Make it known that Marner is available and let's see what we can get.
I really wanted to do this after we lost MTL. Can you imagine the haul we could have gotten for the 1st team all-star under contract for 4 more years and where we might be as a team today? Maybe we even win a cup by now! That might sound like a big stretch but considering that we almost always fall short by just one game, I think a #1D in place of an ineffective Marner could have swung many of those games in our favor.
My argument was that despite all his point production and fancy stats, he just didn't look like a playoff performer (paraphrasing). And of course he sucked against MTL. I got crucified for that opinion but as of today it sure looks like I was spot on.
marner is such a boston cream donut
It's so hard to say what's most appropriate but someone earlier said eclair, I'm kind of liking that. Though I originally went with cupcake, I still think that's pretty good. And to be fair to Marner, I have used the word cupcake when describing not just him, but our team as a whole in the playoffs.
How well does he play in his own zone?
Not as well as Marner, no doubt about it.
Marner is such a frustrating player. He's so talented, and he plays so well 95% of the time, but that 5% just happens to happen in those crucial games when our season is decided. Maybe it's just a big coincidence, seems unlikely though after all these years.
I have said in the past that we should hire the best sports shrinks in the business to work with him. Apparently we did hire some people like that, not sure how much time they've spent with Marner or if he's been receptive to their overtures but it seems they haven't helped him. I feel like he hasn't been the same since Matt Martin left. Maybe he needs a father or big brother type to pump him up, protect him, make him feel good and build up his confidence? Maybe Berube can do that and we'll see a brand new version of Marner next spring? Yes I know it seems unlikely and over the top optimistic but if he's still on our team next year, that hope is all I have to cling to so I guess that's what I'll do.
Whatever it is in that room, we’ve heard a lot of good things about the people in there as individuals. They profess to love each other as teammates, etc. so you take them at their word they’re all great guys.
But from a distance both Matthews and Marner have a lot of growing up to do to become playoff winners and they need a lot of guidance to get there. Because I can point to McDavid and Draisaitl in Edmonton, they got a lot closer to winning. Are better players and have way more “skill and talent.” But they carry themselves like they mean business. Our guys don’t look that serious.
Perfectly stated once again! I'm reminded of not so long ago when O'Dog said that this is "not a serious team". Hard to argue at this point, that's for sure.