Player Discussion Marner

Antropovsky

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Jun 2, 2007
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recall that Bruce Broudreau in the offseason said that the leafs under Keefe immediately jump to offense when a play breaks up in their zone. He said this worked in the season but it hurt them in the playoffs because its not a disciplined style. You can see how certain Leafs under Keefe would blow by their defensive coverage and then swing back...seemingly looking to jump to offense. Going to be interesting to see if Berube changes it. Heres an example of Marner doing it in the season.

Im already seeing a style under Berube that should be more effective in the playoffs.

Marner already reaching to stick check, while his body is moving out of the zone
1728849986033.jpeg

play is broken and Leafs recover, Marner looks back to see if Leafs gain control
1728850011543.jpeg

Marner keeps skating and receives breakaway pass for hat trick
1728850029727.jpeg
 

Gary Nylund

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Oct 10, 2013
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I would let Domi centre for Nylander and drop Tavares to 3c.
That also drops no offence holmberg to 4c and kampf may be out.
My first choice is to play Domi with Matthews again and put Marner with JT. But your suggestion is probably the next best thing, anything but playing JT and Nylander together. Hard to understand why Berube is doing that but whatever, hopefully he'll figure things out eventually.

But seriously, considering how Matthews didn't miss a beat playing with Domi in Marner's place, it seems like a no brainer to keep that going.
 
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sunstersun

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May 12, 2017
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My first choice is to play Domi with Matthews again and put Marner with JT. But your suggestion is probably the next best thing, anything but playing JT and Nylander together. Hard to understand why Berube is doing that but whatever, hopefully he'll figure things out eventually.

But seriously, considering how Matthews didn't miss a beat playing with Domi in Marner's place, it seems like a no brainer to keep that going.
Nah. Matthews and Nylander together is kind of a waste. Even tho it's better than Marner and Matthews, Nylander is better suited to being the alpha on his own line.

Honestly the best might be this.

McMann Matthews Roberson

Knies Domi Nylander

Pacioretty JT Marner
 
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Gary Nylund

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Oct 10, 2013
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Nah. Matthews and Nylander together is kind of a waste. Even tho it's better than Marner and Matthews, Nylander is better suited to being the alpha on his own line.

Honestly the best might be this.

McMann Matthews Roberson

Knies Domi Nylander

Pacioretty JT Marner
I agree completely and I didn't suggest playing those two together.
 
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bax

Registered User
Mar 4, 2011
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Canada
I'm rewatching the game right now and I didn't realize how well he played last night. He was flying iut there.
I was lucky enough to be there live and Marner and Matthews were the most noticeable forwards on the ice all night. Well after the first period lol a lot of honorable mentions too but those two were fantastic last night. Too bad Matthews couldn't have potted a couple.
 

sunstersun

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May 12, 2017
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I agree completely and I didn't suggest playing those two together.
Yeah, but who's the C for Nylander if not Domi? They have obvious chemistry.

They should really get Knies back with Nylander. Those two were a revelation in the playoffs together.

Matthews and Marner are going to pick it up, but meh. It feels very stagnant, almost like their 3rd year was more dynamic together .
 

Gary Nylund

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Oct 10, 2013
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Yeah, but who's the C for Nylander if not Domi? They have obvious chemistry.

They should really get Knies back with Nylander. Those two were a revelation in the playoffs together.

Matthews and Marner are going to pick it up, but meh. It feels very stagnant, almost like their 3rd year was more dynamic together .
Holmberg or Kampf I guess. Doesn't matter much IMO as Nylander seems to produce no matter who he plays with.
 

Roo

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Oct 3, 2005
4,006
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Oakville
Im already seeing a style under Berube that should be more effective in the playoffs.
Of course, that is why we brought him in, and it’s why so many of us have been counting down the days To Keefe’s exit.

There is a big difference in thinking from fans. Many feel that scoring challenges in the playoffs means you need to go out and improve your scoring. That’s obviously not what the leafs did.

The challenge has been keeping pucks out. Our new system prioritizes structured D and discipline. This comes at the expense of offense, and management knows this. However, when offense in the playoffs is tough to come by, high end talent makes all the difference. Which is why getting rid of Marner makes very little sense, in my opinion.

It all comes down to playoff results, but it will be team results that really matter, not individual results.
 

Confucius

There is no try, Just do
Feb 8, 2009
23,091
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Toronto
Of course, that is why we brought him in, and it’s why so many of us have been counting down the days To Keefe’s exit.

There is a big difference in thinking from fans. Many feel that scoring challenges in the playoffs means you need to go out and improve your scoring. That’s obviously not what the leafs did.

The challenge has been keeping pucks out. Our new system prioritizes structured D and discipline. This comes at the expense of offense, and management knows this. However, when offense in the playoffs is tough to come by, high end talent makes all the difference. Which is why getting rid of Marner makes very little sense, in my opinion.

It all comes down to playoff results, but it will be team results that really matter, not individual results.
21 goals in our last 11 playoff games. The problem has been scoring
 

ULF_55

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Feb 27, 2002
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My first choice is to play Domi with Matthews again and put Marner with JT. But your suggestion is probably the next best thing, anything but playing JT and Nylander together. Hard to understand why Berube is doing that but whatever, hopefully he'll figure things out eventually.

But seriously, considering how Matthews didn't miss a beat playing with Domi in Marner's place, it seems like a no brainer to keep that going.

After how the lines played last night, if Berube goes back to old lines ... sigh ... been there done that.

We're hoping he can make a change, but let's not pretend he has a great record as head coach. Yes, he won a Cup, but he didn't build that team, he road a hot streak.

He just has to be better than Keefe.
 
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Roo

Registered User
Oct 3, 2005
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Oakville
21 goals in our last 11 playoff games. The problem has been scoring
They’ve been playing tight, low scoring games. Changing personnel up front won’t change anything. This has always been an issue with our systems and approach come playoff time, and the change has been long overdue.
 
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Gary Nylund

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Oct 10, 2013
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I'm rewatching the game right now and I didn't realize how well he played last night. He was flying iut there.
If you think that was good, wait until you see him play in November. November Marner is something else man, like watching Gretzky in his prime. ;)
 

Dekes For Days

Registered User
Sep 24, 2018
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Nobody respects his shot. Take away his space and he'll wilt. There was a time that people said same thing about Kadri's shot, and yes they were right, but what Kadri do? He adapted and went to the net, and he became a 30 goal player, and now is a consistent 25+ scorer.
What an odd statement considering that over Marner's career, he has averaged a higher goal scoring pace than Kadri has, both in his career and since his 30 goal season.
And the only 30 goal seasons that Kadri had weren't even really from going to the net. It was from standing in the slot on the PP and ironically, getting gimmes from Marner.
 

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