That's a pretty high bar given how well they done in 8 playoffs. Having said that the Eastern conference is weak and there for the taking. If they blow it again, blow up this core.
Some want the talent spread across 3 lines since the bottom 6 is a black hole.
So is Marner staying then if GM Matthews won’t play with anyone else.
I remember you in particular were quite critical of Marner's overly flashy style and I agreed at the time. He looked for style points and was too skillful sometimes and he has changed that a bit this season and I hope that translates in the playoffs. But it was one of the fairer critiques here when everyone was raking him over the coals. He looks like he is evolving and with his skill that excites me because he still has a ways to go. We were lucky to draft him to be honest. Hanafin or Strome would never have done well under our spotlight. Would have crippled the rebuild. No 3rd round ? Wah . No playoffs is worse lol.
Lots of things are discussed on podcasts, doesn’t make it true.
Or maybe someone gunning for Rocket Richard trophies against superstars like McDavid wants the best passer on the team and 99 point man Marner on his line and that's just what Papi wants? Why is there always some shill conspiracy theory going on with the Leafs??
He said just last week Marner "is the guy you want to play with". There's no question he's made it known he wants to play with Mitch, why are people disputing this? Just look at last week, dude was invisible and lethargic, Berube puts him back with 16 and suddenly he's euphoric and skating like the wind. It's a reciprocal relationship, they do have chemistry, but I have zero doubt 34 is forever expressing he wants to stay with Mitch.
Up until last year Marner's numbers and metrics far surpassed Nylander who also doesn't back check or penalty kill like Marner. Papi wants the best winger on both sides feeding him tacos . Who knew?
Produce and no one cares don’t again and there has to be a different conversation being had
It's too bad these guys are more interested in benefitting each other than benefitting the team.
As Kris Versteeg said last week on Bunkis, if you want to win the SC you have to make sacrifices for the team. So far, based on playoff results, I'm guessing they have not made enough.
I’m fairly confident that if Domi plays with Matthews, we could see an additional 15-20 points per season from Domi. Similarly, if Marner plays with Minten, it should significantly boost Minten's point production. So unless the Matthews-Marner combo is 15-20 points above their career averages when playing together, they should be split up, in my opinion. Matthews and Marner would need to play at a 1.5 PPG pace for me to justify the opportunity cost of not letting each player drive their own line. But not only is Matthews not playing at his usual pace, he’s below it!
