seed. Not good

[@bluetocop]

fickle bunch

[@jordancollins8253]

Please keep this video away from Tampa

[@dannymuskardin9482]

Great content! Leafs lose in 7 of 1st round.

[@Dave-ld3dr]

Funny how good you can play when you never get hit.Lots of stars in a non contact league.Anyone want to tell me his list of injuries since joining the Leafs & how many games he’s missed??One of these days someone will figure out that all you have to do is hit these guys.Problem is you’ll go straight to the box.Your not allowed to hit Toronto or your giving them a PP.

[@Sunedosa]

Awww born in the wrong decade are we ?

[@asliketheson]

He could be so much better

[@DeeDeevanGogh]

This video did not age well lol