It was two drafts ago when Mitch Marner was drafted, he was heading into the summer being drafted fourth overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs. Being from Thornhill you can imagine Marner was thrilled, he was coming off an electric 126 point season and added to that with 16 points in 7 playoff games. Things were looking up for the youngster as he was flourishing on the London Knights.

He returned to London for his third Ontario Hockey League (OHL) season and expectations were high, as they always are in Leafs Nation. Marner had no problem showing he’s a magician with the puck and had another booming season in 2015/16 accumulating 116 points in 57 games. Where he really stood out was in the playoffs when he kicked his game up a notch and tallied a monstrous 44 points in 18 games, followed by another 14 points in 4 games at the Memorial Cup where he won MVP.

Here is a sum of the hardware that Mitch Marner took home in 2015/16:

Red Tilson Trophy (OHL – most outstanding player)
J. Ross Robertson Cup (OHL Cup)
OHL Playoffs (most assists – 28)
OHL Playoffs (most points – 44)
Wayne Gretzky 99 Award (OHL Playoffs MVP)
OHL Second All-Star Team
CHL Memorial Cup
Stafford Smythe Trophy (CHL Memorial Cup MVP)
CHL Player of the Year

It’s without question that Marner has shredded the competition at the OHL level. Which of course leads to the big question, is Mitch Marner ready for the NHL next season?

Everyone is going to have their own opinion, and that’s something you have to respect. There are many angles and many scenarios that play out that favor or not. What we do know is Marner has the skills to pay the bills and with his smarts and dedication to the game, I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised to see him skating with the Maple Leafs come opening night in October.

As you may already know Marner is not eligible to play on the Toronto Marlies (AHL) next season and management will have to make the decision of whether or not to send Mitch back to the London Knights or keep him up with the big club.

So we know Marner has the skill and smarts, he just has to continue solidifying his core strength and work on adding some weight in muscle mass. You can bet Toronto will be working closely with their number two prospect, ensuring he is getting the best training, food plan/nutritionist, and sleep doctor to prepare him to be a part of the Maple Leafs roster in 2016/17.

With Lamoriello, Shanahan and Babcock running the show, you can be sure that Marner will not start the season if he is not fully prepared for what’s to come.

The rebuild/retooling process is still underway and with a number of players like Michalek, Greening and Laich still on the Leafs roster, they are at least one season away from becoming a legit bubble team. So as much as Marner would be useful in the Leafs lineup, they may choose to go this route due to the circumstances. My hope is that Marner will strut his stuff in a nine game stint at the start of the season and the Leafs will have no other option but to keep the young stud.

Where does Marner see himself next season and how will it affect him going forward?

Mitch knows he is a smaller frame, he also knows there are other NHL players who are similar in size and are very effective. His goal is to gain 7+ pounds getting him into the 170+ pound plateau where he feels head coach Babcock will be satisfied to an extent. Coming into his second camp Marner has an idea of what to expect and how to move forward, and that’s what he focuses on; always getting better and learning more.

Marner understands the situation he’s in, and is handling it quite maturely ensuring that “No matter where I play next year, I’ll be getting better”.

London is a place that Mitch Marner has matured into the hockey play he is today, and will certainly never forget his time on the London Knights. Obviously he would be disappointed if he didn’t make the Leafs next season, but he’s got the right attitude. “I love it in London, I’ve turned into the player I am because of that place.” The Knight will have another powerhouse team next season and even more so if they have Marner for his last OHL season.

Matthews took a journey to London to watch the Knights in the playoffs. Mitch and Auston met and Matthews was impressed of Marner’s overall game. “He’s pretty well known, and is a special player” Matthews said of Marner. Marner was quoted saying that “he’s a great kid; he’s not cocky at all. If you didn’t know what had happened, you wouldn’t know he went first overall, he’s really calm and when he steps on the ice, he’s got the confidence that he knows what he can do with the puck.”

Marner speaking of Matthews as a ‘kid’ made me chuckle as Marner is only a year older, and certainly looks a lot younger than Matthews. But it sure is great to see that they are enjoying themselves at camp and have good things to say about each other. Could this be a dynamic duo in the making?

Marner and Matthews had their first skate together in the blue and white and the two seem to be on the same page from the get go, as you could expect from two future superstars. It’s exciting times in Leafs Nation as the rookies are all prepping themselves for an off season of training hard and preparing for September’s camp where they will be firing on all cylinders looking to impress the coaching staff and management.

Matthews will undoubtedly start the season with the Maple Leafs, and should have no problem being a mainstay going forward. Marner is the one who has his work cut out for him, I have faith and so should you. This kid is ultra-talented and if he and Matthews click and produce like they have the potential to do, look out; pure domination, and for years to come.

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer.

Thanks for reading.

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