2 years to fully develop is very normal. Especially when the team is expected to suck like the Leafs. Regardless of how talented the kid is.
- DamnBrasKiss

Not so much with top 6 picks. I agree with the statement otherwise. Again, I'm as open to him taking two, even three years as I am to him making the team. I believe in letting Marner's play do the talking.

2-3 years, yes.
- DamnBrasKiss

If it takes Mariner 3yrs to get in the NHL his talent level needs to be questioned..

Parenteau is going to crash and burn. He was bought out for a reason. Name 1 player who was bought out, then had better numbers the next year? It doesn't happen.
- LeafsBlueline

I think he'll put up better numbers in 56 games with the Leafs than with the Habs.

Burn, my point isn't about rushing them, it's that we can't be talking absolutes with Marner. We haven't drafted a guy of his ilk since Vincent Damphouse. It's a two way street, if he's not ready, don't rush him. If he is ready, don't pigeon hole him just because of some organizational mandate. Let the kid do his talking on the ice. Then make your decisions.
- mykokes

I agree. Was pointing to those that said he's a bust if he's not here to start 2017..... Ryan strome not a bust, but according to that logic he is.

Let the kid tell you when he's ready.


If he can play in the nhl at 19/20 but scores. 5-9 goals (see Ryan johansen) then breaks out for 3 after his elc is up is it worth it?

If it takes Mariner 3yrs to get in the NHL he's talent level needs to be questioned..
- Fruitcakenipple

Translated: he won't be who or what we're hoping he will be. And that's not terrible. And I also get what all the people here are saying about not rushing him. ie. Logan Couture took 3 years and he's turned out way better than Sam Gagner and Kyle Turris. Hell Nik Antropov probably should've been given 3 years too.
But I haven't made a decision just yet on how good Marner is right now. I'll save that decision for preseason.

I think he'll put up better numbers in 56 games with the Leafs than with the Habs.
- zazzle

Top PP min should make a diff...Pretty sure the Leafs are banking on it...

which is more talent than kanye (frank)ing west will ever have

and he plays a martin guitar
- jimi james

I'd love to see someone drop him when rushes the stage because one of his homies did not win.

This is a non-issue.
If he is ready, he is ready.
What Babcock said, is not burning a year on ELC if a player is not ready.

Marner playing 60+ games this season and getting 30+ points would not be 'a waste'.

The argument has a flipside as well:

my scenario (3y of ELC, starting 2015-2016):
30points - 45points - 65 points.

your scenario (3y of ELC, starting 2017-2018)
65 points - 70 points - 75 points.

Now what's the best position for Toronto Maple Leafs to negotiate a new 5y+ deal?
(considering TML won't be battling for the cup next three years, Marner's cap hit will be more important 2018 and beyond than before that).
- MaximusAurelius

Sure.... What are the chances though?

I agree. Was pointing to those that said he's a bust if he's not here to start 2017..... Ryan strome not a bust, but according to that logic he is.

Let the kid tell you when he's ready.


If he can play in the nhl at 19/20 but scores. 5-9 goals (see Ryan johansen) then breaks out for 3 after his elc is up is it worth it?
- burn

On the flip side, if he makes it, it might be a case of Babcock wanting to oversee his development as a Sith Lord.

Not so much with top 6 picks. I agree with the statement otherwise. Again, I'm as open to him taking two, even three years as I am to him making the team. I believe in letting Marner's play do the talking.
- mykokes

100% agree with you.
I'm saying that if he needs 2 years give him two years.
I don't expect him to need two years to be NHL ready though, and in fact it would be a huge disappointment if a top 5 drafted fw would need 2+y to be ready for NHL.
Compared to the other players that were drafted top 5 last couple of years, Marner is amongst the best of them (based on junior point production).

Some people might share my expectations, but based on what we've seen with recent top 5 drafted forwards, these expectations are less 'absurd' then the expectations of Marner needing 2-3years before being NHL ready.

Sure.... What are the chances though?
- burn

my guess is 50-50.

If it takes Mariner 3yrs to get in the NHL his talent level needs to be questioned..
- Fruitcakenipple

Ryan strome agrees.

2 years to fully develop is very normal. Especially when the team is expected to suck like the Leafs. Regardless of how talented the kid is.
- DamnBrasKiss

1 final year in junior, 1 year on the farm....then start in the NHL

minimum

Translated: he won't be who or what we're hoping he will be. And that's not terrible. And I also get what all the people here are saying about not rushing him. ie. Logan Couture took 3 years and he's turned out way better than Sam Gagner and Kyle Turris. Hell Nik Antropov probably should've been given 3 years too.
But I haven't made a decision just yet on how good Marner is right now. I'll save that decision for preseason.
- mykokes

Most awkward mother(frank)er I've ever seen on skates
Wicked shot though, and not afraid to go into the dirty areas

Not so much with top 6 picks. I agree with the statement otherwise. Again, I'm as open to him taking two, even three years as I am to him making the team. I believe in letting Marner's play do the talking.
- mykokes

At least one year in juniors for 3 of the top 6 guys drafted in 2013.


3rd overall - Drouin

2013–14 Halifax Mooseheads QMJHL 46 29 79 108
2014–15 Syracuse Crunch AHL 2 1 2 3 0
2014–15 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 70 4 28 32 34

4th overall - Nurse

2013–14 Oklahoma City Barons AHL 4 0 1 1
2014–15 Edmonton Oilers NHL 2 0 0 0 0
2014–15 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds OHL 36 10 23

6th overall - Shinkaruk

2013–14 Medicine Hat Tigers WHL 18 5 11 16 29
2014-15 Utica Comets AHL 74 16 15 31 28

I'd love to see someone drop him
- zazzle

agreed

If it takes Mariner 3yrs to get in the NHL his talent level needs to be questioned..
- Fruitcakenipple

Full time? I say 2 years, his 3rd being full time.

my guess is 50-50.
- MaximusAurelius

Considering the amount of (I used u20) players who do that at that age is almost unheard of that 50-50 is incredibly high.

if he plays top 6 mins with linemates who have some offensive punch

for instance.. a line of holland centring say Parenteau and Matthias might be a nice lil effective second line
- Dozzer

You mean if we can get Matt Duchene or John Tavares to centre him (the only time he has ever succeeded) we are golden? Sweet! Bozak is like, at least...3 times a player as those two.

Ryan strome agrees.
- burn

Oh....If he was all that he would be in the NHL...Talent issue

1 final year in junior, 1 year on the farm....then start in the NHL

minimum
- jimi james

What this guy said.

1 final year in junior, 1 year on the farm....then start in the NHL

minimum
- jimi james

Cannot go the the ahl next year. 2 more years in the ohl or the nhl.

At least one year in juniors for 3 of the top 6 guys drafted in 2013.


3rd overall - Drouin

2013–14 Halifax Mooseheads QMJHL 46 29 79 108
2014–15 Syracuse Crunch AHL 2 1 2 3 0
2014–15 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 70 4 28 32 34

4th overall - Nurse

2013–14 Oklahoma City Barons AHL 4 0 1 1
2014–15 Edmonton Oilers NHL 2 0 0 0 0
2014–15 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds OHL 36 10 23

6th overall - Shinkaruk

2013–14 Medicine Hat Tigers WHL 18 5 11 16 29
2014-15 Utica Comets AHL 74 16 15 31 28
- DamnBrasKiss

Nurse was 7th overall and Shinkaruk was 24th lol.

The top six were Mckinnon, barkov, drouin, jones, lindholm and monahan
Mckinnon, barkov, jones, linholm and monahan all went right into the NHL. Only Drouin took a year longer.

You mean if we can get Matt Duchene or John Tavares to centre him (the only time he has ever succeeded) we are golden? Sweet! Bozak is like, at least...3 times a player as those two.
- AdamFrench

Kadri thinks he is...Will that do??

On the flip side, if he makes it, it might be a case of Babcock wanting to oversee his development as a Sith Lord.
- mykokes

Maybe. But being London, and with hunter I don't think they are too worried about overseeing his development.