I Warned You About Marner

[BigDaddyLurch]

I wonder what will happen to this post if Marner channels his inner Paul Henderson and scores the winning goal in the next two games?

...41 million Canadians might shyte themselves...cuz that would mean The End of Days is here...

 

[1 Team 24 Cups]

Before anyone tries to handwave his lack of dog away based on his size, he’s got a few inches and 10-15 pounds on Darcy Tucker. It’s purely a mental thing.

That’s one of the worst comparisons I’ve ever heard.

Jaromir Jagr was 5 inches taller and 25 pounds heavier than Tie Domi so why didn’t Jagr fight more?

 

[JianYang]

(* I am sure I will get a TON of backlash over this thread but... *)

I got so much grief over Marner. For years I said Marner should NOT be on Team Canada. For YEARS I was ridiculed.

I heard how good he is. How you cannot leave those points at home. How LOTS of players bleep the bed in the playoffs but do wonderfully when playing for Canada.

Marner's NO LOOK pass 6 on 5... WOW!

We lost possession and the next thing you know, it was 3-1. What was Marner thinking? Oh yeah, as usual, he wasn't thinking.

**

I hope we get a 2nd shot at the U.S. Pick up some momentum against Finland and win the GMG.

I am fine with marner not being on the team but if Canada happens to win this tournament, this isnt even a talking point. Maybe then the narrative shifts to matthews in that case.

 

[JianYang]

TDS. Toronto Derangement Syndrome. Everything is always about the Leafs

What that club has done (or not done) with this core for the last several years is a remarkable peice of history. It's something that is going to stir a certain conversation whether it is happening to one of the spotlight franchises or any other franchise for that matter.

 

[Isaac Nootin]

I honestly thought Matthews was injured, don’t even remember his name being mentioned

Led team USA in ice time Game 1 and again in Game 2......
he's been good, especially defensively last night. Lights out on the draws vs Canada's C's, driving possession.

Another coaching staff that doesn't know what they're doing according to HF though.

 

[Canadienna]

That was a frustrating play. I definitely think we need him on the team, but imo that was a very classic "Marner" play.

He didn't have a lot of options and knew he was going to take some abuse. He could have dug in and tried to hold the puck along the boards but it would have involved taking a few crosschecks.

He opted to just get rid of the puck by trying a low percentage play with no one there. It wasn't the only mistake by a Canadian player and probably not even the worst, but it was very "on brand" for him.

 

[elmaco]

That was a frustrating play. I definitely think we need him on the team, but imo that was a very classic "Marner" play.

He didn't have a lot of options and knew he was going to take some abuse. He could have dug in and tried to hold the puck along the boards but it would have involved taking a few crosschecks.

He opted to just get rid of the puck by trying a low percentage play with no one there. It wasn't the only mistake by a Canadian player and probably not even the worst, but it was very "on brand" for him.

He literally had the option to reset the play by passing to the guy in front of him, he chose the low odds risky move, and it failed.

 

[Zybalto]

You are missing the point. You do NOT make a NO LOOK pass at that moment but, of course, Marner did. Again, if I'd asked the posters who would do exactly THAT before the tournament, Mitch would have won in a landslide.

Hey, he tried something creative for sure but thats not exactly why Marner is hated for playoff play. It's more for not having moments like game 1 and instead not even having no look passes but sticking to perimeters and playing too "safe". I would have probably picked McDavid or Crosby to have tried something like that.

Would you have picked Marner to have the clutch moment for the team so far? Or Crosby to cost the team the losing goal against the US? or MacKinnon/Reinhart/Point/etc.. being pretty much no shows so far?

Hockey is unpredictable as it is and especially with finally having a best on best with an absolute ton of first time players for the team. So far, Marner and McDavid have been the first timers to rise to the occasion, especially Marner as he won the game. Its the players who come through in the big moments that we remember the most. This thread really doesnt jive with reality when it comes down to it, even your premise seems odd.

The real question is whether or not any of the other big name "playoff performers" are going to rise to the occasion themselves. They sure looked neutered out there last night. Marner has justified his selection but it really does feel like nothing is going to be enough for some....

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

Cooper loves Marner and speaks so highly of him.

 

[Nothingbutglass]

Hey, he tried something creative for sure but thats not exactly why Marner is hated for playoff play. It's more for not having moments like game 1 and instead not even having no look passes but sticking to perimeters and playing too "safe". I would have probably picked McDavid or Crosby to have tried something like that.

Would you have picked Marner to have the clutch moment for the team so far? Or Crosby to cost the team the losing goal against the US? or MacKinnon/Reinhart/Point/etc.. being pretty much no shows so far?

Hockey is unpredictable as it is and especially with finally having a best on best with an absolute ton of first time players for the team. So far, Marner and McDavid have been the first timers to rise to the occasion, especially Marner as he won the game. Its the players who come through in the big moments that we remember the most. This thread really doesnt jive with reality when it comes down to it, even your premise seems odd.

The real question is whether or not any of the other big name "playoff performers" are going to rise to the occasion themselves. They sure looked neutered out there last night. Marner has justified his selection but it really does feel like nothing is going to be enough for some....

If creative means abject stupidity, then sure.

 

[HabsCode]

Bro, get off Matthews boner. He hasn’t been anything special at all so far.

 

[HabsCode]

What in the actual crap are you on about? Matthews was barely noticeable tonight. Marner has the same NHL PO production as Matthews in their careers.

Can’t you guys catch on sarcasm lmao?

 

[Zybalto]

If creative means abject stupidity, then sure.

They all look stupid until they work, heh.

It's the little things that make a difference.....like when Crosby throws a blind pass out from behind the net that gets intercepted and leads to an odd man rush that gets buried by Nylander and Canada loses the game!!!!......or the puck rolls off Nylanders stick and the puck comes back up the ice and Crosby drops it to Marner who buries it and the crowd is chanting Crosbys name in triumph.

Hockeys a funny sport sometimes. Even a "stupid" play can still be special.

 

[DuklaNation]

Marner is what he is. A finesse player thst operates best in space. So his linemates should be chosen to compensate for that.

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

Marner is what he is. A finesse player thst operates best in space. So his linemates should be chosen to compensate for that.

Reinhart - Crosby - Marner

 

[NVious]

Meh you can't hate on him when he won them game 1. Where were the rest of the "clutch superstars" that didn't do anything to get them to that point?

I think it would be warranted if he didn't do anything in game 1, but he won it so he should get some leeway.

 

[Antropovsky]

Reinhart - Crosby - Marner

Still won't work. The main advantage Marner brings to a line is he's usually in good defensive position and he's a puck hound. The only offense he tries is slot passes from the perimeter. He can't cycle, he can't move around the offensive zone with the puck, he's got no net presence, he isnt a shot option and he will not physically battle for a puck. He truly thinks he figured out how to be an elite player without the need to touch opposing players. And I'm a die hard Leaf fan.

 

[NVious]

Still won't work. The main advantage Marner brings to a line is he's usually in good defensive position and he's a puck hound. The only offense he tries is slot passes from the perimeter. He can't cycle, he can't move around the offensive zone with the puck, he's got no net presence, he isnt a shot option and he will not physically battle for a puck.

Somebody go get Sweden a refund for game 1.

Again if Marner is going to take so much of the blame, how much more should the rest of the "real superstars" and "real dawgs" who produced a grand total of 1 goal last game take?

 

[MTL Dirty Birdy]

Led team USA in ice time Game 1 and again in Game 2......
he's been good, especially defensively last night. Lights out on the draws vs Canada's C's, driving possession.

Another coaching staff that doesn't know what they're doing according to HF though.

Being the American player with the most goals, I feel he wasn’t selected to try and win the Selke. Its a great fallback position to take for him, but he hasn’t shown anything with regards to offence

 

[Whoshattenkirkshoes]

Marner reminds me a bit of Bouchard. The numbers look good, but at the end of the day there are better hockey players out there for this role.

IMO they could have left Marner at home.

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

Still won't work. The main advantage Marner brings to a line is he's usually in good defensive position and he's a puck hound. The only offense he tries is slot passes from the perimeter. He can't cycle, he can't move around the offensive zone with the puck, he's got no net presence, he isnt a shot option and he will not physically battle for a puck. He truly thinks he figured out how to be an elite player without the need to touch opposing players. And I'm a die hard Leaf fan.

...imo, it's the "best" line for Marner to be on with the current construction of the team...a finisher like Reinhart and an injured Sid...

 

[Antropovsky]

Somebody go get Sweden a refund for game 1.

Again if Marner is going to take so much of the blame, how much more should the rest of the "real superstars" and "real dawgs" who produced a grand total of 1 goal last game take?

If you watch the Leafs enough, you'd notice Marner tries to create offense near the blueline. He doesn't go into corners or go to the net. If there is a loose puck, he allows the opponent to get to it first and then tries to pick his pocket. He's frightened of physical hockey.

After the first practice Mcdavid was asked what it's like playing with Reinhart and Marner. He said this about Marner "Marner..the playmaker..um plays high in the zone".

Interestingly... during game 1, Marner was rarely high in the zone.

Mcdavid and him were also caught in a heated discussion on the bench.

After the game, Marner was asked about playing with Mcdavid and he said they are still talking things through where eachother will be on the ice.

It's very evident that even Mcdavid after just one practice was wondering what the hell Marner is doing out there and told him he doesn't want him high in the zone.

Yet in Toronto, despite Berube repeatedly telling reporters he wants two to the net at all times....Marner is still always standing near the blueline.

 

[HockeyVirus]

Marner reminds me a bit of Bouchard. The numbers look good, but at the end of the day there are better hockey players out there for this role.

IMO they could have left Marner at home.

Couldn't have made a worse comparison if you tried. Amount of people who have 0 idea who Marner is but feel the need to comment like they do is staggering. Marner the best two way winger in the league today. Bouchard costs his team defensively

 

[Fatass]

Reinhart - Crosby - Marner

Imo Canada doesn’t have a centre that will mesh well with Marner. Marner needs the puck to generate offence. He’s great defensively though. Maybe play him with McDavid and have him be the defensive conscious on that line?

 

[BlueSeal]

If I was Team Canada's coach, I'd just make Marner a Dman and put him on the blueline since he loves it so much. Hell, it might actually work.