Humiliating scene proves Mitch Marner isn't built for the playoffs
The Toronto Maple Leafs' core four is a very divisive topic. They are certainly expensive, and all very talented, but they haven't gotten 'it' done when it really matters.
If one player stands out beyond the rest in this group, it is Mitch Marner, who has proven again and again that his game doesn't translate to the playoffs. It is becoming a more serious problem now, as the Maple Leafs fight one of their toughest competitors in years.
The core four of Auston Matthews, William Nylander, John Tavares, and the aforementioned Nylander will take up $46,653,000 on the salary cap next season, which is a scary thought if they continue to plunder in the playoffs.
Last night, although the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Boston Bruins 3-2, Mitch Marner had a horrible game. One particular scene, where Marner caused a turnover just because he was afraid to get hit by Charlie McAvoy shined above the rest.
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While it is an affront to call any NHL player 'soft', since hockey is such an overtly physical game, Marner isn't doing himself any favours.
If the on-ice play wasn't telling enough, the analytics are even worse. While Auston Matthews' line was dominant, Marner's was laughably bad.
Not going to work.
Something needs to change for the Maple Leafs to have a deep playoff run, and it starts with the player that makes $10,903,000 annually. If you want to be paid like one of the best, you'd better play like it!
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 23 | 309 ANSWERS Humiliating scene proves Mitch Marner isn't built for the playoffs Do you think Mitch Marner is a soft player? | ||
| Yes | 255 | 82.5 % |
| No | 54 | 17.5 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Jason Robertson | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Chandler Stephenson | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Sebastian Aho | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Jalen Chatfield | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Mikael Granlund | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Roope Hintz | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Wyatt Johnston | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Brandon Montour | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| William Nylander | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Mitch Marner | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Jaden Schwartz | - | 2 | 2 | |
| John Tavares | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Jamie Benn | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Evgeny Dadonov | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Yanni Gourde | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Pontus Holmberg | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Fraser Minten | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Ryan Poehling | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Jack Roslovic | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Daniel Sprong | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Complete stats | ||||
| STANDINGS 2024-2025 | ||||||
TOP 10 | GP | W | L | OL | PTS | |
Jets | 19 | 16 | 3 | - | 32 | |
Hurricanes | 18 | 14 | 4 | - | 28 | |
Capitals | 18 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 27 | |
Wild | 18 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 27 | |
Maple Leafs | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Devils | 21 | 12 | 7 | 2 | 26 | |
Rangers | 17 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 25 | |
Panthers | 19 | 12 | 6 | 1 | 25 | |
Stars | 18 | 12 | 6 | - | 24 | |
Golden Knights | 19 | 11 | 6 | 2 | 24 | |
| Conference | Cumulative | ||||||