Player Discussion Mitch Marner

[Roo]

Dude is still recovering from a high ankle sprain, and the style of play doesn't cater to him. You can't expect 3pts per game every night from him. His line has been going up against Pasta and is winning that battle. Marner does more than put up points. He's a keeper, but we can certainly question the price tag.

 

[Tak7]

Dude is still recovering from a high ankle sprain, and the style of play doesn't cater to him. You can't expect 3pts per game every night from him. His line has been going up against Pasta and is winning that battle. Marner does more than put up points. He's a keeper, but we can certainly question the price tag.

Thought Mitch was extremely effective without the puck yesterday - did another great job shutting down Boston.

I do have some issues with how long he's holding onto the puck right now. Playoff hockey needs to be quick, and for me, he's spending too much time looking for the perfect pass or the sort of lanes & seams that aren't always open this time of year.

Matthews has had his legacy building moments in the playoffs. Nylander had a big night in game 6 to help his legacy along. Saturday night is a real opportunity for Marner to do the same.

 

[ACC1224]

What do you guys think is the difference between Marner and other slighter built players.

Lots of smaller guys like Kane, St Louis, Kuch etc had playoff success and didn't play a physical game?

They can all shoot the puck, Marner will always be a pass first guy.

 

[ULF_55]

They barely gain the zone, never mind set up one timers. Really bizarre how bad the PP has become, shame it seems predictable.

Thankfully the PK has gotten better. If they keep the special teams even, they have a great shot to win.

The PP was predictable months ago, and it annoys most of us.

It is so predictable they've made the same play and there isn't even a player there to receive the "set play."

I'm surprised the opposing teams doesn't just leave a man in the Leafs' zone for the bump back to "Hopehesthere."

 

[ACC1224]

The PP was predictable months ago, and it annoys most of us.

It is so predictable they've made the same play and there isn't even a player there to receive the "set play."

I'm surprised the opposing teams doesn't just leave a man in the Leafs' zone for the bump back to "Hopehesthere."

I meant it's predicable that it's struggling in the playoffs but yes it's been all too predictable for quite a while.

 

[ULF_55]

Marner has not been good, plain and simple. Making the excuse that he is playing good defensively is comical.

Knies has been better on the D end and has contributed offensively as well. You can do both, and at $11 mil, it seems reasonable to expect that.

Here’s hoping he scores a big one on Saturday, he needs it

Saturday is huge for marner.

Matthews was the game 2 catalyst.
Tavares and Knies game 5.
Nylander game 6.

Game 7 is knocking on marner's door. Is he going to answer?

 

[Punch Drunk Loov]

The PP was predictable months ago, and it annoys most of us.

It is so predictable they've made the same play and there isn't even a player there to receive the "set play."

I'm surprised the opposing teams doesn't just leave a man in the Leafs' zone for the bump back to "Hopehesthere."

That Rielly turnover was as bad as it gets

 

[JT AM da real deal]

I can't speak for the others but I will share my point of view.

It's easy to criticize when the team loses and much harder to do it when winning. The guys who deserve praise (i.e. Woll, Knies) should get it but those who don't shouldn't be getting lumped in with the rest. Of course, a lot of things get masked over and everyone looks a million bucks when the team wins.

I was praising Marner for his work in game 5 where he showed he can play well against the same team. In fact, this makes him reverting back to his bad habits even more frustrating.

To start with the issues, Marner is a part of the reason the PP blows. Rielly is the biggest offender but Marner is next up with Tavares.

Marner was good in game 5 (especially 1st period) but in game 6 went back to his bad habits again. A few good plays but also some terrible ones. We can accept he has helped stop their best offensive players but he's also been completely shut down by a Bruins forward group that doesn't have Bergeron or Krejci.

Marner is not a defensive winger. He's paid to get points, generate offense, and yes do good defensive work alongside the playmaking. Right now with Matthews out, he's supposed to be the #1 guy on the ice. Someone posted the numbers before game 6 where Kampf was doing a better defensive job against the top line in the minutes he played against them compared to Marner, so he's not even the best at that aspect right now.

Kampf gets paid less than $3M. Marner gets paid $11M. They should not be doing the same thing.

Marner is supposed to be playing like a superstar out there not as a defensive specialist.

You are focusing on his CAP hit .. don't do it .. this is a TEAM game .. he can help out in this series and next one as a defensive guy .. he may also make a nice play on da PP which would help .. it is not his fault he makes too much CAP .. Shanny/Dubie overpaid oh well it occurred .. spilt milk i say .. as i have been telling you guys for years he will always struggle in an up paced playoff game with more physicality .. it has been this way since he has been 6 years old .. he knows it .. everyone who knows him knows it too .. his dad is one of only people who never got it .. but thats what dads do .. it has nothing to do with pressure or any narrative any of you guys want to throw out there .. it is all strictly to do with his stride and his strength .. over time less hockey intensive folks are getting it .. Dubie never understood .. oh well he does do certain things well and he can be of help to us .. so get on board with him doing other things to help team like defense

 

[mcleex]

Of the big 4 he has done the least in the playoffs. Even old man Tavares skating in quicksand is able to contribute more
Even an injured Matthews and headache Willy can contribute more

 

[57 Years No Cup]

Well, as someone said in another thread, they are paying him $11mm to produce, not become the next Danault. Nothing wrong with Danault, but not for $11mm.

Exactly. Marner would be great for around $4-5 million.

REgular season points come from regular season paced games .. he is helpful to a team to help with offense in regular season .. it helped team over years make playoffs .. but pro playofffs are 10 percebt faster and tougher and his stride does not let him gear up .. paul has known this since mitch was 6 as i told him over an over again .. in fast paced up and down ice tough games mitch can only play defense .. keefer knows this too .. nothing mitch can do about it now .. too late to change his stride

Weren't they all working with Barb Underhill a few years ago? What happened with that?

 

[ULF_55]

Weren't they all working with Barb Underhill a few years ago? What happened with that?

I've questioned that, but honestly, it was more likely celebrity not effectiveness in that regards.

There are many coaches who've worked with players and I don't see the Leafs having any advantage in skating due to that employee.

 

[Antropovsky]

Marner isn't getting a lot of points because our PP completely blows and he's doing a shutdown job besides JT

What he's doing is helping the team win, he's helping us keep Bostons best offensive players quiet, it hampers his ability to score but were winning a lot of very low scoring games because of contributions like his

Honest it's Making me like him more
Not many guys are either capable or willing to put team success before personal success but he's doing it right before our eyes

All this talk about Marner shutting the opponent down... Tavares is playing the most mins against Pastrnak, while Marner is playing more mins vs Marchand.

The best Bruin in the season by a long shot was Pastrnak. He had 110 points vs Marchand who had 67.

However, Marners line once again had only 3 neutral zone faceoffs and 3 defensive zone faceoffs, while Tavares line had 6 and 6.

So this appears the highlight why a center is more valuable to a winger because they also provide more defensive responsibility and the ability to bwcome a huge factor on faceoffs.

 

[arso40]

All this talk about Marner shutting the opponent down... Tavares is playing the most mins against Pastrnak, while Marner is playing more mins vs Marchand.

The best Bruin in the season by a long shot was Pastrnak. He had 110 points vs Marchand who had 67.

However, Marners line once again had only 3 neutral zone faceoffs and 3 defensive zone faceoffs, while Tavares line had 6 and 6.

So this appears the highlight why a center is more valuable to a winger because they also provide more defensive responsibility and the ability to bwcome a huge factor on faceoffs.

I was gonna say I saw Tavares line against pasta alot in the last game

 

[arso40]

He better not get more than willy the way he's playing now I'm not even sure about a raise but at most I'd give him nylanders contract he doesn't want that he can find it somewhere else

 

[Gary Nylund]

What a beautiful morning. I'm feeling way too good to complain about anyone today. GLG!!

 

[Jojalu]

What a beautiful morning. I'm feeling way too good to complain about anyone today. GLG!!

I don't care if Marner never scores another point if the Leafs keep winning.

It would help if he did, but he has been his usual self in his own end.

He has set up Bertuzzi a few times and Bert can't convert.

Just keep playing hard, and work for your chances.

 

[Gary Nylund]

I don't care if Marner never scores another point if the Leafs keep winning.

It would help if he did, but he has been his usual self in his own end.

He has set up Bertuzzi a few times and Bert can't convert.

Just keep playing hard, and work for your chances.

Yup. GLG!!

 

[ITM]

Exactly. Marner would be great for around $4-5 million.

I get your point, but all things considered, Marner's a $9 Million dollar player for fun. He's no Kucherov. Unfortunately, he's unlikely to take less wherever he lands, but do wish the "hometown discount" was an option.

Moreover with what he's banked, endorsements and obvious endorsements ongoing.

Alas. BUT! Open to a change of perspective from MM.

 

[sunstersun]

Purely from an offensive standpoint, how high can Marner's game go in the playoffs?

He's small, slow, and got a weak shot. In the playoffs the game tightens and restricts the room for his "magic. Even for a guy like Pasta who's kinda like Marner except a pure goal scorer, his game doesn't translate well to the postseason. Furthermore, I don't think the dump and chase kind of style suits Marner at all.

The best player in the NHL are all puck dominant. As in they can maintain possession in the offensive zone and create infinite chances. Matthews is good, but he can't create offense from nothing. On our team only Willy can do that.

I guess we'll see. If only Marner could shoot better or skate faster.

 

[DraftSchmaft]

Marners defensive prowess simply excuses his lack of points thus far. It doesn't excuse him to not put up points for the entire playoffs lol.

We need 16 wins. Defeating the Bruins is not our Stanley Cup.

 

[57 Years No Cup]

Marners defensive prowess simply excuses his lack of points thus far. It doesn't excuse him to not put up points for the entire playoffs lol.

We need 16 wins. Defeating the Bruins is not our Stanley Cup.

Bang on.

 

[DraftSchmaft]

Bang on.

Can make a case if the PK was top 3, but @ 60% you're not selling me on defence > points lol especially for a star player who is expected to be a main carrier for this team.

I hold Marner in high regard I would be insulting his skill level to think otherwise.

 

[ToneDog]

Purely from an offensive standpoint, how high can Marner's game go in the playoffs?

He's small, slow, and got a weak shot. In the playoffs the game tightens and restricts the room for his "magic. Even for a guy like Pasta who's kinda like Marner except a pure goal scorer, his game doesn't translate well to the postseason. Furthermore, I don't think the dump and chase kind of style suits Marner at all.

The best player in the NHL are all puck dominant. As in they can maintain possession in the offensive zone and create infinite chances. Matthews is good, but he can't create offense from nothing. On our team only Willy can do that.

I guess we'll see. If only Marner could shoot better or skate faster.

Pasta does not shy away from contact. He and Marchard are pretty much the only offensive weapons the Bruins have so if you shut down Pasta you pretty much shut down the Bruins. He doesn't have a Nylander or Matthews caliber player to play with. Imagine what he could do in our lineup in place of Marner.

Which one would you take?

 

[studebaker17]

I was gonna say I saw Tavares line against pasta alot in the last game

Domi / bert have been matched against marchant with mathews then marner also.

 

[HarryLime]

I don't want to complain either tbh. it's exhausting. The Montreal series really changed my view of MM and I haven't felt the same since about him. I hope he has a good game 7, cause they really need him.