Quote:
Originally Posted by New Era
I've seen more than enough of Nylander. Watching Steelhead games is what got me turned on to McLeod. Nylander was underwhelming and McLeod stole his thunder in each game. What really cemented my view on Nylander was his play at internationals against the best of his peer group. He's great against the likes of the Swiss, then disappears against the big teams. I really don't give a damn about his awesome skill set if he doesn't have the ability to step it up when it counts. He plays smaller than he is, and that is not what the Flames need, no matter how much skill he has. They already have a collection of small players with skill. They need some bodies with size that can bang and get their nose dirty. That player isn't a Nylander.
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That's not what the numbers say.
Here is Alexanders World Junior log.
Game 1: vs Swi - 4 Assists in a 8-3 win
Game 2: vs USA - 1 Goal in a 1-0 win
Game 3: vs Den - 1 Goal in a 5-0 win
Game 4: vs Can - 1 Goal, 1 Assist in a 5-1 win
Game 5: vs Svk - 1 Goal in a 6-0 win
Game 6: Semis vs Finland - no points. 2-1 loss. Laine, Puljujarvi also held pointless in this game
Game 7: Semi's loser matchup AKA Bronze medal game - pointless
Game 1: vs Lat - 1 Goal in a 4-3 Game-tying goal in dying seconds
Game 2: vs USA - 1 Assist in a 6-1 loss, 5 SOG
Game 3: vs Swi - 2 Goal, 4 Assists in a 8-1 win
Game 4: vs Rus - no points in a 5-1 win, 4 SOG, +2
Game 5: vs Svk - no points in a 7-2 win, 5 SOG, Even
Game 6: vs Can - 2 Assists in a 6-5 win, 7 SOG, Even
Game 7: vs Swe - Finals - 1 Assist in a 6-1 loss, 1 SOG, Even (Puljujarvi hat-trick) Safe to say his whole team didn't show up?
It's obvious you've done some stat watching yourself and his 2 biggest games are vs Swiss that's why you used it as an example. But you ignore his point total vs Canada, USA, Sweden. He's usually getting decent number of shots on net.
As far as I remember he was one of the best forwards at the World Juniors. From all accounts he struggled a bit at the U18. Which tournament would be a better measuring stick U18 or U20? He finished the season having played 92 games this year, compared to his season before when he played 82. So maybe he's getting tired.
Verdict? Nylander doesn't disappear on the big stage. All the qualities are there for him to be a top liner in the NHL, if the Flames can land him at #6, they better do it.