Just wondering, where did I indicate that I believed that to be gospel?
How exactly is Bourne's opinion piece more insightful, more balanced?
2020-21 Maple Leafs Thread
- Thread starter gcostanza
- Start date
How exactly is Bourne's opinion piece more insightful, more balanced?
I have to admit that perhaps I’ve been guilty of over analyzing Willy’s game to be so critical of how he plays the majority of times. Perhaps I should be doing what some of you Nylander admirers are seemingly doing, just watch the few seconds of the high lights of the scoring plays that he’s involved in and totally ignore how he plays away from the puck or how he checks his assignments in the defensive zone. Maybe then I’ll become an admirer as well.
I’ve read about the support his teammates been giving him the last few days, they praise his skills and point out that Willy is often ”misunderstood“ by fans. While it’s a noble thing to support your teammate when he’s being scrutinized by fans and media, you have to wonder why there always seem to be a lot more negativities when it comes to how Willy plays.
There seems to be a “code” among players that you should never publicly criticize your teammates and any issues should be addressed behind closed doors. They belong to the same union and its understandable why they want to stick up for each other.
The only time you hear criticism from within the team would be from the coaches whose job security ties in directly to the team performance. With players who are signed to long term contracts, the only disciplinary action a coach can take would be benching when he feels that the player is not putting out the effort or is missing his assignment.
Understandably coaches don’t like to do that, especially to a key member of your core group, as that’s often viewed as humiliation by the players. Like Keefe pointed out though, a player is seldom benched for just one bad play or shift. There’s usually a buildup of events that leads to the benching and the coach has to feel frustrated enough to feel that a message has to be sent.
It was the second time that Keefe benched Nylander since becoming the Leafs coach in November 2019 and I don’t think he’s ever benched any of the top six forward as disciplinary action. Apparently he had benched Willy when coaching the Marlies.
The question I have for the Nylander admirers, is Keefe a “Nylander hater” ? Why is he always singling out Willy ? Or is he seeing the same things that we “haters” are seeing ?
I don’t think any real Leafs fans are denying that he’s not an asset for the team as he has tremendous offensive skills that some other teams are desperate for. It’s just that for some of us critics, whatever he adds
offensively doesn’t seem to work in the playoffs where you have to grind out a win as you’d be playing against teams which are much better defensively than majority of teams you face in the regular season. His effectiveness will be neutralized but his defensive lapses on the other hand would cause more damage playing against better team.
Its my humble opinion that he’s a guy that you can trade for a better “team player” who brings more to contribute towards team success. I’d love to have a guy like Josh Anderson who brings scoring, physicality and better defence. If Montreal could get him for Max Domi, you’d think that Nylander could have been enough to fetch a player like him. After all, Nylander may become a happier player to get away from a fish bowl like Toronto with critical fans and media and he may not feel as humiliated when benched.
I’ve read about the support his teammates been giving him the last few days, they praise his skills and point out that Willy is often ”misunderstood“ by fans. While it’s a noble thing to support your teammate when he’s being scrutinized by fans and media, you have to wonder why there always seem to be a lot more negativities when it comes to how Willy plays.
There seems to be a “code” among players that you should never publicly criticize your teammates and any issues should be addressed behind closed doors. They belong to the same union and its understandable why they want to stick up for each other.
The only time you hear criticism from within the team would be from the coaches whose job security ties in directly to the team performance. With players who are signed to long term contracts, the only disciplinary action a coach can take would be benching when he feels that the player is not putting out the effort or is missing his assignment.
Understandably coaches don’t like to do that, especially to a key member of your core group, as that’s often viewed as humiliation by the players. Like Keefe pointed out though, a player is seldom benched for just one bad play or shift. There’s usually a buildup of events that leads to the benching and the coach has to feel frustrated enough to feel that a message has to be sent.
It was the second time that Keefe benched Nylander since becoming the Leafs coach in November 2019 and I don’t think he’s ever benched any of the top six forward as disciplinary action. Apparently he had benched Willy when coaching the Marlies.
The question I have for the Nylander admirers, is Keefe a “Nylander hater” ? Why is he always singling out Willy ? Or is he seeing the same things that we “haters” are seeing ?
I don’t think any real Leafs fans are denying that he’s not an asset for the team as he has tremendous offensive skills that some other teams are desperate for. It’s just that for some of us critics, whatever he adds
offensively doesn’t seem to work in the playoffs where you have to grind out a win as you’d be playing against teams which are much better defensively than majority of teams you face in the regular season. His effectiveness will be neutralized but his defensive lapses on the other hand would cause more damage playing against better team.
Its my humble opinion that he’s a guy that you can trade for a better “team player” who brings more to contribute towards team success. I’d love to have a guy like Josh Anderson who brings scoring, physicality and better defence. If Montreal could get him for Max Domi, you’d think that Nylander could have been enough to fetch a player like him. After all, Nylander may become a happier player to get away from a fish bowl like Toronto with critical fans and media and he may not feel as humiliated when benched.
Why do you insist on misrepresenting the argument.
The great majority of us in here, not everyone, have and continue to extoll the skill level that he brings to the table,
not to the degree that shack does of course. I know I have for certain, even in my most recent posts.
The fact that his most avid supporters will not tolerate any criticism directed his way is the reason his deficiencies get all the added attention, why would you ignore this fact. It's pretty shameless to push back on criticism by celebrating every goal regardless of the type of goal.
At least you'll admit he has deficiencies, what would you consider to be his deficiencies?
Muzzin is a beast. You really notice a difference when he's not in the lineup.
Freddie and Matthews are still out so Campbell gets the nod tonight. He played really well last game. What a difference it makes getting wins from your backup. Remember last year?
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The information comes from an insightful, balanced reporter.
My best guess is that Freddie isn't quite 100% yet, and/or Jack may be a bit sore from the hit he took Saturday, or still tender from his initial injury.
Freddie is listed as day-to-day. And I think you're right. Campbell is still feeling the effects of that hit he took to the side of the head or he tweaked his groin again. I know they called it a "leg" injury but it looked like he originally pulled his groin. Groin injuries are bad. You take a month or more off and you think it's all better, then one reactionary save and you're back on the IR.
Nylander must have read my other post and badly wanted to prove me wrong, that was a great first period. I’m more impressed with the back check that nullified a great scoring chance for the Oilers a couple of shifts before he scored that beautiful backhand goal.
Are the Edmonton Oilers like PRC Inc., paper tigers (for those who don't follow the soccer threads).
Maybe all Hutch needed to play at his best is some competition, he was unmotivated last season. The Leafs beefed up defense allows them to play a suffocating trap, which gives the forwards extra confidence. Full marks to TJ Brodie, he knows a thing or two about McDavid. He never took the man preferring to cut down the angle, McDavid isn't Minnesota Fats. All that time spent with the Flames is to the Leafs benefit....but it's the Leafs - I'm having trouble with the current prosperity.
Maybe all Hutch needed to play at his best is some competition, he was unmotivated last season. The Leafs beefed up defense allows them to play a suffocating trap, which gives the forwards extra confidence. Full marks to TJ Brodie, he knows a thing or two about McDavid. He never took the man preferring to cut down the angle, McDavid isn't Minnesota Fats. All that time spent with the Flames is to the Leafs benefit....but it's the Leafs - I'm having trouble with the current prosperity.
