Anything to get Nylander to score more points... my pool could use him...

They'll come regardless but I think what would open the flood gates for Nylander is if moves closer to the net and its not easy right now. Mainly because when he comes flying in with the puck, Matthews is stopping in his spot around the dots and Johnsson is too small to push guys lower so the opposition is just keeping Nylander to the perimeter and just try to take away that space. I think Tavares with how he plays, he plays close to the net so he'd just keep moving in close which could cause a defenceman to lose positioning on Nylander and let him get in better scoring areas and then feed Tavares or score more. Or, Matthews needs to start forcing his way to the net. Get 10-15 goals from in close and people will back off on him everywhere else and then he can really start scoring (which is hilarious to say considering he has 11 goals in 15 games. )

This is true and I'm seeing what you're seeing about Nylander with Tavares.

The thing with Mathews is, with injuries last year, he's backed off from going into the dirtier areas. I noticing he's turning slowly into a perimeter player and using less and less of his body to get into a scoring position. Don't get me wrong, Mathews is a hell of a player and is very much capable of scoring 40-50 goals. I think you're right about sticking him with Marner as he has the vision to feed Mathews from across the ice, no issues.

So does, Nylander, but Marner does tend to try to get closer to the net more than Nylander. So I think even if its temporary just so Nylander can see, "Oh if I get my centre the puck closer to the net for tap ins and stuff, the goalie and defenders will back off me and I'll get better scoring chances as well." Then he may carry that forward and make Matthews better by getting him to go closer to the net. I think Nylander should be a 35 goal scorer and 90 point player if he can get his entire game to where it can be, but for that to happen he needs a coach that is going to help him understand where he can improve, not bench him because he needs a whipping boy.

Babs sucks.

If Babs does get canned, who's next in line to replace him?

why not matthews-nylander-marner, Hyman-tavares-kapanen

Not a bad idea in my opinion. They should also use Nylander on the perimeter on the top PP, he has an underrated shot IMO and he can also pass very well. Back when their power play was the best 2 years ago, Matthew sand Nylander were the perimeter players on the PP, and Marner was with Bozak and JVR on the other. I don't think Nylander was utilized properly on that top PP during Tavares absence either.

Keefe, and I think its sort of planned. Personally I have little faith that Babs is going to figure out how to make this roster work and he'll fail in the playoffs again and get replaced. Even if he wins a round or two I think he could get canned depending on how they end up going to the conference finals.

Nylander hasn't been properly utilized for 2 years. He's a terrific player and a hell of a lot closer to Marner than most want to even consider. Its not his choice that Babs treats him like an afterthought most of the time.

I'd rather see Kerfoot with Johnsson and Kapanen and Mikheyev with Matthews and Nylander. I'd also like to see a loaded up top line sometimes of Tavares centering Nylander and Matthews. You wouldn't use it every game but if you are down a goal in the 3rd or are taking on Boston or Tampa with a loaded up top line, I'd go fire with fire and then let the rest of the Leafs superior depth do their thing against weaker competition.

Again all these ideas require a head coach that can see past his own ego.

I really do believe that good short and long term move is to switch Nylander to center and let him develop into a reliable two way playmaking center.

it's insane how much value Matthews provides although he is terrible in his own zone. It speaks to his ability to generate offense and change the game with his elite shot.

It wouldn't hurt, I am not sure TO has the right roster for that though. Nylander is better as a play maker than a goal scorer and the best two goal scorers on the Leafs are Tavares and Matthews, moving Nylander away from them limits his ability to make plays. Last year in the playoffs is what I fear most, a terrific play maker putting the puck on two no skill 4th liners and then Nylander getting blamed when they can't score.

I think hyman-tavares-kapanen could be used against opposing teams top lines in the short term as both wingers excel in their own zone. Tavares is average at best defensively, he exerts so much energy in the offensive zone he lacks the speed to back check effectively. Let Matthews-nylander-marner face lesser competition while nylander develops his defensive game - cup contenders need centers that are just as good in their own zone.

I just don't see the same things as most. Tavares is terrific at everything, offense, defence and in the neutral zone. I don't get why people think so highly of Kapanen. He's a decent PK guy and has speed to burn but he is often blowing the zone looking for odd man rushes. I think he wants to be Nylander but talks like he wants to be Hyman and is less than either. I also don't think having a old school shutdown line works. The best way to beat Boston's top line is to pin them in their own zone and force them to defend. The best way to do that would he to match up the Leafs 3 best skaters against them and in my opinion Nylander's ability to gain the zone with control makes him the better choice to work with a super line of Matthews and Tavares.