Speculation: Marner's progression to the teams leading scorer...

[Wafflewhipper]

Matthews had a better points per game over the entirety of the season and injury factored in but Marner leads in points at the end.

Am i the only one that thinks he will be our leading scorer multiple times in the future!!!

I can't help but think that as he progresses to being 5 pounds stronger here and finally gets up to something like 190 or 195 pounds there,that he is going to be pretty much unstoppable with that skill and strength.

Congrats to our little winger that could on leading the team in scoring though. He could score a 100 points next year. Just saying

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[TOGuy14]

Marner absolutely crushes it on the PP, which isn't an insult it is just what star players do with the extra space.

Matthews needs to capitalize on his PP time if he wants the points. Hoping more time with Johnsson on the PP next season over Komarov will fix that. They had some chemistry in small sample sizes last year.

 

[Stephen]

I wonder if we might end up with a Lecavalier-St. Louis kind of situation where the 1st overall glamorous number one center gets eclipsed by the little superstar. Throw in William Nylander as a possible Brad Richards and you have an interesting dynamic.

In summary, Marner looks like he's got a great motor to go with his top end ability. If Matthews can keep in front of him we will be in good shape.

 

[Community]

Marner absolutely crushes it on the PP, which isn't an insult it is just what star players do with the extra space.

Matthews needs to capitalize on his PP time if he wants the points. Hoping more time with Johnsson on the PP next season over Komarov will fix that. They had some chemistry in small sample sizes last year.

One of the biggest issues was the talent difference of the other players on the ice.

Rielly and Marner >> Gardiner and Nylander as PP QB's.

JVR was great in front of the net and the Leafs usually had Komorov in front of the net for the Matthews powerplay. Komorov was only used for screening (which he wasn't even that good at), but JVR was an option for deflections, quick shots, and cross crease passes.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

Matthews still had more 5v5 points than Marner despite missing a quarter of the season. Marner is an absolute fiend on the powerplay, but I don't think his advantage there will last forever. Matthews has legit 100 point potential once he gets going with the man advantage.

Really they should be playing together in all situations though. their skillsets complement each other perfectly

 

[BertCorbeau]

After a slower start he really turned it on and took a step forward, especially in the playoffs. Really excited to see how he looks next season after another summer in the gym and maturing.

 

[Sypher04]

Really they should be playing together in all situations though. their skillsets complement each other perfectly

On the Power play sure. Otherwise, no, they probably shouldn't. Not if we want anything resembling a balanced attack

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

On the Power play sure. Otherwise, no, they probably shouldn't. Not if we want anything resembling a balanced attack

if Nylander and Kadri can't help create a balanced attack, the Leafs have bigger problems

 

[Sypher04]

if Nylander and Kadri can't help create a balanced attack, the Leafs have bigger problems

Nylander and Matthews already have chemistry, as do Marner and Kadri. Kadri and Nylander however have not had any in their time together.

Not really sure why we would be reinventing the wheel when it already works so well.

If we happen to sign Tavares things could go in the blender but otherwise I'm just not seeing it.

 

[MR4]

Nylander and Matthews already have chemistry, as do Marner and Kadri. Kadri and Nylander however have not had any in their time together.

Not really sure why we would be reinventing the wheel when it already works so well.

If we happen to sign Tavares things could go in the blender but otherwise I'm just not seeing it.

Johnsson-Matthews-Marner
Marleau-Nylander-Kapanen
Hyman-Kadri-Brown/Grundstrom

That looks like a balanced attack with upgrading lines 1&2 while the Kadri line is downgraded but he had a 60 point season with Komarov when he played like Hyman and Brown as well so think it'd be fine

 

[Suntouchable13]

Matthews, when healthy, will outproduce Marner almost every single time. It doesn't matter, though, they are both great. I am hoping Matthews will get #1 PP minutes and he will feast. Matthews and Marner should absolutely play together on the PP.

 

[diceman934]

Matthews, when healthy, will outproduce Marner almost every single time. It doesn't matter, though, they are both great. I am hoping Matthews will get #1 PP minutes and he will feast. Matthews and Marner should absolutely play together on the PP.

Disagree last season until Marner got sick he was leading Mathews in points with both being rookies.

I think that they will be close every year with Marner winning more then half of the team scoring championship.

If they play together both will get 100 Pts

Do you know what the difference in the pp were? Marner the man is our most skilled player with the puck.

 

[Nithoniniel]

He needs some consistency, once he gets it he could definitely score as much as Matthews.

 

[ULF_55]

Fact
Marner was 3rd. for even strength points, behind Matthews and Nylander.

Marner was on for more goals scored against at even strength than goals scored for. He was the only regular forward to be a minus player, -1, Matthews was +25.

Opinion
Center is a more difficult position to play.

 

[Wafflewhipper]

Fact
Marner was 3rd. for even strength points, behind Matthews and Nylander.

Marner was on for more goals scored against at even strength than goals scored for. He was the only regular forward to be a minus player, -1, Matthews was +25.

Opinion
Center is a more difficult position to play.

Are you factoring in that he went against the tougher quality of competition half the season. Then played with Jvr and Bozie who were both fairly weak defensively and then spot duty on the fourth line.

He was denied the consistency of linemates in comparison to Auston and Willy. Matthews has a lethal shot and power game advantage over Mitch.

Other skills and work ethic go to Marner. His vision and hockey IQ,passing are best on the team. His speed and zone entries while controlling the puck are elite in the league.

He has Joe Sakic type career written all over him. I say that because of how light Sakic was and the intensity that he played with.

He will prove to be the second best pick after McDavid in his draft year soon enough.

He is already showing more durable than Eichel while producing at .82 points per game to Eichels .85.

If that stat were to be put to points 60 marner would likely be out performing Eichel in career points 60.

I believe the sky is the limit league wide for Marner and not just on the Leafs.

When he gets stronger i suspect his quickness to become slightly more explosive off the boards and that could spell trouble for other teams in a huge way.

I have Matthews and Marner innthe same class and would like to see Willy play center with two good wingers.

All three are definitely still developing and we are so lucky

 

[frizzer1]

Marner is a great playmaker who needs a finisher on his line.
Matthews is a great shooter who needs a playmaker on his line..
So it all depends on who their linemates are ......either could lead the team in scoring with the right linemates.

 

[moon111]

Marner is a great playmaker who needs a finisher on his line.
Matthews is a great shooter who needs a playmaker on his line..
So it all depends on who their linemates are ......either could lead the team in scoring with the right linemates.

I think this holds very true for regular season success. But the old adage great players find ways of scoring... it just can't
be Nylander and Marner finding their shooter. It's way too easy for a determined, well-coached, defensive team to shut
that down. If Kadri and Matthews can get their assists into the mid-30's at least, it's demonstrating an ability to change
the game plan.

 

[Apotheosis]

Matthews-Marner makes so much sense. Both back off D because they can simply shred them with stick handling/speed/pure strength and their skillsets compliment each other perfectly. Put a guy like Grundstrom there who has shown he has NHL hands and finish (as well as being quite fast which never gets talked about) while also being gritty and winning the puck, and you have yourselves a top 5 first line in the NHL. Have Nylander pair with Kapanen and Johnsson and watch them feast on other teams weaker pairings (because the top pairing will always be against Matthews+Marner) on speed and skill alone. Roll Kadri, Hyman and Brown as a checking line with skill and grit (both wingers fit the mould of Kadri; gritty, hitting and willing to go to the dirty areas). Fill out the 4th line with talented Marlies who have come up and shown their worth.

 

[Mess]

Watch as Matthews gets +$10 mil per year and Marner signed to $6-7 mil on term.

There will be over $3 mil difference in contracts, and why do people think that will be?

It matters little if Marner outscores Matthews because Leafs management knows who impacts the game more and plays the more critical position and important to team success and thus paid significantly more in the process.

Its not about individual points.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Watch as Matthews gets +$10 mil per year and Marner signed to $6-7 mil on term.

There will be over $3 mil difference in contracts, and why do people think that will be?

It matters little if Marner outscores Matthews because Leafs management knows who impacts the game more and plays the more critical position and important to team success and thus paid significantly more in the process.

Its not about individual points.

Whatever insight management has on how important the players are won't enter into it at all IMO. What they'll get paid will depend on a few different things, mostly what comparable players in comparable situations got paid before them and within that range, they will try to sign them as cheap as possible.

 

[Lauro]

Watch as Matthews gets +$10 mil per year and Marner signed to $6-7 mil on term.

There will be over $3 mil difference in contracts, and why do people think that will be?

It matters little if Marner outscores Matthews because Leafs management knows who impacts the game more and plays the more critical position and important to team success and thus paid significantly more in the process.

Its not about individual points.

You're wrong, this thread is about individual points.

 

[Atomos2]

Will be difficult in the beginning for Marner to adjust to a powerplay without JVR, may take some time and forfeit some points. Will be interesting to see how the powerplay options change. Have no idea who could take on JVR's role. Maybe Marleau?

 

[Mess]

You're wrong, this thread is about individual points.

OK, but its not individual points that confirm better nor more important nor more impactful, as that is often determined by far more than just goals and assists.

A Centre >> Winger and contract $$ paid confirms that fact.

Marchand and Pastrnak outscore Bergeron but its Patrice that is the most important and valuable member of the line and paid the most. So most points by a winger is not uncommon on teams for example.

So Marner being the top scoring Leaf forward is a distinct possibility, but needs context when debating better player based on points alone.

 

[IPS]

OK, but its not individual points that confirm better nor more important nor more impactful, as that is often determined by far more than just goals and assists.

A Centre >> Winger and contract $$ paid confirms that fact.

Marchand and Pastrnak outscore Bergeron but its Patrice that is the most important and valuable member of the line and paid the most. So most points by a winger is not uncommon on teams for example.

So Marner being the top scoring Leaf forward is a distinct possibility, but needs context when debating better player based on points alone.

What about Toews and Kane???

 

[Wafflewhipper]

Matthews-Marner makes so much sense. Both back off D because they can simply shred them with stick handling/speed/pure strength and their skillsets compliment each other perfectly. Put a guy like Grundstrom there who has shown he has NHL hands and finish (as well as being quite fast which never gets talked about) while also being gritty and winning the puck, and you have yourselves a top 5 first line in the NHL. Have Nylander pair with Kapanen and Johnsson and watch them feast on other teams weaker pairings (because the top pairing will always be against Matthews+Marner) on speed and skill alone. Roll Kadri, Hyman and Brown as a checking line with skill and grit (both wingers fit the mould of Kadri; gritty, hitting and willing to go to the dirty areas). Fill out the 4th line with talented Marlies who have come up and shown their worth.

I was also thinking Grundstron with them two.