He has been bounced around playing with different players all season long really not fair for a second year player to be treated this way. Offensively he has been fine creating chances. Defending he has been trying to do too much at times and has struggled.Do you think Marner is playing well defensive or offensively?
I don't think he's playing well anywhere right now.
I don't disagree with any of that, although I'm not convinced Bozak is as bad defensively as most people think. Certainly not much worse than your average non-shutdown centre. He's no defensive wizard and that gets amplified by playing with mostly wingers who are much the same.
But the "lazy Bozak" narrative has gotten so out of control that people now think he makes his line-mates lazy by association. That's beyond absurd.
If you look at the Leafs statistically the only negative players on the team forwards wise have been Mitch, JVR and Bozak. It's not that they are spectacularly bad at D but when they're not chipping in offensively while being scored against even an average amount, they stand out like sore thumbs. Most non shutdown pairings don't tend to get scored on a whole lot mostly because they tend to be energy lines. On a GOOD team, you would expect much much better from what would be a 2nd line with Bozak/ JVR/ Marner. Specially if they're slumping offensively.
Marner goes top 3 in a redraft.
Not sure, definitely before Strome, but Werenski was 3rd. in rookie voting so who knows?
Aho doesn't go 2nd. round that's for sure.
Marner goes top 3 in a redraft.
1) McDavid
2) Eichel
3) Boeser
4) Marner
5) Provorov
6) Werenski
7) Rantanen
8) Barzal
9) Aho
10) Chabot
I could easily have Marner 8th on your list today and i can just as easily see him being 2nd a year from now.1) McDavid
2) Eichel
3) Boeser
4) Marner
5) Provorov
6) Werenski
7) Rantanen
8) Barzal
9) Aho
10) Chabot
Babcock disagrees with you unfortunately. I don’t see him ever putting Marner with Matthews for a consistent period of time. Just like I don’t see Hyman ever leaving Matthews’ wingHe has been bounced around playing with different players all season long really not fair for a second year player to be treated this way. Offensively he has been fine creating chances. Defending he has been trying to do too much at times and has struggled.
I can not see Marner on a line that does not include Mathews moving forward as Mathews needs him and he needs Mathews.
Marner goes top 3 in a redraft.
I would EASILY take that bet. This kid will be the real deal, just needs a little longer than most players, ala Johnny Gaudreau.
Too bad some fans have a “what have you done for me lately” mentality and no patience so they bash the kid.
I did not think so either but it will not be his decision only if this slide continues and Babcock will want to get some life in the offence and Nylander and Mathews were not cutting it.Babcock disagrees with you unfortunately. I don’t see him ever putting Marner with Matthews for a consistent period of time. Just like I don’t see Hyman ever leaving Matthews’ wing
Werenski goes above Eichel and Marner honestlyNot sure, definitely before Strome, but Werenski was 3rd. in rookie voting so who knows?
Aho doesn't go 2nd. round that's for sure.
Barzal> Marner
well right now nylander desrvrs his minutes ,marner is not scoring enuff ,as of the last 50 games ,and what happens if the leafs bring in a top puck moving point man on the power play ?Some of this stuff is going to be really funny to read in a couple years. Or sad.
I’m thinking once Mitch gets away from Bozak and plays in a system that targets his strengths he’ll go back to being a dynamic winger again.