Player Discussion Mitch Marner, Continued

[Madap]

No one hides at the end of the season, but it is hard to argue with people who can't credit Marner with any good series, they don't live in reality.

You don’t think the number of posts supporting Marner has significantly increased recently? Of course people hide.

I’m not sure if you’re referring to me specifically, but I can definitely credit Marner when he deserves it. He’s the second best player on the team in my opinion, but he’s still not worth this contract and he’s certainly an extreme underperformer in the playoffs.

I don’t mind people supporting him. He’s a leaf, he should be cheered on, and I do cheer him on. I just get annoyed at the posters on here who think they’re the smartest guys in the room yet somehow don’t support him when he needs it most.

he's going to make you look silly in the playoffs this season.

Believe me, I hope so. Unfortunately your opinion is based on nothing but hope. He’s never proved it yet, but I really hope he does. I’m tired of yelling at my TV each year watching Matthews and Marner shit the bed lol

 

[Smif]

I find it more interesting that the narrative has now changed from Marner needed Matthews to Berube putting Marner back on that line to help get Matthews going again. Both those guys benefit from each other. I still want them separated once Domi gets back. We don’t want Marner or Matthews to fall into bad habits.

I want lot's of interchangeable parts. Nylander and Matthews not getting it done, switch it up. Marner and JT get hot, roll with it. Nylander, JT, and Patches dominating keep sending them out, Matthews and Domi going, giver. Keep the opposition on their toes.

 

[Roo]

It was true in the offseason, and still is now. The idea of letting Marner walk is ludicrous, and only something a fool would do.

 

[Jacquestrapless]

Little off-topic but does anybody find it somewhat funny reporters keep asking questions to opposing players about Marner?

Like a random-ass reporter just casually walks up to Roman Josi and Luke Schenn and drops a Marner question.

It's only funny to me cuz fans are starting to pick up it.

 

[DarkKnight]

Little off-topic but does anybody find it somewhat funny reporters keep asking questions to opposing players about Marner?

Like a random-ass reporter just casually walks up to Roman Josi and Luke Schenn and drops a Marner question.

It's only funny to me cuz fans are starting to pick up it.

It’s only value is we see how well respected he is with his peers. It makes the haters look small”er”, so I’m all for it. People in the game get it, so do rival GM’s, don’t kid yourself.

 

[Nineteen67]

Marner is a different player this year than he was last year. Part of it is Berube, a lot is maturity. He still has to prove he can do it in the playoffs.

 

[DarkKnight]

“He’s the guy to play with out there, he’s the guy that drives play”. AM

 

[ToneDog]

he's going to make you look silly in the playoffs this season.

He's been real good and doing what Willie did a year ago playing to cash in but let's not fool ourselves. Games versus sad sack Hawks and Preds this time of the year do not compare to a 7 game series in the playoffs. The NHL is the no hit league from September to April for most of these smaller, skilled players. You may want to wait until the playoffs before making such a prediction.

 

[bax]

“He’s the guy to play with out there, he’s the guy that drives play”. AM

Matthews clearly needs to create an account here to learn the truth.

 

[Evilhomer]

He's been real good and doing what Willie did a year ago playing to cash in but let's not fool ourselves. Games versus sad sack Hawks and Preds this time of the year do not compare to a 7 game series in the playoffs. The NHL is the no hit league from September to April for most of these smaller, skilled players. You may want to wait until the playoffs before making such a prediction.

I won't need to. The system that has been put in place around him by the coaching staff is what gives me the confidence to say it. It's also why Tavares looks so much better this season. All of their games have been simplified. This has always been about the coaching.

 

[notbias]

Marner is a different player this year than he was last year. Part of it is Berube, a lot is maturity. He still has to prove he can do it in the playoffs.

What part is Berube? He's looked like this before, the fanbase just doesn't hate him right now so more people are allowed to be positive.

 

[Nineteen67]

What part is Berube? He's looked like this before, the fanbase just doesn't hate him right now.

We don’t know if came from Berube, but he is physically more aggressive. Not like Pointe, but getting better.

 

[DarkKnight]

He's been real good and doing what Willie did a year ago playing to cash in but let's not fool ourselves. Games versus sad sack Hawks and Preds this time of the year do not compare to a 7 game series in the playoffs. The NHL is the no hit league from September to April for most of these smaller, skilled players. You may want to wait until the playoffs before making such a prediction.

Your caveat is valid. So, we don't know how it translates to playoffs and the past is a caution flag. All we have is what we're seeing and you try to gleam any maturity to play, evolution, changes. To me, no question he's more direct, the backhand fluffy giveaway has largely disappeared, he moves forward, you see it more. He's more engaged physically this year. There does seem some maturity, I'd point to consistency and leadership with guys dropping like flies. There are good signs, with his game, and more importantly how we play as a team and how he's fitting in everywhere. Don't forget a lot of naysayers were convinced Berube wouldn't like Marner's style, he loves it, he's giving him more ice time. Always playoffs, it's different hockey, but we're playing a game now, that transitions easily to that reality and Marner is thriving within it. Bodes well and presents some justified optimism.

 

[ACC1224]

What part is Berube? He's looked like this before, the fanbase just doesn't hate him right now.

Fanbase never did was really just a vocal handful.
They'll continue to double down on it, their ignorance is cute.

 

[notbias]

We don’t know if came from Berube, but he is physically more aggressive. Not like Pointe, but getting better.

He's always been like this, nothing is new... he's been in scrums before, tackled someone when they went after Matthews, this is not new.

 

[ACC1224]

We don’t know if came from Berube, but he is physically more aggressive. Not like Pointe, but getting better.

It's pretty obvious the difference lies with how Berube wants them to play vs Keefe.
Just different coaching styles, both can be effective but it was obviously time for a change here.

Marner looks more like he did under Hunter.

 

[notbias]

Fanbase never did was really just a vocal handful.
They'll continue to double down on it, their ignorance is cute.

I agree, I used fanbase but meant this board... even then it is maybe 50/50 or just the most vocal, but it is evident on this board.

 

[Nineteen67]

It's pretty obvious the difference lies with how Berube wants them to play vs Keefe.
Just different coaching styles, both can be effective but it was obviously time for a change here.

Marner looks more like he did under Hunter.

He’s shown a little snarl this year.

 

[Dekes For Days]

What part is Berube? He's looked like this before, the fanbase just doesn't hate him right now so more people are allowed to be positive.

Yeah, it's pretty funny that every time a player or the team does something they've done numerous times before, it's all 'Berube!!".
Some short memories around here.

 

[Punch Drunk Loov]

The best indicator of future behavior is the past. However, sports isn't real life and things can be different. Maybe this year will be our year lol.

 

[DarkKnight]

It's pretty obvious the difference lies with how Berube wants them to play vs Keefe.
Just different coaching styles, both can be effective but it was obviously time for a change here.

Marner looks more like he did under Hunter.

He's clearly playing more direct, still circling and cute, but more certainly you can see less turnovers (and the stats clearly show a big drop off, relative to past years). Anyone who can't acknowledge the system is blind, you can see it everywhere on the ice with this team.

 

[ACC1224]

He's clearly playing more direct, still circling and cute, but more certainly you can see less turnovers (and the stats clearly show a big drop off, relative to past years). Anyone who can't acknowledge the system is blind, you can see it everywhere on the ice with this team.

It's taken by some as a backhanded criticism of the previous regime when really it's just a different approach.

 

[thewave]

He's been real good and doing what Willie did a year ago playing to cash in but let's not fool ourselves. Games versus sad sack Hawks and Preds this time of the year do not compare to a 7 game series in the playoffs. The NHL is the no hit league from September to April for most of these smaller, skilled players. You may want to wait until the playoffs before making such a prediction.

I think he is obviously playing better hockey. The change to Berube highlights how inefficient the Leafs were under Keefe. They especially demonstrate how terrible Dubas was at assembling a team.

The ultimate measure will be playoff hockey. I am still for waiting Mitch out in the playoff, to keep him hungry for that contract that truly only we can make. Endorsements and 8 years at those % is a big deal.

 

[notbias]

He's clearly playing more direct, still circling and cute, but more certainly you can see less turnovers (and the stats clearly show a big drop off, relative to past years). Anyone who can't acknowledge the system is blind, you can see it everywhere on the ice with this team.

This is hilarious, coming from the Benoit is amazing and Reaves deserves a spot...

Others are blind if they don't agree that Marner has adapted to the system, while you also state that he hasn't adapted to it?

He's still circling and playing cute, but he's changed? Make up your mind.

He is playing the opposite of straight-line dump-and-chase hockey and it is working because his greatest strength is hockey IQ, I am sure Berube sees this and it is why he hasn't been limiting him, so kudos to him.

He has the highest giveaways per 60 of his career currently, which makes sense because he always has the puck on his stick and is playing "cute" aka good hockey, which is good.

"less turnovers" is turning the puck over now more than ever...

It's taken by some as a backhanded criticism of the previous regime when really it's just a different approach.

No, DarkKnight just has no clue what he is saying the majority of the time, he states an opinion and runs when presented with facts.

 

[DarkKnight]

It's taken by some as a backhanded criticism of the previous regime when really it's just a different approach.

Says a lot about their lame bias doesn't it.