when he plays in simple straight lines to and around the net he looks all-world, the problem is when he decides he’s doing mostly high risk east-west stuff by the blueline instead for stretches of games.
If 6’4 Matthews can get lost in the offensive zone to get open for cross seam feeds I don’t see why Marner can’t, he doesn’t need to fight for space he just to disappear and reappear at the right time.
Ultimately, of all the core forwards, JT is the only guy who says "F it, I',m going to the net and dealing with the traffic".
A player can lose a step as he ages, but he is going to keep his shot much longer. Even a 55 year old former NHLer can deposit a rebound when a foot from the goalie. Tavares has been willing to do this and I respect him for it. He wasn't that guy when he came here but he as adapted with age.
I always call someone who screened a goalie on a goal the player who had the unrecorded assist. That's the critical role JT is willing to play. It is vital when goals are tough to come by, but a screened goalie facing a flutter ball soft wrist shot can find the twine.
Anyone who has played net in ball hockey as a kid knows that there is nothing worse than being screened. It not only makes it hard for the goalie, it gets them off of their game.
Marner doesn't need to play the goal line presence that JT is willing to provide at times (though it would certainly help his and Matthews playoff game), but, he has to at least consider shooting more when traffic is there, getting in close, even if it's just a couple of feet, and/or skating in straight lines as you suggest, being strong on the boards (he has really improved his board game when he tries).
Matthews has probably paid a price on his back from some meathead who crosschecked. I don't know, but this league has to really increase the penalty for cross checks, not this 2 min. bs. How about, make them outright illegal punishable by suspension?