I disagree. I've watched enough games to know they are both hugely skilled. It is miraculous that a core as young as this did as well as they did. Offensively, Marner actually was better than people would have expected.
They went to game 7 against a very good bruin team. To think they haven't become better just doesn't make sense
Agree that they both are really skilled players and i can see Nylander turning into a eliteplayer, he has that upside and also a really good release.
Marner though are in my mind hugely overated, hes feisty to look at when he got space to work on like in PP. But to me he reminds me of Sam Gagner who could have good streaks followed up with bad ones, weak on the puck and size matters when you get into the playoffs, Marner has also a very weak shot which are very hard to make even average. If he bulks up he probably loses a step in the skating area.
We will see if he have any chemistry wit JT, but if he has hes contract could anchor the team a long time. The problem with those offensive players who cant be used anywhere else is if they stop producing at a acceptable level.
I think the jury still out on Marner a couple of month of producing and a couple of playoff games doesnt make him a sure thing, before cristmas he had really bad stretches.
As a Canadian fanboy we will be hugely overpaid though, people often think feisty is the same as effective and also forget weaknesses after a high reel goal, but every goal has the same value in a game.
Come back in 4-5 years and throw it in my face if im wrong, but i dont think he will have a big impact in a future Leafs team and the expectations the fanbase has in him is way to high. He will have 40 % of his production in pp and 65-70 a a season. And if he and his line continue to leaking goals, thats not near the star quality mark. Playing wit Jt perhaps give him some free points, but you dont need to pay wingers 8-9 playing with a top 10 Center, rather have a player with a snipe who crashing the net at 4-5, even less in McDavids case! Building with role players around your top centers, theres a reason why Babcock ties a fast and hard checking Hyman with AM.