C Mitchell Marner - London Knights, OHL (2015, 4th, TOR) III

[HarrisonFord]

Marner is one of my favorite prospects, but plays like that will never work against NHL players.

What's important, however, is that he's a smart enough kid to adapt his game when he finds out that something won't work anymore. And I'm sure he's also smart enough to figure out what that new thing will be

 

[BigWilly]

Since he's playing in the OHL, it makes sense to play in a manner that is effective in the OHL. Does anyone feel differently?

Yeah I agree, when people say stuff like "that wouldn't work in the NHL" it's pretty nit picky. The point is, players capable of doing such things in lower leagues have a higher chance of adapting offensively in the NHL.

If you were a high school student who breezed your way through with a 4.0 GPA, you're more likely to succeed in university than someone who had responsible study habits but a 3.5 GPA. The reason being is most students will adapt their habits at a higher level, and when they do, the individuals with a higher intellectual capacity usually prevail. The same principle applies here in my opinion.

 

[member 157595]

So all the famous posts by leafs fans are true.

You actually think playing meaningless ahl Hockey would gain him more experience then playing at an international tournament watched by millions? The pace at the world juniors is more highly contested and paced then most NHL games will hinder his development?

Weird.

I can play that game, too.

Nylander is playing huge minutes in all situations in a men's league. The AHL is one of the best hockey leagues in the world and has been developing players for the NHL for decades. In fact, he may be one of the best players in that league. Why on earth would Toronto want to send one of their highly touted employees to some kiddie tournament that 1) is out of their control, and 2) he's already attended in the past?

 

[Shwaguy*]

As a center you need to support the play in the corners, at 160 hes just to slight.

Good thing he's not 160 lmao

 

[HockeyGuruPitka]

Good thing he's not 160 lmao

Ok 164 off by 4 lbs. http://www.londonknights.com/roster/index/team/14/season/last

 

[KGL]

Ok 164 off by 4 lbs. http://www.londonknights.com/roster/index/team/14/season/last

Not sure how up to date that is. He was listed as 170lbs at training camp.

 

[Knightnight]

Ok 164 off by 4 lbs. http://www.londonknights.com/roster/index/team/14/season/last

The quotes of easily knocked off the puck tell me you NEVER watch a game. Please provide some video to back up the claim because its actually one of his strengths in winning puck battles and using his edges as leverage against bigger players.

 

[3 Minute Minor]

every time I come in here there is someone obsessing over size as if it matters.

 

[Face Of Bear]

being better then your competition>being bigger then your competition

 

[Holymakinaw]

As a center you need to support the play in the corners, at 160 hes just to slight.

LOL. Is that the rule?

Wayne Gretzky RETIRED at 38 years old, at 6' and 185lbs. When he entered the league as an 18 year old, he was pretty much exactly Marner's height & weight. It didn't slow Wayne down too much.

Marner will fill out, and add the same inch or two in height, and 15-20lbs in weight that everyone else does. He'll be fine.

 

[Matias Maccete]

What's important, however, is that he's a smart enough kid to adapt his game when he finds out that something won't work anymore. And I'm sure he's also smart enough to figure out what that new thing will be

Yup, if he wasn't a very smart player it would be a concern but he'll adapt to the NHL and still be very effective.

 

[BigWilly]

LOL. Is that the rule?

Wayne Gretzky RETIRED at 38 years old, at 6' and 185lbs. When he entered the league as an 18 year old, he was pretty much exactly Marner's height & weight. It didn't slow Wayne down too much.

Marner will fill out, and add the same inch or two in height, and 15-20lbs in weight that everyone else does. He'll be fine.

I know this wasn't the intention, but let's not bring Wayne into this

 

[93LEAFS]

Well, 1 goal and 2 assists so far, he's going to put up crazy numbers if they keep this line together all year.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Best player in the OHL

 

[dubey]

Best player in the OHL

Best player not in the NHL

 

[Woll Smoth]

The quotes of easily knocked off the puck tell me you NEVER watch a game. Please provide some video to back up the claim because its actually one of his strengths in winning puck battles and using his edges as leverage against bigger players.

That's what I thought too.
Sounds like someone's opinion got swayed by the people harping on his size all summer (who probably never watched Marner play) and just threw a vague statement out there just for the sake of saying something negative.

 

[XX]

every time I come in here there is someone obsessing over size as if it matters.

It matters at the NHL level.

 

[Hero]

14 points in his last 4 games. 3.5 PPG
28 points in his last 11 games. 2.54 PPG
35 points in all 17 games. 2.06 PPG

So has been heating up as the season goes.

 

[kk87]

It matters at the NHL level.

Looks like you're a Coyotes fan. Go tell Max Domi that it matters

 

[KGL]

It matters at the NHL level.

Not really. Or at least not as much as people pretend it does.

Marner is already the same size as Claude Giroux at 18. His size is no issue.

 

[Ovate]

Not really. Or at least not as much as people pretend it does.

Marner is already the same size as Claude Giroux at 18. His size is no issue.

Claude Giroux would be a better player if he was 6'2".

Being 5'11" isn't going to stop Marner from being a great player, but his size is a drawback.

 

[Bryanbryoil]

Still very early and he seems to be a slow starter. Pretty sure he'll rotate from C to wing a lot (think Zetterberg). The 1st line (and the PP unit where Marner plays the QB role) are going crazy, I assume they'll keep that togeather til they enter a mini slump. Plus Nylander is excelling as a C in the AHL right now. I'd love Matthews, but he appears to be the only franchise center, the fins and Tkachuk are wingers and Chychrun is a D, I don't think they'll reach for Brown if they are top 5 over those 3. And who knows we have caproom and two first line centers are hitting the market, we will obviously make a play for the best available.

Thanks for the rundown.

Nylander

Nylander looks like a franchise centre though.

I honestly have not seen much of him. If he ends up that caliber of player the Leafs rebuild could be a swift one.

Agree

He should tie up his linemates and play 1 on 5

they all have similar numbers its not like one is running away with points, Tkachuk has two more games played then Dvorak and Marner as well

I get that, I just find it odd since last season he had by far the best PPG on his team even over Domi who is doing quite well at the NHL level this season. This is nothing against him because I already know that he is ultra skilled, it just seems a little odd is all.

 

[XX]

Looks like you're a Coyotes fan. Go tell Max Domi that it matters

Domi is 200lbs. He has a frame Marner will never have. Size is more than one dimension. Players like Giroux are the exception. Larger centers just translate better. I don't know why fans get so defensive about this. Marner will be a great player, just not a center.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Marner is one of my favorite prospects, but plays like that will never work against NHL players.

Why not? Johnny Gaudreau does it on a nightly basis.

 

[Pyromaniac]

Domi is 200lbs. He has a frame Marner will never have. Size is more than one dimension. Players like Giroux are the exception. Larger centers just translate better. I don't know why fans get so defensive about this. Marner will be a great player, just not a center.

Clearly you know better than the man that drafted this kid in two different leagues and watched his career more closely than anyone else.