Meh, at least they did soemthing in the playoffs.
Also, they won the presidents trophy last season ,no?
Doesnt sound like barely a playoff team.
Had a rough go this season.
- Fakepartofme

They were literally barely a playoff team. A Pittsburgh win vs Chicago in their last game and Florida doesn't even make the playoffs.

Macaulay with another horsepoop call.

Capisce

but whom shall depart if they do depart?
Could there be more than one?
- dmnted

I wouldn’t move more than one (due to JT contract).

- JT can’t be moved (in reality)
- 34 shouldn’t be moved

So that leaves 16 & 88 - to me the return from Marner is better and the cap hit of Willy next contract will be less than current Marner and definitely much lower than Marner next one in a couple.

Again, absolutely think both are very good talented players - just can’t keep pushing a door that needs to be pulled you know

They were literally barely a playoff team. A Pittsburgh win vs Chicago in their last game and Florida doesn't even make the playoffs.
- joel878

And yet we couldn't beat them.

All this shows is how little the regular season matters.

Unfortunately, we are just a regular season JUGGERNAUT.

I wouldn’t move more than one (due to JT contract).

- JT can’t be moved (in reality)
- 34 shouldn’t be moved

So that leaves 16 & 88 - to me the return from Marner is better and the cap hit of Willy next contract will be less than current Marner and definitely much lower than Marner next one in a couple.

Again, absolutely think both are very good talented players - just can’t keep pushing a door that needs to be pulled you know
- Big23Questions

Marner is already overpaid. They can't give this guy more.

Sorry for flooding the posts here eh

Not sure if anyone understands this but when I watch Eichel skate (though very fast) he gives me the shakes man. You know when you have those dreams where you are running or jumping but you can’t quite do it in sync or as good as you want because there is some weird timing or body out of rhythm thing…that’s what he looks like skating.

🤦‍♂️
- fifty__missions

It’s incredible isn’t it?

From Previous Blog:

I agree with this. From an outside standpoint I would keep Nylander all day. He plays much better in playoffs, provides elite Top 6 offence.

Neither is physical.

Marner kills on pk but is not good 5v5 defensively.

Leafs pk would be fine without Marner. They may get less scoring chances while on pk but really shorties typically don’t make or break making the postseason and are not very common especially in playoffs when teams are more dialled in.

Nylander is not good defensively (any situation).

Marner as a winger makes WAY to much cash.

Nylander next contract will still be cheaper than Marners current one.

34 scores regardless of who he plays with.

Leafs still make playoffs without Marner and it’s crazy to suggest they wouldn’t. If you took 34 off the team they still make the playoffs.

Marner is a giveaway machine. He disappears (impact wise) in playoffs because he has less time and space to make his plays. It works regular season and in Jr but in the NHL playoffs it does not. His plays are super high risk at the wrong time.

Both are VERY good players. I personally enjoy watching boys creativity and offence. I dislike how opposed they both are to physicality though but real good wingers regardless.

Based on Cap & Return I trade Marner ALL DAY
- Big23Questions



Thank you for summarizing all my thoughts! Agree with all of the above.
It's a funny thing. The 80's and 90's are generally thought to be way more physical than today, but I actually believe Marner would have thrived back then.
These days, the larger average player size, and systems that get played to perfection, limit a player like Marner's ability to do what he does best. It sort of sucks, because during the regular season, it's a joy to watch him; he really may be the most fun guy to watch in the league, when he has time.
I doubt Gretzky would have been what he was in today's game either. Lindros in his prime on the other hand, would have likely been unstoppable today.
I just can't stand watching an $11M dollar player, get routinely nullified by a $2M opposing player, EVERY SINGLE PLAYOFF.
Rant aside, I'd love him to suddenly click and turn into Doug Gilmour every playoff. I thought he had it in him to do just that his first few years. Doesn't seem likely anymore.
- oldstyle

You’re right.

They give out Selke nominations to bad 5vs5 players.

I wouldn’t move more than one (due to JT contract).

- JT can’t be moved (in reality)
- 34 shouldn’t be moved

So that leaves 16 & 88 - to me the return from Marner is better and the cap hit of Willy next contract will be less than current Marner and definitely much lower than Marner next one in a couple.

Again, absolutely think both are very good talented players - just can’t keep pushing a door that needs to be pulled you know
- Big23Questions

someone early posted Keller, Crouse for Marner. I don't think Arizona would do that as Keller is their better forwards.
Crouse + Ottawa 1st 23 + Florida's 2nd in 2024 for Marner

Fifty your shtick is to moan and complain constantly. I’m pretty sure that I’m not the only one on here that wonders why you care enough to even be here.
- shack67

There’s 5-6 of you’s who attack everyone who doesn’t follow whatever the “narrative de jour” is. Then you label them as whiners.

You just don’t like when someone challenges your opinion.

Vegas double up in the game

someone early posted Keller, Crouse for Marner. I don't Arizona doing this as Keller is their better forwards.
Crouse + Ottawa 1st 23 + Florida's 2nd in 2024 for Marner
- dmnted

All incredibly stupid takes.

Marner is every bit as good as Matthews.

All incredibly stupid takes.

Marner is every bit as good as Matthews.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Crouse + Ottawa 1st 23 + Conditional Florida's 2nd in 2024 for Nylander

condition that Nylander resigns with Arizona


there Vegas with another one ......

You’re right.

They give out Selke nominations to bad 5vs5 players.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

So, the media gives out awards - actual hockey folks hand out Teds trophy.

The pts collected mixed in combination with the work on the PK is the reason for the Selke.

Marner is not a good defensive player 5v5. The game is fundamentally extremely different 5v5 than it is PK/PP. Assignments in all 3 zones change. Fact is - the assignments get split even within the zones eh. It’s so different.

PK - game slows down considerably. Thinking is less on tue fly and more structured with body and stick. The engagement of your teammates are also vastly different forcing plays that wouldn’t be forced 5v5.

Just take a peek at they come up the ice and the gaps. Zone entries, in zone first pass is different.

It’s just a completely different game man. He’s not good 5v5.

…think of it in Justin Holl terms - it’s why he’s better at killing penalties and yet constantly looses his assignment at 5v5. Thinking on the fly on the defensive side of the puck is not a strong point of Holl either is skating. PK is less quick on the fly thought and more structure limited movement.

I know you can’t stand Willy so I point out that Marner is certainly better defensively 5v5 than Willy by a lot.

someone early posted Keller, Crouse for Marner. I don't think Arizona would do that as Keller is their better forwards.
Crouse + Ottawa 1st 23 + Florida's 2nd in 2024 for Marner
- dmnted

I would do that personally. Marner is the best player in the deal by a bit - but the combo and what Keller AND Crouse bring to the lineup structure and (Crouse) physically, makes the Leafs a better team than with just the best player or the 3…puck is a unique game eh! You can lose the best player on the deal but can still come out a better TEAM (within reason obviously)…Leafs would also get some more Cap space for FAs there too with that one

Sorry EDIT: I agree - Coyotes would not do this at all though

So, the media gives out awards - actual hockey folks hand out Teds trophy.

The pts collected mixed in combination with the work on the PK is the reason for the Selke.

Marner is not a good defensive player 5v5. The game is fundamentally extremely different 5v5 than it is PK/PP. Assignments in all 3 zones change. Fact is - the assignments get split even within the zones eh. It’s so different.

PK - game slows down considerably. Thinking is less on tue fly and more structured with body and stick. The engagement of your teammates are also vastly different forcing plays that wouldn’t be forced 5v5.

Just take a peek at they come up the ice and the gaps. Zone entries, in zone first pass is different.

It’s just a completely different game man. He’s not good 5v5.

…think of it in Justin Holl terms - it’s why he’s better at killing penalties and yet constantly looses his assignment at 5v5. Thinking on the fly on the defensive side of the puck is not a strong point of Holl either is skating. PK is less quick on the fly thought and more structure limited movement.

I know you can’t stand Willy so I point out that Marner is certainly better defensively 5v5 than Willy by a lot.
- Big23Questions

How did you figure that out?

Crouse + Ottawa 1st 23 + Conditional Florida's 2nd in 2024 for Nylander

condition that Nylander resigns with Arizona


there Vegas with another one ......
- dmnted

They need to use Nylander for either a massive power forward to play with Matthews and Marner, or for a legit #1D. But they’ll likely have to sweeten the pot to get one. Whichever team acquiring him will already know he’ll demand 10mil and that he’s easily, undoubtedly the softest player in the league. Hard to imagine his return would be as high as we hope.

I don’t think there’s ever been a fanbase that’s so ruthless towards their best player as Leafs fans are to Marner. He’s so much better than some give him credit for. His contract is fine. 2X NHL first team all-star (best RW’er in the game), consistent 90+ pt player, great penalty killer. It’s truly stunning the hate he receives. He’s actually a bargain at his price. But sure, let’s just give Matthews 14 Mil.

How did you figure that out?
- jribout

I’m smarter than the average bear…I get it though (the Willy haters) - he isn’t physical and has that no panic smooth Lemieux like (NOT EVEN A FRACTION OF 66 TALENT!!) that makes him look lazy and uncaring.

To be fair - I have seen Willy (opinion) give up on pucks. But I’ve also seen Marner do it or I’ve seen him tapping at a ref and bot back checking or skating. Mitch overall has a shorter chopping stride as opposed to a smooth power stride - optics favours the egg beater legs

How did you figure that out?
- jribout

I can’t stand how soft he is.

oh look at that FLA just sscored

I can’t stand how soft he is.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

But you absolutely love the other soft player on the Leafs.... Which is just another inconsitent take

oh look at that FLA just sscored
- dmnted

Flukiest goal

But you absolutely love the other soft player on the Leafs.... Which is just another inconsitent take
- jribout

Marner is still more physical than Willy.

Marner will block shots, get in lanes, go to the front of the net. Marner plays with heart at least.

But you absolutely love the other soft player on the Leafs.... Which is just another inconsitent take
- jribout

Marner is still more physical than Willy.

Marner will block shots, get in lanes, go to the front of the net. Marner plays with heart at least.

The point is that the entire team can’t be made up of soft players. Nylander is the softest player I have ever seen in the NHL. The worst part about it is that he’s not that small.

They need to use Nylander for either a massive power forward to play with Matthews and Marner, or for a legit #1D. But they’ll likely have to sweeten the pot to get one. Whichever team acquiring him will already know he’ll demand 10mil and that he’s easily, undoubtedly the softest player in the league. Hard to imagine his return would be as high as we hope.

I don’t think there’s ever been a fanbase that’s so ruthless towards their best player as Leafs fans are to Marner. He’s so much better than some give him credit for. His contract is fine. 2X NHL first team all-star (best RW’er in the game), consistent 90+ pt player, great penalty killer. It’s truly stunning the hate he receives. He’s actually a bargain at his price. But sure, let’s just give Matthews 14 Mil.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Says the guy who obsessively pukes on Nylander at every corner. Stop trying to victimize everyone ffs, you do the same exact thing in criticizing players.