Skworsh
Joined: Jul. 2019
Posts: 36
Likes: 14
I'm not sure he's an elite playmaker, at the moment (though it is true he has been 'snakebitten': maybe there's a reason: boomers say it's cuz he's a perimeter player). His zone entries are pretty consistently awesome (although I get frustrated that he uses the stop up A LOT, from an enjoyment POV lol).
Defensively he has a lot of lapses; it's kind of a "the best defense is a good offense" as far as the stats go. Nylander is good at taking the pass/stretch pass and taking it to the other end, meaning less shots from failed zone exits. Nylander also starts in the OZ a lot. Meaning more shots.
An eye test on his defense shows he leaves players open semi regularly because he's floating back or playing position instead of hounding on the puck a bit more.
That said, away from the puck he looked better vs Washington and his forechecking actually lead to a goal.
TLDR I don't think he's elite at the moment but he has the upside imo (Vision, poise, shot, skating) and the endorsement of Nik Backstrom (who said he could be Sweden's best player soon). If he continues to be engaged away from the puck and diversify his game overall he'd be truly elite IMO.