Player Discussion Mitch Marner Part Infinity

[ACC1224]

No idea why they haven't split them before now. Matthews is finishing nothing. The guy could easily have 10 goals in the playoffs right now. I know they keep crossing their fingers and hoping Matthews will get going but.. yikes..

I'd swap JT with Matthews and let Nylander try and bring some life to him.
Marner and Knies have been dragging him along long enough.

 

[BraveCanadian]

I'd swap JT with Matthews and let Nylander try and bring some life to him.
Marner and Knies have been dragging him along long enough.

Its worth a shot, what do they have to lose?

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Are you sure Matty isn't being affected by Mitch? Mitch lack of physicality has it all put on Matty and Knies. That extra load is going to tire them out which could be what happened last game.

Could be true too .. but one way or another it is not working .. for me I would give them 1st period and then switch up to start 2nd period .. Berube made some nie matchups adjustments in game 2 in 2nd period which worked

 

[Stephen]

Are you sure Matty isn't being affected by Mitch? Mitch lack of physicality has it all put on Matty and Knies. That extra load is going to tire them out which could be what happened last game.

Auston and Mitch are both failing on that line right now.

Marner has thrown some more hits etc but prefers to play high because he’s weak and small. Ok so if he’s going to hang back and be a defensive conscience, what’s Matthews excuse for spectating while Knies does all the digging and forechecking? Auston’s always looks like he’s late to the battle expecting Knies to dig it out against 2 guys.

 

[Willchel Marlynder]

No idea why they haven't split them before now. Matthews is finishing nothing. The guy could easily have 10 goals in the playoffs right now. I know they keep crossing their fingers and hoping Matthews will get going but.. yikes..

It would never happen but I wouldn't mind seeing Nylander - Domi - Marner for like a period. It's a small line for sure, but it would force Nylander do be more engaged on the forecheck and It gives Marner the only legit goal scorer left on the team.

Put Matthews on the wing with JT. Maybe playing an easier position will free him up a bit since easier matchups haven't done the job.

 

[Larcos_Unal]

Are you sure Matty isn't being affected by Mitch? Mitch lack of physicality has it all put on Matty and Knies. That extra load is going to tire them out which could be what happened last game.

Wouldn't mind seeing Domi on RW with Matthews. When he's not being an idiot Max is a good playmaker and he plays with much more physicality than Mitchy. Would be an interesting fit with 34 & 23.

Top line has been invisible outside of Knies, there has to be a different look.

 

[notbias]

He never is, he is too afraid of physical play.

Below is a screenshot from game 3. The puck is being passed to the point and Marner is covering his face with his glove (afraid of injury) and the puck is long from reaching the defender. He is doing this all the time...Ive never seen another player do it. If a player is fearing injury in playoff hockey like he does, good luck!


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This is your worst argument against Marner yet, keep it up, it's fun.

 

[BraveCanadian]

Wouldn't mind seeing Domi on RW with Matthews. When he's not being an idiot Max is a good playmaker and he plays with much more physicality than Mitchy. Would be an interesting fit with 34 & 23.

Top line has been invisible outside of Knies, there has to be a different look.

Its worth a shot and is better than Domi at center where he is a defensive.. adventure.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

I'd swap JT with Matthews and let Nylander try and bring some life to him.
Marner and Knies have been dragging him along long enough.

Willy needs more speed to surround him .. try Holmberg and Domi that line worked during season .. Domi opens up ice for Willy and Holmberg always plays right side of puck .. Matty i fear is not gonna do much rest of playoffs except play a decent D

 

[ACC1224]

Willy needs more speed to surround him .. try Holmberg and Domi that line worked during season .. Domi opens up ice for Willy and Holmberg always plays right side of puck .. Matty i fear is not gonna do much rest of playoffs except play a decent D

Three seperate lines? Worth a shot.

 

[Leaf Fans]

Are you sure Matty isn't being affected by Mitch? Mitch lack of physicality has it all put on Matty and Knies. That extra load is going to tire them out which could be what happened last game.

The Leafs should sit anyone who had under 3 hits and couldn't even block one shot out for game 5. If you can't handle the physical play. Sit. Also sit those who turn the puck over. If a player has a high give away to take away ratio they should sit. I say set the lowest bar at minus 2.

 

[JL17]

Are you sure Matty isn't being affected by Mitch? Mitch lack of physicality has it all put on Matty and Knies. That extra load is going to tire them out which could be what happened last game.

Problem is 23 and 34 are down low working the boards. There isn’t much help elsewhere. Once the puck is freed with Mitch playing high the Panthers have time to collect it and move out. And if they do get possession Florida still has numbers and can limit almost anything the Leafs want to do with the puck. Playing the high guy needs to come to an end.

 

[thewave]

Wouldn't mind seeing Domi on RW with Matthews. When he's not being an idiot Max is a good playmaker and he plays with much more physicality than Mitchy. Would be an interesting fit with 34 & 23.

Top line has been invisible outside of Knies, there has to be a different look.

Problem is 23 and 34 are down low working the boards. This isn’t much help elsewhere. Once the puck is freed with Mitch playing high fives the Panthers time to collect it and move out. And if they do get possession Florida still has numbers and can limit almost anything the Leafs want to do with the puck. Playing the high guy needs to come to an end.

Exactly. It feels like so few of us are stressing this though. It's strange because it's all my eyes see when he plays high. I just think, omg if I were Matthews I would be pissed working to cover up for that.

 

[DarkKnight]

We wouldn't even be having this conversation if Matthews was slightly below average shooting. So tired of the guilt by association, 34 is the problem. He's had a ton of looks, he's dragging the line down. And he isn't dynamic with the puck AT ALL, just fancy stick work that goes nowhere. When is the last time this guy drove to the net? Ditto last year.

Marner hasn't been fantastic last couple, but he's going to dirty areas, he's winning the pucks on the wall and he's setting up enough plays that so normal shooting percentage means this series is at least 3-1, and this thread is crickets, apart from the stalkers.

Matthews is the primary problem. Marner had 3 points in 7 last year, he has 12 in 10 here and been good defensively. Not the problem.

 

[sunstersun]

0 shots in the last 2 games.

Not a problem.

We also wouldn't be having this conversation if Mitch could solo score goals or generate chances. Unfortunately we're paying 11mil to a guy who's reliant on another player. Knies production isn't falling off a cliff due to Matthews, why is Mitch? I'm not talking about points, I'm talking about generating chances offensively without needing to pass it. And if it's playstyle, why are we paying so much for that? Matthews and Marner even when completely healthy underperformed relative to their paycheck and concentration of assets on the first line.

The guy is literally playing the highest a forward can. It makes no fcking sense.

 

[Larcos_Unal]

0 shots in the last 2 games.

Not a problem.

We also wouldn't be having this conversation if Mitch could solo score goals or generate chances. Unfortunately we're paying 11mil to a guy who's reliant on another player. Knies production isn't falling off a cliff due to Matthews, why is Mitch? I'm not talking about points, I'm talking about generating chances offensively without needing to pass it. And if it's playstyle, why are we paying so much for that? Matthews and Marner even when completely healthy underperformed relative to their paycheck and concentration of assets on the first line.

The guy is literally playing the highest a forward can. It makes no fcking sense.

$14M!!!

 

[ToneDog]

Are you sure Matty isn't being affected by Mitch? Mitch lack of physicality has it all put on Matty and Knies. That extra load is going to tire them out which could be what happened last game.

Loves to hang back at the blueline while 23 and 34 dig the pucks out for him. What other RWer plays that high as much?

 

[notDatsyuk]

Would anyone give him a 12x8 if he agrees to Limited NMC? Just want to guage the temperature in the room.

If I thought there were other teams willing to trade for him at that salary that he wouldn't have on his no-trade list, then sure.

So no.

 

[TheTotalPackage]

Would anyone give him a 12x8 if he agrees to Limited NMC? Just want to guage the temperature in the room.

I've thought all along a 8x$12.5 deal would be cleanest and easiest to get done for both sides.

 

[notDatsyuk]

I'd swap JT with Matthews and let Nylander try and bring some life to him.
Marner and Knies have been dragging him along long enough.

Why break up the best line, and if you do, wouldn't it make more sense to just swap Nylander and Marner?

 

[cyris]

0 shots in the last 2 games.

Not a problem.

We also wouldn't be having this conversation if Mitch could solo score goals or generate chances. Unfortunately we're paying 11mil to a guy who's reliant on another player. Knies production isn't falling off a cliff due to Matthews, why is Mitch? I'm not talking about points, I'm talking about generating chances offensively without needing to pass it. And if it's playstyle, why are we paying so much for that? Matthews and Marner even when completely healthy underperformed relative to their paycheck and concentration of assets on the first line.

The guy is literally playing the highest a forward can. It makes no fcking sense.

0 shots in 2 games is a bit disingenuous considering there was a tip in goal in game 3 off a Marner shot and a rebound goal off a post he hit.

 

[ToneDog]

Would anyone give him a 12x8 if he agrees to Limited NMC? Just want to guage the temperature in the room.

Leafs would have signed him if he accepted $12mx8. Might be a god send that he was not willing to negotiate in season and wants out. Hope he takes his PR crew with him.

 

[Tak7]

Would anyone give him a 12x8 if he agrees to Limited NMC? Just want to guage the temperature in the room.

I'd sign it right away.

If my options are:

1. Lose him for nothing as he walks as a UFA, which is what I've said all along is going to happen, OR:
2. Sign him, work with him to either improve or move him for some tangible pieces back?

It's a no brainer.

The goal should always be to make the Maple Leafs a better hockey club - letting Marner walk for nothing doesn't improve them, especially this summer where the free agency class is extremely underwhelming.

 

[stickty111]

Mitch could just be a little bit more direct in that area,” Berube continued. “I think he has the puck a lot, we know that. And he's got to look to put more pucks on net. I get what he's trying to do. Like, he wants to upgrade his chance, upgrade the chance. Probably looking at...he's a passer first. We know that, but we need him to shoot pucks too.”

The coach knows he's too cute at times

 

[Mr_Fun]

0 shots in 2 games is a bit disingenuous considering there was a tip in goal in game 3 off a Marner shot and a rebound goal off a post he hit.

There was also a shot tipped by AM late in period 2 of game three off a shot MM threw towards the net. We definitely need more from MM, though and CB should really look at possible changes to the line up for game 5.