Antropovsky
Registered User
- Jun 2, 2007
- 14,258
- 5,368
Im reserving judgement on Marner until i see him play without elite nhl snipers. His centers have been top 5 goal scorers for the past two seasons. Before that...his linemates were JVR, Bozak and Kadri (still damn good goal scorers but lesser than Matthews and Tavares), however he was a 60 point player, while Matthews was already a point per game player at that time. Marner gets Tavares and his assists jump by 18 points and goals marginally go up (for one season)... did Marner improve or was he given a superstar linemate that improved Marners stats?
Im not convinced Marners skills translate to a point per game player if he is on a team with lesser skilled players. Hall had 93 points when the next best forward had 54....rookie hischier. What are Marners totals if he was in Halls place. Cant tell ya... because he has never been put in a place to carry his own line, he always has had significant support. Yet he is paid as if he is a top 5 skilled player in the league. We know Eichel can produce without elite linemates, we know Matthews can, Mcdavid, Panarin, Tavares, Mackinnon all can. All these players routinely hover around 30 more goals per year too or more. They are capable passers, goal scorers and skaters and have good size. which make them more dangerous. Sure it is unfair to say he couldnt because he never has had to... but i think it is outrageous to make him a top paid player without making him carry a line by himself. I really question if his skillset would translate...once opposing players tighten up on him instead of his superstar linemates... or when he is routinely getting the toughest matchups... or if he being a pass first guy with an average shot doesnt have a top 5 nhl finisher. So far he has struggled in the playoffs when things have tightened around him.... just dont know - small, weak shot, not explosive in any way weak on his skates. So were basically banking on a small winger version of Joe Thornton? Or is Johnny Gaudreau a better comparison?he certainly is not comparable to Kane...who is much more polished in every offensive category. Regardless hes too unproven in my opinion to be paid $500 000 less than Matthews.
Just very unfortunate that Dubas paid him like a superstar. Especially with all the added leverage that Toronto offers like... great city, additional promotion of your personal brand, huge bonuses in contracts, willingness to include NMC, and highly skilled teammates.
Hoping Marner proves me wrong.
Im not convinced Marners skills translate to a point per game player if he is on a team with lesser skilled players. Hall had 93 points when the next best forward had 54....rookie hischier. What are Marners totals if he was in Halls place. Cant tell ya... because he has never been put in a place to carry his own line, he always has had significant support. Yet he is paid as if he is a top 5 skilled player in the league. We know Eichel can produce without elite linemates, we know Matthews can, Mcdavid, Panarin, Tavares, Mackinnon all can. All these players routinely hover around 30 more goals per year too or more. They are capable passers, goal scorers and skaters and have good size. which make them more dangerous. Sure it is unfair to say he couldnt because he never has had to... but i think it is outrageous to make him a top paid player without making him carry a line by himself. I really question if his skillset would translate...once opposing players tighten up on him instead of his superstar linemates... or when he is routinely getting the toughest matchups... or if he being a pass first guy with an average shot doesnt have a top 5 nhl finisher. So far he has struggled in the playoffs when things have tightened around him.... just dont know - small, weak shot, not explosive in any way weak on his skates. So were basically banking on a small winger version of Joe Thornton? Or is Johnny Gaudreau a better comparison?he certainly is not comparable to Kane...who is much more polished in every offensive category. Regardless hes too unproven in my opinion to be paid $500 000 less than Matthews.
Just very unfortunate that Dubas paid him like a superstar. Especially with all the added leverage that Toronto offers like... great city, additional promotion of your personal brand, huge bonuses in contracts, willingness to include NMC, and highly skilled teammates.
Hoping Marner proves me wrong.