That reminds me of when people claimed that Bozak was terrific on the backcheck. I tracked it for close to ten games, and Bozak was by far the worst back checker on his line. Even when he was the high guy, one of his wingers usually was the first man back.
With Marner, I really feel like there's a reputation effect there. He has a reputation as a constantly hard working player who is great defensively, ever since junior. He has a good work ethic, but it's not close to what someone like Hyman has. He's also got the laziest shift of any Leafs forward this season. I feel like he and Tavares gets a pass for plays like this based on reputation, while Matthews or Nylander gets roasted, also mostly based on reputation.
As for his defense. He can make great reads, his neutral zone defense is good, his ability to read the play and steal the puck at the offensive blue line is second-to-none, except maybe Stone. And his PK work when pressuring up ice just constantly makes me shake my head. It's ridiculous. All those things makes me understand why people give him tons of credit as a defensive player. But great defense doesn't come from the big plays, it comes from how you do on the hundreds of minor plays. Your positioning, how well you time creating pressure down low without giving up the point completely, never letting your guy get to the inside of you. That's harder to judge because it's hard to gauge the effect of so many plays, and that's where stats can help you out.
On-ice stats are not flattering for him there. On the other hand, you can look at for example Berkshire's rankings. Marner ranks very well there, with a 8.97 ranking out of a maximum 15. Nylander is right behind him. Both of them rate out well compared to most right wings on that list. Stone is head and shoulders above anyone else. Wheeler is a big step up on Marner too. But both our guys are in the next group.
Here's what those rankings are based on: 5-on-5 and shorthanded loose puck recoveries by zone, blocked passes, stick checks, body checks, blocked shots, puck battles won, penalties taken, on-ice goals against relative to teammates, on-ice shot attempts against relative to teammates, on-ice passes to the slot against relative to teammates, on-ice high danger chances against relative to teammates (all per 60 minutes), turnover rate by zone relative to teammates.
