Confirmed with Link: Mitch Marner Discussion Thread II - First Team All-Star

[IPS]

Just a quick reminder that there's no anti Leaf bias on HFBoards

Mitch Marner vs Brock Boeser

Who will be the better player?

hfboards.mandatory.com

 

[DarkKnight]

 

[Gary Nylund]

Can anyone explain to me WTF happened to Marner's shot?

It seems like only yesterday Gretzky was mocking him for not having scored on the PP in 100 games, people here were pissed off because his shot was a "muffin" and wondering why he didn't spend more time in the summer to fix what was clearly a major weakness, people were talking about how it was relatively easy to shut down M&M in the playoffs because Marner wasn't a threat to score so they could just play the pass and so on. It seemed like shooting was his last option, if there was absolutely no other option then maybe, just maybe he'll shoot it (or you know, wait a bit longer hoping that some other option will appear out of nowhere). Now however, it's like a completely different player with a different attitude and a huge threat to score. His shot is better than decent now, all of sudden it's if not quite elite sniper level, it's certainly well above average. He's not afraid to shoot anymore, he's perhaps even eager to shoot and he's sniping some beauties too like the one from a bad angle last night.

So how is it possible to go virtually overnight from a timid, mediocre shooter to being a quality sniper overflowing with confidence?

 

[Mess]

Hopefully Mitch can carry this new goal scoring confidence level into the playoffs.

 

[francis246]

Can anyone explain to me WTF happened to Marner's shot?

It seems like only yesterday Gretzky was mocking him for not having scored on the PP in 100 games, people here were pissed off because his shot was a "muffin" and wondering why he didn't spend more time in the summer to fix what was clearly a major weakness, people were talking about how it was relatively easy to shut down M&M in the playoffs because Marner wasn't a threat to score so they could just play the pass and so on. It seemed like shooting was his last option, if there was absolutely no other option then maybe, just maybe he'll shoot it (or you know, wait a bit longer hoping that some other option will appear out of nowhere). Now however, it's like a completely different player with a different attitude and a huge threat to score. His shot is better than decent now, all of sudden it's if not quite elite sniper level, it's certainly well above average. He's not afraid to shoot anymore, he's perhaps even eager to shoot and he's sniping some beauties too like the one from a bad angle last night.

So how is it possible to go virtually overnight from a timid, mediocre shooter to being a quality sniper overflowing with confidence?

I don’t think it had anything to do with his shot.. he always had a good shot. It’s simply confidence. He just believes he can score now, he always had the potential too. He has probably also worked with the skills coaches to maybe change his grip, but I think the biggest thing is he is just shooting with confidence and looking to score as opposed to just throw something on net.

I really see him being our leading scorer in the playoffs. He’s just a very dynamic player.

 

[francis246]

Mitch has been our best and most disappointing player in the post season depending on which year we’re discussing. In recent memory he’s underperformed but I’m not ready to attack his playoff resume just yet. He’s shown he can get it done and I’m hoping this new driven Marner brings back the Marner we saw in his first post season showing.

That blocked shot against Boston is one of the best moments in my recent memory of him. He played very well that series

 

[Gary Nylund]

That blocked shot against Boston is one of the best moments in my recent memory of him. He played very well that series

Not so recent any more, that memory, let's hope we get some fresh ones soon. Can you imagine him doing some of the things in the playoffs that he's been doing recently? I mean it's fun to watch now of course but in the playoffs, everything's just magnified 100 fold and if goes through the entire FLA team to score the way he did last night, the roof will be blown off this city. Of course if we end up blowing a 4 goal lead to lose then that same roof will fall back down and crush us all but I digress ...

 

[francis246]

Not so recent any more, that memory, let's hope we get some fresh ones soon. Can you imagine him doing some of the things in the playoffs that he's been doing recently? I mean it's fun to watch now of course but in the playoffs, everything's just magnified 100 fold and if goes through the entire FLA team to score the way he did last night, the roof will be blown off this city. Of course if we end up blowing a 4 goal lead to lose then that same roof will fall back down and crush us all but I digress ...

For you it’s not so recent, I don’t care if that’s too far away for you. That’s fine but for me I can celebrate past moments. I don’t get why there has to be a shit on Marner cause of one series. They all had a bad series. I will always choose to be optimistic and believe the guys will perform. I don’t need you to try and bring me down to a level of pessimism you want to be at. Same ways I’m not expecting you to be optimistic, it’s all a personal choice.

Not everyone still feels apathetic about the team.

 

[DarkKnight]

For you it’s not so recent, I don’t care if that’s too far away for you. That’s fine but for me I can celebrate past moments. I don’t get why there has to be a shit on Marner cause of one series. They all had a bad series. I will always choose to be optimistic and believe the guys will perform. I don’t need you to try and bring me down to a level of pessimism you want to be at. Same ways I’m not expecting you to be optimistic, it’s all a personal choice.

Not everyone still feels apathetic about the team.

Hayes on TSN today said the same thing, how come all the Marner detractors gave Matthews a relative pass last playoffs because he was awol. And that’s really been my only beef with the supposed objective critiques, the selective abuse.

Anyways, I’m just enjoying what is shaping up to be a season we won’t soon forget, for either player.

 

[DarkKnight]

That blocked shot against Boston is one of the best moments in my recent memory of him. He played very well that series

 

[Gary Nylund]

For you it’s not so recent, I don’t care if that’s too far away for you. That’s fine but for me I can celebrate past moments. I don’t get why there has to be a shit on Marner cause of one series. They all had a bad series. I will always choose to be optimistic and believe the guys will perform. I don’t need you to try and bring me down to a level of pessimism you want to be at. Same ways I’m not expecting you to be optimistic, it’s all a personal choice.

Not everyone still feels apathetic about the team.

What are you even talking about dude? I was saying imagine how awesome it would be to see Marner play in the playoffs the way he's playing now, and that to you is pessimism, apathy and shitting on Marner? I don't even know what to say to that, maybe give your head a shake, drink some more coffee, read posts before responding, wake up ...

The series against Boston where he was great was 4 years ago, if pointing out that that's "not recent" triggers you then you really need to calm down.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Hayes on TSN today said the same thing, how come all the Marner detractors gave Matthews a relative pass last playoffs because he was awol. And that’s really been my only beef with the supposed objective critiques, the selective abuse.

Anyways, I’m just enjoying what is shaping up to be a season we won’t soon forget, for either player.

It's been pointed out before that Matthews hasn't been subpar for the last three playoffs and Matthews has also outscored Marner in the the last 3 playoffs. And honestly, who cares what Hayes says? He's just a guy in the entertainment business and his opinions on the Leafs are sometimes a bit ... strange.

 

[ACC1224]

Hayes on TSN today said the same thing, how come all the Marner detractors gave Matthews a relative pass last playoffs because he was awol. And that’s really been my only beef with the supposed objective critiques, the selective abuse.

Anyways, I’m just enjoying what is shaping up to be a season we won’t soon forget, for either player.

Marner not being given a fair shake goes back to his contract and the way some felt offended by the whole thing. Weird but not everyone can just look at things fair and objectively.

 

[ANDI P IS CUTE]

amazing year, but like I said before lets see if he shows up for playoffs timid and scared or not....

 

[francis246]

What are you even talking about dude? I was saying imagine how awesome it would be to see Marner play in the playoffs the way he's playing now, and that to you is pessimism, apathy and shitting on Marner? I don't even know what to say to that, maybe give your head a shake, drink some more coffee, read posts before responding, wake up ...

The series against Boston where he was great was 4 years ago, if pointing out that that's "not recent" triggers you then you really need to calm down.

it's the fact you feel the need to rain on / or add your "what's he gonna bring this year nonsense" on anyone who tries to remember something positive about Marner. We get it, you wanna see what he does this year. I personally don't care. Whether he scores or doesn't in the playoffs it really doesn't affect how I view him as a player.

For some it does, but for me personal it doesn't not affect how I view him at all.

 

[francis246]

awesome moment

 

[Gary Nylund]

it's the fact you feel the need to rain on / or add your "what's he gonna bring this year nonsense" on anyone who tries to remember something positive about Marner. We get it, you wanna see what he does this year. I personally don't care. Whether he scores or doesn't in the playoffs it really doesn't affect how I view him as a player.

For some it does, but for me personal it doesn't not affect how I view him at all.

I've said so many positive things about Marner lately, maybe you missed them? There's enough good things to say about him IMO that you don't need to twist things around, and saying Marner's performance against Boston 4 years ago was "recent" is stretching things just a tad. 4 years ago is not recent, JMHO of course.

So you don't care how he does in the playoffs this year, wow really? For me I care a TON about the playoffs, not just how Marner plays but the entire team. If Marner kills it in the playoffs this spring, I hope you don't mind if I get a bit carried away praising him, it's just that I tend to get a bit excited when we do well in the playoffs. And by the same token, if we lose in the 1st round in game 7 again and Marner ends up with less than 5 points again the way he's done the last three years, you may as well put me ignore because you won't want to hear what I will have to say.

 

[ER89]

Still obsessed with me eh. It's interesting how you never pay attention when I'm raving about how amazing Marner's been playing, your obsession with me is hard to understand. Have you developed some software that enables you to filter out those posts when I'm raving about the kid and if so, why would you do something like that?

Lmfao two guys who completely missed what you were saying and then doubled down on it. Whoooosh.

 

[Stephen]

Turning into a bit of a Pavel Datsyuk.

 

[DarkKnight]

Former players commentators always seem to get it with him.

 

[kb]

Hayes on TSN today said the same thing, how come all the Marner detractors gave Matthews a relative pass last playoffs because he was awol. And that’s really been my only beef with the supposed objective critiques, the selective abuse.

Anyways, I’m just enjoying what is shaping up to be a season we won’t soon forget, for either player.

I would assume because AM had to go for surgery to fix his wrist after rehab didn't work. So he was playing with a significant injury.

 

[Leafsfan74]

Can anyone explain to me WTF happened to Marner's shot?

It seems like only yesterday Gretzky was mocking him for not having scored on the PP in 100 games, people here were pissed off because his shot was a "muffin" and wondering why he didn't spend more time in the summer to fix what was clearly a major weakness, people were talking about how it was relatively easy to shut down M&M in the playoffs because Marner wasn't a threat to score so they could just play the pass and so on. It seemed like shooting was his last option, if there was absolutely no other option then maybe, just maybe he'll shoot it (or you know, wait a bit longer hoping that some other option will appear out of nowhere). Now however, it's like a completely different player with a different attitude and a huge threat to score. His shot is better than decent now, all of sudden it's if not quite elite sniper level, it's certainly well above average. He's not afraid to shoot anymore, he's perhaps even eager to shoot and he's sniping some beauties too like the one from a bad angle last night.

So how is it possible to go virtually overnight from a timid, mediocre shooter to being a quality sniper overflowing with confidence?

Maybe he reads this forum.

Hey, it couldn't hurt (90% of the time).

 

[Dekes For Days]

I would assume because AM had to go for surgery to fix his wrist after rehab didn't work. So he was playing with a significant injury.

While this is true, I'm not sure why people think this is only relevant to Matthews' results. If you're on a line with a grinder coming off a significant knee injury who can't do his job and provides zero offense (with his only point being a Marner goal miscredited to him), and a finisher who's dealing with a surgery-requiring wrist injury and can't shoot like normal, that's going to impact your results too, especially when you're primarily a playmaker. The things the line did best were largely things that Marner brings, and yet somehow he's the one often singled out to blame.

 

[Zybalto]

Can anyone explain to me WTF happened to Marner's shot?

It seems like only yesterday Gretzky was mocking him for not having scored on the PP in 100 games, people here were pissed off because his shot was a "muffin" and wondering why he didn't spend more time in the summer to fix what was clearly a major weakness, people were talking about how it was relatively easy to shut down M&M in the playoffs because Marner wasn't a threat to score so they could just play the pass and so on. It seemed like shooting was his last option, if there was absolutely no other option then maybe, just maybe he'll shoot it (or you know, wait a bit longer hoping that some other option will appear out of nowhere). Now however, it's like a completely different player with a different attitude and a huge threat to score. His shot is better than decent now, all of sudden it's if not quite elite sniper level, it's certainly well above average. He's not afraid to shoot anymore, he's perhaps even eager to shoot and he's sniping some beauties too like the one from a bad angle last night.

So how is it possible to go virtually overnight from a timid, mediocre shooter to being a quality sniper overflowing with confidence?

Seems like yesterday I was telling you it's probably just a strange outlier and Marner is gonna pop off on the PP soon. He actually had decent PP goal-scoring numbers before the drought as well.

2020-2021 (the no PP goal year):
ES goal/60 rate: 31st in the NHL (comparable Ovechkin was 28th)

This season:
ES goal/60 rate: 33rd in the NHL (comparable Draisaitl is 29th)

I think the PP coaching change has made a massive difference and Marner no longer is trying to force passes through to set up the "shooters". He still has pretty much the same shot he always had with slight improvements but has also gotten better is when to utilize it as he's come into his prime. Calling it a "muffin" was always silly to me as he's been a 20+ goal scorer since he stepped on the ice and is probably at least 30+ guy for the rest of his career moving forward (although probably more 35+ goal, 100+ points guy if not higher).

1st year: 20ish goal pace
2nd year: 22 goals
3rd year: 26 goals
4th year: 25ish goal pace
5th year: 30+ goal pace (with 0 PP goals)
6th year: 40+ goal pace


He was NEVER a timid mediocre shooter. People talked themselves into that after the Leafs ran into 3 of the best goalie playoff performances the last 3 first rounds in a row (and that awful PP the last couple... and not saying the Leafs blew some chances too but that horse has been beaten to death)

Lets just hope it all translates in the playoffs this season.

 

[Northernguy10]

Maybe he reads this forum.

Hey, it couldn't hurt (90% of the time).

You reversed the 9 and the 0...