C Mitchell Marner - London Knights, OHL (2015, 4th, TOR) IV

[Wats]

How does he compare to Drouin? Craftier/better skater?

 

[Fogelhund]

I'm not expecting as much from Strome. I'm not a big fan. But I'm hoping I'm wrong. I see it playing out much like Sam Reinhart in 2014 in Malmo, not overly impressive. If I'm wrong, and Strome lights it up, then giddy up.

If Strome and Marner are on a line together, which is an expected at this point, they should put up plenty of points working together. As much as people try to downplay Strome, and what I've seen of him play, it hasn't been much flash... he's still got more points this season than our Mitch.. he is just effective. I'm looking forward to seeing Strome in the WJC, to see how he is playing now.. haven't seen him in a bit, but mostly looking forward to seeing the Leafs prospects.

Also, there is no way Marner plays OHL next year... a real shame that there isn't an exemption clause for certain players to play AHL, as a year or half a year there would do him good.

 

[Pi]

That's absolutely disgusting.

Tip: People are going to say that this won't work in the NHL, and they are right. Marner is smart enough not to try those moves against NHL'ers but the fact that he has so many different ways to evade defenders shows that he is very elusive with the puck.

No reason why he can't just use his raw speed like most stars in the NHL do.

 

[bobbyt 91*]

Not by a good margin. No one that watches all their games would ever agree to that. In fact, I've only ever seen Leaf fans say that. Wonder why that is...

I have noticed that Hunter will bench Marner-Dvorak when the game is a blowout so they don't run up the score but when watching D.Strome and Debrincat(sp?) they get played consistently no matter the score. I am willing to bet that Marner and Dvorak's p/60 is higher than Strome and Debringcats

 

[HockeyGuruPitka]

Marner is a supremely talented player now doubting that. However as I have mentioned previously Mike Babcock deploys a style that requires all players to play a heavier game along the boards at 5v5. Marner is not ready physically to play this way. We may see him spending some more time in the minors.

Unless the leafs plan on deploying him like they are with brad Boyes.

 

[TheGroceryStick]

How does he compare to Drouin? Craftier/better skater?

To me they are very very similar in the way they control the flow and virtually cover the whole ice, demand the puck in all 3 zones.

 

[crump]

huh? He did do the spinorama off the boards to himself, you can see the direction of the puck as it leaves it's stick, it's not going to the player in the corner, it's going towards the boards at an angle so it bounces back to him.

Don't think so. The puck went at a right angle towards the boards, then it was coming back at an acute angle out of the zone. That guy in the corner had moved up out of frame and tapped it forward. That's my take on it. Regardless it was a impressive(if not chancy move) if it was a spinorama to himself, the guy has Glegarry Glenross brass balls.

 

[Beyonder91]

Don't think so. The puck went at a right angle towards the boards, then it was coming back at an acute angle out of the zone. That guy in the corner had moved up out of frame and tapped it forward. That's my take on it. Regardless it was a impressive(if not chancy move) if it was a spinorama to himself, the guy has Glegarry Glenross brass balls.

Not sure what play you are watching but that was an in-direct pass by Marner off the boards to himself. No question about it...

I was watching on TV when it happened and nearly **** myself.

 

[WilliamNylander]

Don't think so. The puck went at a right angle towards the boards, then it was coming back at an acute angle out of the zone. That guy in the corner had moved up out of frame and tapped it forward. That's my take on it. Regardless it was a impressive(if not chancy move) if it was a spinorama to himself, the guy has Glegarry Glenross brass balls.

Lol just watch Mitch... That's clearly a play to himself. Pretty obvious too.

I wonder if he plays with Nylander next year or if the Leafs decide to try and split the kids up for more offence.

 

[bigdirty]

Marner

Marner definitely needs to bulk up if he wants to play in the NHL. He looks like a child.

 

[Ronald Ocean]

Are we seriously talking about the angle his blade was and the angle he passed the puck to himself off the boards? Never change HF.

 

[Peasy]

How does he compare to Drouin? Craftier/better skater?

I'd say craftier and better vision, his skating is really good too, not too familiar with Drouin's skating though. During the Subway series people were blown away with the vision he had.

 

[VictorLustig]

I'd say craftier and better vision, his skating is really good too, not too familiar with Drouin's skating though. During the Subway series people were blown away with the vision he had.

He doesn't have better hands or vision than Drouin. However, he does have a bit quicker feet and a bit higher IQ.

 

[Shwaguy*]

Not by a good margin. No one that watches all their games would ever agree to that. In fact, I've only ever seen Leaf fans say that. Wonder why that is...

The difference between a top 3 (Possibly top 1 depending on how you view Strome/Nylander) and a top 20 prospect is definitely a "good margin"


And I watch plenty of Knights games. Leaf fans almost definitely watch more Knights games than any other NHL fanbase. That's not a debate. They play in a Toronto Market and They have possibly the top prospect in the world playing for that team, along with another C prospect in Piccinich.

 

[Shwaguy*]

He doesn't have better hands or vision than Drouin. However, he does have a bit quicker feet and a bit higher IQ.

Both have similar hands and vision.

And Marner has those two advantages you mentioned and is a couple steps ahead defensively. I'm comfortable saying Marner had the edge as a prospect, but I'm a Leafs fan and if someone disagrees with that I'd understand. Can't wait to see him at the Juniors.

 

[Paradoc]

Both have similar hands and vision.

And Marner has those two advantages you mentioned and is a couple steps ahead defensively. I'm comfortable saying Marner had the edge as a prospect, but I'm a Leafs fan and if someone disagrees with that I'd understand. Can't wait to see him at the Juniors.

Drouin has a better shot, hands and skating. Everything else Marner has an edge or its close, imo.

 

[snizzbone*]

Drouin has a better shot, hands and skating. Everything else Marner has an edge or its close, imo.

Don't see how Drouin has a better shot.. guy can't score goals to save his life.

 

[supermann_98]

So I'm watching those highlights and I'm blown away by this kids hands and patience. If this kid was 6'4 we'd be talking about him in terms of Mario-esqe

 

[VictorLustig]

So I'm watching those highlights and I'm blown away by this kids hands and patience. If this kid was 6'4 we'd be talking about him in terms of Mario-esqe

Sure, but it's way, way more difficult to do those things with a big body.

 

[tooncesmeow]

That's all fine and good but who do you have on the blue line and which tire-fire is between the pipes?

As much as I love the skill in that top 9, until defense and goaltending is addressed it smacks of Oilers 2.0

Actually the goaltending has been ok and Gardiner-Phaneuf is a stable pairing while Rielly is great as a #1, just need a #2 or #3 defense-first guy like Beauchemin was for us or like Methot, Hamhuis, etc.

 

[Semantics]

Don't see how Drouin has a better shot.. guy can't score goals to save his life.

I think that's because he's too much of a perimeter player, but also Drouin scored goals at a higher rate than Marner in junior.

 

[Canada4Gold]

I'm not expecting as much from Strome. I'm not a big fan. But I'm hoping I'm wrong. I see it playing out much like Sam Reinhart in 2014 in Malmo, not overly impressive. If I'm wrong, and Strome lights it up, then giddy up.

Even if that's so Reinhart was a top 6 center last year and helped Domi and Duclair like I see Strome helping Marner. Reinhart had 11 points last year.

and then Point is going to be a top 6 center as 1 of only 2 returning forwards and leading the WHL in points before he got hurt. There isn't any room for Barzal to play that big role at center. He'll likely be the 3rd line center or be moved to wing. I love Barzal and would have drafted him at 6, but he's 3rd on the center depth chart this year.

Don't think so. The puck went at a right angle towards the boards, then it was coming back at an acute angle out of the zone. That guy in the corner had moved up out of frame and tapped it forward. That's my take on it. Regardless it was a impressive(if not chancy move) if it was a spinorama to himself, the guy has Glegarry Glenross brass balls.

You see that puck going at a right angle? Wow, looks more like a 50-60 degree angle to me, imo it's pretty clear that was a pass off the boards to himself. The gif even zooms out right before it hits the boards, you can see the puck there and that player in the corner is nowhere near it, he's still of screen in the corner

 

[buttman*]

How does he compare to Drouin? Craftier/better skater?

Drouin has better hands. Marner is smarter. Not that either lacks in those areas, it's just Douin has elite hands and Marner has elite hockey sense.

 

[UsernameWasTaken]

Marner scored this year's teddy bear toss goal

 

[figure]

Short handed break away, guess where he put it? Bar down with that simple, effective, non dazzling straight to the point efficiency that makes Marner so consistent.