Équipe: 2020-21 Maple Leafs de Toronto

Date de création initiale: 7 mars 2020

Publié: 7 mars 2020

Mode - plafond salarial: Basique

I hate having to criticize my favourite player but this has got to be the worst season in Mitch Marner’s hockey career. Other than a few highlight reel plays, he’s been a total disaster. He just doesn’t look as sharp compared to previous years. Making terrible decisions with the puck as he’s always trying to make an extra play or stick handle that kills any chance to get a goal. He seems tentative away from the puck as well. I think one of the reasons why he could be struggling is cuz he’s playing with Matthews, therefore, he has less freedom to play with the puck. He’s forced to play a more simple game because Matthews is so big, strong & smooth skater who can generate his own space when in possession, so Marner is having trouble adjusting away from that super flashy & creative style. He’s more suited for centers like Tavares & Kadri. They aren’t as big, strong & smooth skaters therefore they have to do more off the puck work to get their goals. This gives Marner more freedom to create with his skillset. Even with Bozak in his rookie year & Dvorak in Juniors, that’s how he was so successful. Another reason is that Marner is not playing with any confidence at all. He’s way over his head after getting grossly overpaid in the off-season - he should’ve got the Rantanen deal at most because Rantanen is the better player anyway IMO. Honestly if the Leafs sign a good stay at home defenseman who can skate like DeMelo / Tanev, they are set to be cup contenders. But they have a black hole who is holding them back, that is Marner. A change of scenery has to happen if he doesn’t get his act together. I don’t want him to go down the same path as Galchenyuk & Yakupov.

1.

2.