I really like both players both on and off the ice. The problem is after all this time of playoff failures, something major has to happen unless we're just content with having good regular season success and little playoff success. I would love to see these guys all succeed together, but I don't think that will ever happen and change is needed.
Mitch Marner, Yet Again
- Thread starter SoupNazi
- Start date
-
We sincerely apologize for the extended downtime. Our hosting provider, XenForo Cloud, encountered a major issue with their backup system, which unfortunately resulted in the loss of some critical data from the past year.
What This Means for You:
- If you created an account after March 2024, it no longer exists. You will need to sign up again to access the forum.
- If you registered before March 2024 but changed your email, username, or password in the past year, those changes were lost. You’ll need to update your account details manually once you're logged in.
- Threads and posts created within the last year have been restored.
Our team is working with Xenforo Cloud to recover data using backups, sitemaps, and other available resources. We know this is frustrating, and we deeply regret the impact on our community. We are taking steps with Xenforo Cloud to ensure this never happens again. This is work in progress. Thank you for your patience and support as we work through this.
In the meantime, feel free to join our Discord Server
View attachment 1001022
Distance from net playoffs:
Mcdavid on Marner: Mitch the playmaker kind of plays up high in the zone @1:35:
Mitch Marner location of points vs last place San Jose (all with Tavares, knies, Nylander and Matthews, two with man advantage):
Looking forward to another playoffs of Mitch the Perimeter Man Marner.
Leaf Fans
Registered User
- Sep 29, 2017
- 19,791
- 8,383
It's entirely reasonable for those who desire change. Personally, I have no strong feelings one way or the other—I'm going to support the Leafs regardless. However, the dismissive attitude and intense disdain for certain players create a negative atmosphere on the boards. For some, it seems more like a personal vendetta than a genuine opinion.
He can't produce unless he's on a stacked line or on the man advantage. Today vs the leagues worst team...he produced 3 assists... 2/3 from the blueline, 2/3 with a man advantage and 3/3 requiring Tavares, Knies, Nylander and Matthews to be on the ice with him.
He just ended a 20 game streak without a 5v5 primary assist last game vs the Flyers. It required the Flyers messing up a line change.
Leaf Fans
Registered User
- Sep 29, 2017
- 19,791
- 8,383
Donnie740
Registered User
- May 28, 2021
- 1,385
- 2,027
You’re embarrassing yourself with such misguided comments.
The coaches have assigned Marner to play the point when the Leafs have a man advantage. Do you think he should just abandon this and go stand in front of the net?
Marner singlehandedly saved an entire nation during the Four Nations Cup. Game winning overtime goal in Game 1 and without that Canada would not have qualified for the playoffs. Then two picture-perfect assists in the championship game.
And yet you’re still trying to fabricate nonsensical complaints about his performance at Four Nations.
Marner is on the point cause they literally cant put him anywhere else maybe the bumper but that takes away his greatest attribute which is passing he isnt better than Willy or Matthews on the flanks he cant play down low either literally the only spot they could put him at on the first pp
Divine
Registered User
- Dec 18, 2010
- 17,813
- 11,458
Clearly Matthews isn't healthy. His wrist shot is 10MPH slower than it was last season, giving goalies more time to react. That's not a confidence issue, there's something wrong with his wrist.
It just goes to show how important Matthews is. Matthews is currently on pace for 40 goals, 95 points over 82 games - and look where the team stands?
There's a very real chance this team goes 5-5 in the remaining 10 games and ends up with 100 points. That's how important Matthews is. Marner is doing the same as he did last season but the team had a significant drop off even with an arguably better roster simply due to Matthews not carrying them.
That's why you can't pay Marner as much (or even close) to Matthews. One can carry an entire team and the other is complementary. I really hope this team walks from Marner this offseason and changes their identity. Add more depth. Let Nylander and Matthews lead the way and add more 20 goal scorers throughout the lineup.
It just goes to show how important Matthews is. Matthews is currently on pace for 40 goals, 95 points over 82 games - and look where the team stands?
There's a very real chance this team goes 5-5 in the remaining 10 games and ends up with 100 points. That's how important Matthews is. Marner is doing the same as he did last season but the team had a significant drop off even with an arguably better roster simply due to Matthews not carrying them.
That's why you can't pay Marner as much (or even close) to Matthews. One can carry an entire team and the other is complementary. I really hope this team walks from Marner this offseason and changes their identity. Add more depth. Let Nylander and Matthews lead the way and add more 20 goal scorers throughout the lineup.
Leaf Fans
Registered User
- Sep 29, 2017
- 19,791
- 8,383
“Obviously two amazing players,” McDavid said. “Reinhart scores lots of goals. He has a great shot and is so smart. Mitch, obviously a playmaker, kind of plays up high in the zone, so definitely a good mix.
leafs in five
Registered User
you would have preferred no points to 2 points from that location?
thewave
Registered User
- Jun 17, 2011
- 40,316
- 10,292
He comes off as he is. There isn't really much of a facade there. It's just who he is and some people like that attitude. Can't imagine why but they do.
Exactly, who the hell cares if they came from high up. They were two great plays to tie up the game. Antroprovsky is straight up a hater.
Last edited:
You and I both know this is a crock of shit. Even for you. He’s on the point because he’s the most defensively responsible. He’ll be first man back. Especially in a 5 man configuration.
thewave
Registered User
- Jun 17, 2011
- 40,316
- 10,292
He is kinda sorta a one trick perimeter pony. If teams play him aggressively he is useless. If they leave him alone just like CAN v USA GWG he will make them pay. The fast physical teams basically neuter him.
I mean, that's what I see.
In contrast Matthews can break free with skill and strength. Nylander can make his breaks with his speed and insane leg strength. JT is strong too
What does that have to do with the PP configuration?
We’ve seen Marner on the half wall and bumper slots throughout his leaf career and he’s done fine and has never had any issues producing on the PP. according to Mr. Stats Demi-God, he doesn’t produce 5 on 5 anyways, gets most of his points from the PP.
We know why he’s back there, it’s to open shooting lanes for Matthews and Nylander and for him to be last man back.
Gary Nylund
Registered User
- Oct 10, 2013
- 29,871
- 22,152
I really doubt that first man back is even on the top 100 list of things to consider when designing a PP setup. In 50+ years of following hockey, this is the first time I've even heard anyone mention it. Maybe I've been missing out though who knows? Can you show me where this has been mentioned literally anywhere? I googled "first man back powerplay" and got absolutely nothing.
Also, if first man back was a consideration, I'm pretty sure you'd want him to be a Dman, that's for starters. And you'd also want some who is a fast skater, which also is not Marner. So someone to skate back quickly, and then play D.
What you want on the point mostly is someone who has good shot, not Marner. And someone who's good as keeping the puck in the zone at the blue line so again, a Dman.
I don't want to use the phrase "crock of shit", but I don't think this was a very well thought out post.
Last edited:
Whatever term you want to use, you’re being nitpicky about the term. Typically whoever is on the point is responsible for defending short handed rushes yes? They are closest to the blue line, therefore they have the added responsibility of defending against short handed rushes, yes? Additionally they are responsible for holding the line, yes or no? You want to argue about semantics about the terminology, go for it.
Do you honestly think coaches don’t think about rush chances against on the PP?
Gary Nylund
Registered User
- Oct 10, 2013
- 29,871
- 22,152
Edited my post, already addressed this.
Who do you choose to defend a short handed rush? The word "defend" should give you a clue.
Who do you choose to hold the line - a Dman. Come on dude, think.
ToneDog
56 years and counting. #FireTheShanaClan!
The 5 forward PP has been pretty good but in the playoffs I can see them giving up a shortie like they did last night. Mitch, Willie and Matty could not defend a 2 on 3 allowing a guy I have never heard of, score the go ahead goal.
I’m not sure what you’re arguing? The leafs don’t run a dman on their power play. They run 5 forwards. One of them has to assume the roles or responsibilities that a defenseman would have on that unit. That’s why Marner is back there.
Keefe has spoken about this before;
It’s also why they have him back there on other man advantage situations. I’m sure another part is he is more comfortable on the perimeter with time and space, I don’t think anyone can deny that either. But his role is there because of the coaches belief in his two way game. Maybe Berube has a different reasoning himself.
Why the Maple Leafs will try Mitch Marner as a defenceman
And now for something completely different: The Toronto Maple Leafs are toying with the idea of turning Mitchell Marner, the NHL’s First Team All-Star right wing, into a defenceman. Seriously.
Leaf Fans
Registered User
- Sep 29, 2017
- 19,791
- 8,383
Sure, that is a danger with a 5 forward group.
ToneDog
56 years and counting. #FireTheShanaClan!
Hard to believe how much Berube played the #1 PP late in the game last night with the open net. I get it you want the point and you got it but at one point Marner was hunched over at the SJ blueline while the play was around the SJ net. Tells me that the second PP unit is all but useless when it counts and its is the same old same old. It is all about the core 4 and odds are they will not be able to beat a deeper team if they can cancel out our top 6.
Gary Nylund
Registered User
- Oct 10, 2013
- 29,871
- 22,152
How often have they ran 5 forwards? How well has this worked out for them? Even with Keefe they hardly ever played Marner as a Dman, it was never a serious thing.I’m not sure what you’re arguing? The leafs don’t run a dman on their power play. They run 5 forwards. One of them has to assume the roles or responsibilities that a defenseman would have on that unit. That’s why Marner is back there.
Keefe has spoken about this before;
Why the Maple Leafs will try Mitch Marner as a defenceman
And now for something completely different: The Toronto Maple Leafs are toying with the idea of turning Mitchell Marner, the NHL’s First Team All-Star right wing, into a defenceman. Seriously.www.sportsnet.ca
If you have 5 forwards on the PP, the idea is that they will control the puck, first man back isn't a big consideration and if and when you do think about it, you'd at least want someone who can skate fast.
