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

[MMMFAN]

I almost got the sense in training camp that Marner wanted to go back to junior for one more year. Didnt see any tenacity in his game during camp.

Marner wasn't ready, but he's getting closer very quickly now. Playing in the WJC will be huge for his development, as well as taking the Knights through the OHL playoffs and to the Memorial Cup will be great for his development. It should also be noted that some of the solo effort stuff Marner did over the weekend while impressive will not fly in the NHL. I don't blame him as his skill level is so superior to his opponents in the OHL. I think you will see a much more mature game from Marner in the WJC.

 

[Atomos2]

Marner wasn't ready, but he's getting closer very quickly now. Playing in the WJC will be huge for his development, as well as taking the Knights through the OHL playoffs and to the Memorial Cup will be great for his development. It should also be noted that some of the solo effort stuff Marner did over the weekend while impressive will not fly in the NHL. I don't blame him as his skill level is so superior to his opponents in the OHL. I think you will see a much more mature game from Marner in the WJC.

Whoa there. There will be some pretty good teams they'll have to beat to even have a shot at the mem cup. And their defense (to put it lighty) leaves a lot to be desired.

 

[Leaf19]

Lol. You should've also used his penalty killing skate he did in the Summer Canada Russia game and also the Canada Russia series last month.

End of the season I'll make a proper one with his best 15-20 plays. I was just bored and threw together some gifs that 91Kadri91 made

 

[TheLeastOfTheBunch]

Not sure if the Knights will make it to the Memorial Cup, if not, then Marner will get a chance to play for the Marlies in the playoffs (if they make a deep run, that is).

Gold Medal run with Canada and a long Memorial Cup or Calder Cup run would be fantastic

 

[Fogelhund]

Not sure if the Knights will make it to the Memorial Cup, if not, then Marner will get a chance to play for the Marlies in the playoffs (if they make a deep run, that is).

Gold Medal run with Canada and a long Memorial Cup or Calder Cup run would be fantastic

I suspect one of the Marlies or Knights will have a nice playoff run... more likely the Marlies, which would be pretty exciting to seem him added to that roster.

 

[WTFMAN99]

I almost got the sense in training camp that Marner wanted to go back to junior for one more year. Didnt see any tenacity in his game during camp.

He knew he was going back to Jr. no matter what. I don't think he intentionally took his foot off the gas or anything though and tried to not make the team.

Whoa there. There will be some pretty good teams they'll have to beat to even have a shot at the mem cup. And their defense (to put it lighty) leaves a lot to be desired.

I think they'll add one at the OHL TDL

 

[aresknights]

London has a good shot to go deep. Esp when they will add a few more pieces.
Marine is a big game player as well. Really stepped up last year in POs until injured.
It'll be a dog fight thou, getting out of conf.

 

[champs*]

He knew he was going back to Jr. no matter what. I don't think he intentionally took his foot off the gas or anything though and tried to not make the team.



I think they'll add one at the OHL TDL

I bet the leafs told him before camp, no matter how good you play your going back to London... so enjoy the experience and dont get hurt

 

[Brock Radunske]

Not that it effects my perception of him at all being his current height, but could you imagine if he followed his brother's growth path and shot up to 6'2 in the next year...while keeping his agility, of course?
Scary.

 

[MMMFAN]

Not that it effects my perception of him at all being his current height, but could you imagine if he followed his brother's growth path and shot up to 6'2 in the next year...while keeping his agility, of course?
Scary.

From a playing perspective Marner will not have a problem with his height/weight. He has always played really well being the smallest on the ice, now he has actually closed the gap and of course he will fill out and add muscle as he matures and trains. The added strength is needed more so to prevent injuries and to make him stronger along the boards. The Leafs are bringing Marner along perfectly. They will not rush him whatsoever even if that means another year in London and a 2nd WJC. Be patient, he is still very young and has many years ahead in the NHL to shine.

 

[NarcoPolo]

From a playing perspective Marner will not have a problem with his height/weight. He has always played really well being the smallest on the ice, now he has actually closed the gap and of course he will fill out and add muscle as he matures and trains. The added strength is needed more so to prevent injuries and to make him stronger along the boards. The Leafs are bringing Marner along perfectly. They will not rush him whatsoever even if that means another year in London and a 2nd WJC. Be patient, he is still very young and has many years ahead in the NHL to shine.

He's done in junior this season imo. There's no challenge for him at all. He can get 3 points in a game and not break a sweat. After this year he needs a bigger challenge and the only way that'll happen is if he's with the leafs.

 

[MMMFAN]

He's done in junior this season imo. There's no challenge for him at all. He can get 3 points in a game and not break a sweat. After this year he needs a bigger challenge and the only way that'll happen is if he's with the leafs.

Agreed, but Marner is a valuable asset that the Leafs won't risk until they think he is ready for the NHL, and only if he beats out another top 6 forward on the team. So who is he beating out? I have Nylander, Van Reimsdyk, Bozak, Lupul, Kadri, Komorov all ahead of Marner today. The only way to make room for Marner is with a trade which is very likely.

 

[Fogelhund]

Agreed, but Marner is a valuable asset that the Leafs won't risk until they think he is ready for the NHL, and only if he beats out another top 6 forward on the team. So who is he beating out? I have Nylander, Van Reimsdyk, Bozak, Lupul, Kadri, Komorov all ahead of Marner today. The only way to make room for Marner is with a trade which is very likely.

Plenty of rookies play on the third line when they break into the league... such as Kadri did.... going with top six, bottom six is not in line with Babcock's system, and overall is an outdated mantra. He will be done with Junior hockey after this year.

 

[MMMFAN]

Plenty of rookies play on the third line when they break into the league... such as Kadri did.... going with top six, bottom six is not in line with Babcock's system, and overall is an outdated mantra. He will be done with Junior hockey after this year.

Babcock has stated that Marner will only play as a top 6 player.

 

[Fogelhund]

Babcock has stated that Marner will only play as a top 6 player.

I've seen that comment about Nylander, but never Marner.

 

[snizzbone*]

Babcock has stated that Marner will only play as a top 6 player.

If he's not in our top 6 next season he'll be playing limited even strength minutes + lots of powerplay time. This is a given. Either that or he'll just ride the bench until Bab's trusts him. Zero chance he stays in the OHL again. Lots of high draft picks have done this. Seguin, Drouin, are a few recent examples of players who outgrew juniors and played limited roles in their 18/19 year old seasons.

 

[Stand Witness]

I almost got the sense in training camp that Marner wanted to go back to junior for one more year. Didnt see any tenacity in his game during camp.

He has a tendency to be a slow starter too though. I think the last two years it took him 6 games to get warmed up.

 

[Territory]

Lol. You should've also used his penalty killing skate he did in the Summer Canada Russia game and also the Canada Russia series last month.

Funny thing is all those clips are from just last weekend.

 

[BertCorbeau]

If he's not in our top 6 next season he'll be playing limited even strength minutes + lots of powerplay time. This is a given. Either that or he'll just ride the bench until Bab's trusts him. Zero chance he stays in the OHL again. Lots of high draft picks have done this. Seguin, Drouin, are a few recent examples of players who outgrew juniors and played limited roles in their 18/19 year old seasons.

It'll depend on how he physically develops between now and next season. If he bulks up a bit and adds some strength he could see more ice-time in the top 6 against tougher competition. To me it's a question of can he physically handle the rigours of the NHL over a full season. If he still needs more growth I could see him getting sheltered minutes on the third line. He'll be too good for junior next year to send him back down. Easing him into the NHL would be best IMO.

 

[bobbyt 91*]

It'll depend on how he physically develops between now and next season. If he bulks up a bit and adds some strength he could see more ice-time in the top 6 against tougher competition. To me it's a question of can he physically handle the rigours of the NHL over a full season. If he still needs more growth I could see him getting sheltered minutes on the third line. He'll be too good for junior next year to send him back down. Easing him into the NHL would be best IMO.

Marner is a perfect example of why there needs to be a better transfer agreement between the CHL and AHL. I say leave the draft+1 year the same so the CHL doesn't lose all their stars right away but in the draft+2 year teams should have the option of AHL/NHL or still CHL.

 

[The Assclown]

Marner is a perfect example of why there needs to be a better transfer agreement between the CHL and AHL. I say leave the draft+1 year the same so the CHL doesn't lose all their stars right away but in the draft+2 year teams should have the option of AHL/NHL or still CHL.

Absolutely. The NHL or nothing rule in the D+2 year really does not serve the development purposes of players, but rather protects the business interests of CHL teams.

 

[Fire Sweeney]

I wouldn't want to see Marner in a league of 30 year old talentless grinders if I was a GM.

 

[The Assclown]

I wouldn't want to see Marner in a league of 30 year old talentless grinders if I was a GM.

There's plenty of skill in the AHL and he's got to learn to fight through consistent checking and head-hunting anyway, it might as well be away from the spotlight. If only it was possible.

 

[BlueBaron]

I wouldn't want to see Marner in a league of 30 year old talentless grinders if I was a GM.

If you were an NHL GM odds are you would be more knowledgeable . A lot of star players and late bloomers have emerged from the AHL, it exists because it serves a very useful purpose or NHL teams would not pay to have farm teams.

 

[VictorLustig]

Fascinating to watch him destroy the competition, yet sad to see him wasting a year in junior when he should be in the NHL.

The NHL is a different beast. Marner just wasn't strong enough to be effective at the rookie tournament and pre-season games.