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Maple Leafs Mitchell Marner: The Markham Machine

May 25, 2016, 10:43 AM ET [431 Comments]
Lucas Neilson
Blogger •Atlantic Division Writer • RSSArchiveCONTACT
It really is astounding the numbers that Marner has been putting up for the London Knights in this year’s playoffs and Memorial Cup run. The Knights have been a dominant force all season, but have really started to turn it up as they abolish team after team in their playoff run; winning sixteen games in a row and will have a chance to finish the season by winning the Memorial Cup and completing a seventeen game win streak.

The last loss to the team was on April first (April Fool’s Day) in the first round of the playoffs, rather fitting isn’t it?

Marner and the Knights have been too good in a way, just imagine if they didn’t sweep team after team and they actually played a few more games. The point total would be much higher and Marner would be shredding each of the point’s records, likely for both the OHL playoffs and the Memorial Cup. At the end of the day, I’m sure he’s not losing any sleep over it and will be thrilled to have a chance to hoist the trophy at the end of this epic journey.

Point Totals:

Marner:


(2015/16)
Regular Season: 57 games, 39 goals, 77 assists, 68 PIM, +45
Playoffs: 18 games, 16 goals, 28 assists, 8 PIM, +30

In those 18 games Marner had 44 points which included 3 power play goals, 10 power play assists, and 2 short-handed goals. It’s great to see the youngster can produce on the man advantage but also seems to be a force on the penalty kill, something the Leafs of next season will appreciate.

In the Memorial Cup Marner has 13 points in 3 games. Yes, you read that right. He’s three points back of the record which was set in 82/86 by Jeff Larmer and Guy Rouleau. If he continues the pace that he’s played at, you may see a record breaking effort by Maple Leafs prospect Mitch Marner. Again…if the Knights were not sweeping every team they play, his point totals would be through the roof!

With Marner continuing to excel and dipping the feather in the ink for the start of the 2016 season he looks to be nothing but primed up for an opening night roster spot. He has 13 points out of a total of 16 Knights goals in the Memorial Cup; he is the piece in the center of the puzzle that connects all of the others together. This is a player who needs to be promoted to another level, and if he not eligible for the AHL, well then there is no better place for him than on the Leafs bench/ice surface with Babcock there from start to finish.

There is a reason the Toronto Maple Leafs pay Babcock 8 million a year, because he too is a magic maker and will guide Marner and the new looked Leafs to the promise land.

If per say the Leafs were to select Matthews and have both Nylander and Marner in the lineup. It will really tighten things up in terms of adding bodies through free agency, so perhaps less one year deals hoping to cash in at deadline. Which I think is great, the Leafs have a few bodies to unload, whether that be through trade, buyout or exchanging for draft picks.

If the Leafs are able to win Stamkos’ heart out of the free agency, the rosters spots will be even tighter.

You would think if all of these stars align for the Leafs that there will be some sort of trade with a number of prospects being shipped out, similar to a deal like last year for Grabner. Perhaps the Leafs will sweeten up the deal with a combination of NHL roster player(s), picks and prospects. This is why it’s so vital for Toronto to go for quality over quantity in this year’s 2016 NHL Draft. Shanahan and Lamoriello have their work cut out for them, but have done nothing but impress to date.

The Marlies are down two games to none in the Calder Cup playoffs and will need a big effort tonight to continue their journey. Connor Carrick still leads the Marlies in scoring with 15 points in 12 games, but Toronto will need some secondary scoring and leadership to get back on track. Both Kapanen and Nylander have only chipped in 3 goals in 11 games, whereas Connor Brown has 7. It’s time for some hard-nosed hockey where it doesn’t matter how the puck goes in, as long as it does.

Best of luck to the Marlies in their game tonight!

Thanks for reading.
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