Player Discussion Mitch Marner, Continued

[Evilhomer]

Willie was on a 120 point point pace after 40 games last year. He ended up with 98, and is currently on an 88.5 point pace for $11.5m.

Marner does not take nights off like Willie so he probably won't fade the last month of the season and get his 100+ points.

They are going to handcuff themselves to the 3 amigos for at least the next 3 years. If they shit the bed in April, they will hear it again from the pissed off fans and they won't be able to bullshit us with, "everything is on the table".

We already know the script is written when it comes to all four of them. They are all going to be here for a while, so with any luck the team will win one or two cups in the next four years before they likely have to deal with Matthews leaving.

 

[The Shadow]

It’s all going to come down to the playoffs

However last night was the first time I looked at him and thought that he’s not a kid/young guy and he instead had the look of maturity and focus on his face.

I think this group is ready to go for a big run this spring and having Stolarz and Woll is a big reason why

 

[ToneDog]

We already know the script is written when it comes to all four of them. They are all going to be here for a while, so with any luck the team will win one or two cups in the next four years before they likely have to deal with Matthews leaving.

Yeah the same was said when Tavares signed and here we are. Luckily the current GM and coach know what is needed to win in the playoffs, but at the end of the day, how far they go, rests on the shoulders of the 3 amigos.

It’s all going to come down to the playoffs

However last night was the first time I looked at him and thought that he’s not a kid/young guy and he instead had the look of maturity and focus on his face.

I think this group is ready to go for a big run this spring and having Stolarz and Woll is a big reason why

Knies' game easily translates to the playoffs. The only threat to get to the ECF is Florida. Anything short of that and it will be bust and there will not be many excuses left but I am sure some will make up some dandies.

 

[BallardEra]

 

[ToneDog]

View attachment 956572

Will be interesting to see if Mitch can hang with the big boys. Willie could not or was no longer interested.

 

[BallardEra]

View attachment 956577
Will be interesting to see if Mitch can hang with the big boys. Willie could not or was no longer interested.

He should be able to as he has averaged 103 points over 82 games when looking at his last 4 season totals before this season.

 

[666]

View attachment 956572

The most telling thing about this list is that the guys ahead of Marner all have a partner on the list. Drai and McDavid, Mack and Rantantan. Even Kuch with Point at 17. The next Leaf on the list is Nylander at 21 but he plays the same position and then JT at number 33. Marner can truly lead this team when Matthews isn't at his best.

 

[ACC1224]

He should be able to as he has averaged 103 points over 82 games when looking at his last 4 season totals before this season.

Thanksfully you said 'averaged' and not 'pace'.
'Pace' is a trigger for some.

 

[DarkKnight]

The most telling thing about this list is that the guys ahead of Marner all have a partner on the list. Drai and McDavid, Mack and Rantantan. Even Kuch with Point at 17. The next Leaf on the list is Nylander at 21 but he plays the same position and then JT at number 33. Marner can truly lead this team when Matthews isn't at his best.

What's remarkable, nobody would argue that Matthews is having a good season, between injuries and his shot percentage down, imagine where Marner would be if Big Sexy potted a few more? The fact he's fourth is remarkable to me.

 

[666]

What's remarkable, nobody would argue that Matthews is having a good season, between injuries and his shot percentage down, imagine where Marner would be if Big Sexy potted a few more? The fact he's fourth is remarkable to me.

Agreed.

Mack 65 points (Rantanen 36 in common)
Drai 59 points (McDavid 32 in common)
Rantanen 57 points (Mack 36 in common)
Marner 56 points (Matthews 18 points in common)

 

[Zybalto]

The most telling thing about this list is that the guys ahead of Marner all have a partner on the list. Drai and McDavid, Mack and Rantantan. Even Kuch with Point at 17. The next Leaf on the list is Nylander at 21 but he plays the same position and then JT at number 33. Marner can truly lead this team when Matthews isn't at his best.

Point has 23 goals, 44 points in 32 games too as he's missed some time and would be right there at the top.

Marner is probably the MVP of their team out of the players on the list. He also leads all forwards in takeaways, is the best defensively out of those players and is the lead PKing forward on a top 10 PK.

A couple more games like the last and the Hart trophy nomination whispers are going to drive a few around here insane.

 

[Stringer Bell]

It’s all going to come down to the playoffs

However last night was the first time I looked at him and thought that he’s not a kid/young guy and he instead had the look of maturity and focus on his face.

I think this group is ready to go for a big run this spring and having Stolarz and Woll is a big reason why

I don't know. I think the big problem is, it's just way too hard to tell in the regular season. He still cuts to the middle of the ice for most of his plays and hangs on to the puck for quite a while to dish off a great pass. And...it's kind of a work of art. He's truly one of the best at those things. It is honestly incredibly impressive.

But in the playoffs, cutting to the middle of the ice doesn't work as much. The opposing team clogs the neutral zone, shrinks the space, and initiates contact at high speed. Unless you can make space for yourself and bulldoze your way through, players like Marner are pushed to the perimeter. Even from the perimeter time and space is taken away, and unless Marner is no longer afraid of that contact...he can't hang on to the puck as long for that perfect pass and ends up almost throwing it away leading to give away after give away.

He's playing great, but how can we tell based on this play that it will be different when the style of play he's up against changes?

 

[Gary Nylund]

The most telling thing about this list is that the guys ahead of Marner all have a partner on the list. Drai and McDavid, Mack and Rantantan. Even Kuch with Point at 17. The next Leaf on the list is Nylander at 21 but he plays the same position and then JT at number 33. Marner can truly lead this team during the regular season when Matthews isn't at his best.

Too bad he led us nowhere against Boston in the playoffs. 7 games, one goal, two assists = garbage for an 11 million dollar cap hit. Lucky for him, Leaf fans are happy to give second chances, third chances, fourth chances, fifth chances etc. so he gets another chance this spring.

I know you and a few others don't like to hear this simple truth but yelling at me seems to make you feel better so have at it.

 

[ToneDog]

I don't know. I think the big problem is, it's just way too hard to tell in the regular season. He still cuts to the middle of the ice for most of his plays and hangs on to the puck for quite a while to dish off a great pass. And...it's kind of a work of art. He's truly one of the best at those things. It is honestly incredibly impressive.

But in the playoffs, cutting to the middle of the ice doesn't work as much. The opposing team clogs the neutral zone, shrinks the space, and initiates contact at hight speed. Unless you can make space for yourself and bulldoze your way through, players like Marner are pushed to the perimeter. Even from the perimeter time and space is taken away, and unless Marner is no longer afraid of that contact...he can't hang on to the puck as long for that perfect pass and ends up almost throwing it away leading to give away after give away.

He's playing great, but how can we tell based on this play that it will be different when the style of play he's up against changes?

When they played the Wild, I saw some of Marner in him, except Kaprizov can score goals. Same is true for Kutcherov and Panarin to a lesser extent.

 

[Gary Nylund]

He's playing great, but how can we tell based on this play that it will be different when the style of play he's up against changes?

Simple answer - it's impossible to tell. The real games start in April, then we'll see.

 

[ToneDog]

Too bad he led us nowhere against Boston in the playoffs. 7 games, one goal, two assists = garbage for an 11 million dollar cap hit. Lucky for him, Leaf fans are happy to give second chances, third chances, fourth chances, fifth chances etc. so he gets another chance this spring.

I know you and a few others don't like to hear this simple truth but yelling at me seems to make you feel better so have at it.

Can you hear them chanting, let's give him 8 more chances?

 

[HolyCrap]

Too bad he led us nowhere against Boston in the playoffs. 7 games, one goal, two assists = garbage for an 11 million dollar cap hit. Lucky for him, Leaf fans are happy to give second chances, third chances, fourth chances, fifth chances etc. so he gets another chance this spring.

I know you and a few others don't like to hear this simple truth but yelling at me seems to make you feel better so have at it.

There’s around a dozen posters here that apparently have never watched this Leaf’s team in the post season. That being said they are easy to miss as they almost never get past the first around anyways. lol.

 

[SoupNazi]

Continue here: Player Discussion - Mitch Marner, Continued