Actually Babcock said it was because he was the youngest that he was the odd man out. I believe him one. Say if JVR was the youngest he would be down, with Bozak a bit different because of our center depth. I sort of agree with the 2 defensive forwards, but Brown brings more to that line than that. He brings an infectious work ethic and we know he can score. So in that sense, you should gain offense. I feel somewhat bad for Marner here, but he has to learn. Some of it has been bad luck, or not his fault. Last night for example, Bozak and JVR had several grade A chances and did not convert. The good from that line was way more offensive zone time than thus far, due to Browns unrelenting fore check.
What I saw in Marner early was that he looked slow. Which should be the direct opposite, as he put on 10 lbs of mostly leg muscle in the off season. I think that his age is playing another role here. His confidence is at an all time low. Part of that is his doing, part is his line mates were not converting. So what happens, he cheats. By that I mean he was leaving the defensive zone early. Staying on a bit too long. Trying too hard to make the perfect play, instead of using his elite hockey sense.
Further I do not think we see him on the 4th line much longer. He is to valuable to be there. I understand Mike has said "even scoring throughout," well we have 17 different players on the board right now, so that is not a problem. The thing is Babcock will not show his complete hand to the media, or even to the players. He is a coaching genius. This move was the correct one. Reward the work of a player, showing that you work, you move up. Sadly Marner is the causualty, age, and him being a minus 7 contributing factors here. But does he stay down much longer, I think there is no chance that happens. He is simply too much of our offense. The other good part of this is Babcock ingeniously puts Marner on the PP still, so he gets ice time, and confidence. That last PP against Detroit he controlled the play heavily, while we did not score, part of that was Bozak and then JVR missing an open net (again). I think we see Mitch's next move either back with his mates or more likely, with Kadri. Want a guy to be better on defense, put him with a line that is known for it. In addition we have to get Marleau going here, and I think the issue on the line is Komarov. While he is good defensively he simply is not get the puck to Kadri or Marleau for any zone time. The only time that happens if Marleau wins the foot race or Kadri. Another good note Kadri looks real good. Who knew a coach could change a player so much. Just a small piece here, but Gardiner, jeeze. He looked so good the first couple games, and since NJ the puck is now a grenade on his stick. If he could ever get that confidence back the way Zaits is playing look out. On the positive, it is slowly seeming like Rielly may turn a corner here. Exciting times.