Actually very easy to see that except on faceoffs skillets of both Marner & Barkov very similar, both can be used in all situations including PK & PP, both are elite & equally brilliant on both sides of the game defensively & offensive. Their impact is they make their linemates better as such, very much like a Matthews, McDavid, Draisitil, Crosby, McKinnon, Kucherov, etc. Mitch is in the conversation as a top 10 talent in the league. More ice with more imagination & vision to an elite player, is a bonus also why they excel on either the PK or PP. Less players on the ice for an elite player can be a very good thing. Mitch would be a great C, one glaring weakness is faceoffs. That is all between the ears & Marners hockey IQ strong enough to overcome that deficiency, will require sobeyond that hurdle which will requires work & determination. Marner with two scoring wingers like the Nylander brothers that would be a sight to behold. Tavares as a 3rd line centre a better asset to the team, unless he plays wing in the top 6. So if going that route.
Tavares Matthews Cowan
A. Nylander Marner W. Nylander
McMann Domi Knies
Paciorrety Holmberg Reaves
* Third line that is very fast with gifted playmaking & goal scoring, if it gelled it would rival the very best lines in the league including the Matthews line with 2 playmaking wingers that can also score. Cowan will be the October surprise for Leafs fans. Paciorrety if healthy will be a great signing for someone why not the Leafs, undeniably Pacioretty is a tough dude remember the Chara hit ? a lesser man would have never played thereafter. A big badass hit & as brutal as they come delivered by Chara biggest dude in the league, fans watching horrified thinking the worst & yet Maxipad indeed went on to play again.
Meant to say 2nd line with Mitch & Nylander brothers would rival any top line in the league.