Within the hockey-crazed metropolis of Toronto, the place something that the Toronto Maple Leafs do turns into a much-discussed focus of social media, many tales have the tendency to get coated and mentioned to dying. So why is it that one of many very largest Maple Leafs superstars is being under-appreciated, even whereas within the midst of the very best season of his profession and arguably one of many best in franchise historical past?
In fact, I’m speaking about Mitch Marner, who’s recent off changing into the quickest participant in membership historical past to succeed in the 700-point plateau.
Mitch Marner recorded his 700th level in his 622nd recreation and have become the quickest participant in @MapleLeafs historical past to succeed in the milestone, passing Darryl Sittler (666 GP).#NHLStats: https://t.co/Px7DmZSFGN pic.twitter.com/vnMhiRI4HN
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 17, 2025
Marner reached the milestone in opposition to the New Jersey Devils final Thursday, recording two assists in an exciting 4-3 extra time win. It marked considered one of already 23 multi-point video games for the 27-year-old this season, together with in every of his previous three video games. Conversely, he has solely performed 12 video games this season with out hitting the scoresheet in any respect. All informed, he has 67 factors (15 targets, 52 assists) in 48 video games whereas holding a cushty 18-point lead on the remainder of the workforce.
Marner Amongst League Leaders
These numbers don’t simply look formidable within the context of the 2024-25 Maple Leafs, however they stack up fairly impressively throughout the NHL. Because it at the moment stands, Marner ranks second within the league in assists, behind solely the Colorado Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon. He’s additionally fourth total in factors, one spot forward of Connor McDavid.
The midway level of the 2024-25 season just lately yielded a wave of award check-ins. Whereas offensive leaders like MacKinnon and Leon Draisaitl have been firmly concerned in most Hart Trophy discussions, Marner was not often talked about in that context. In reality, at the moment injured Minnesota Wild star Kirill Kaprizov was nonetheless producing some Hart buzz stemming from a torrid begin, however he now sits 17 factors behind Marner.
Positive, MacKinnon and Draisaitl might have statistically stronger circumstances for the Hart. Nevertheless, Marner has introduced sufficient worth and manufacturing to no less than be within the dialog. On the very least, he must be listening to some ‘M-V-P’ chants throughout house video games at Scotiabank Enviornment.
Marner Making Leafs Historical past
Talking of Scotiabank Enviornment and the Maple Leafs, Marner’s offensive exploits are quietly putting him in some fairly rarefied air within the annals of historical past for what’s a history-rich franchise. For the time being, he’s properly on observe to prime the 100-point plateau for the primary time in his profession (he ended the season at 99 factors in 2022-23). This could make him simply the fourth Maple Leaf to ever attain the milestone, becoming a member of Doug Gilmour, Daryl Sittler and teammate Auston Matthews – even Mats Sundin by no means achieved the feat in Toronto. Heck, a robust second half may even have him chasing Gilmour’s franchise-best 127-point marketing campaign in 1992-93.
Marner’s greatness extends exterior of simply this season. He at the moment ranks fourth all-time in assists in Maple Leafs’ historical past, having just lately surpassed Dave Keon. He additionally ranks sixth all-time in factors, sitting seven shy of George Armstrong for fifth on the record. From a private milestone standpoint, he’s now simply three assists in need of 500 for his profession.
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Why Doesn’t Marner Get Extra Love?
Given Marner’s stature from a statistical standpoint, it’s exhausting to know why he isn’t extra broadly appreciated in Toronto. In spite of everything, he now finds himself mixing it up within the franchise report books alongside the likes of Gilmour and Sittler, gamers who now stand as beloved legends. Maybe time will assist, however that doesn’t appear to be an issue for Matthews. Positive, targets could also be sexier than assists, however there must be room for each homegrown stars to be equally admired.
It’s additionally value noting that these statistical benchmarks solely measure common season manufacturing. For a playoff-obsessed Maple Leafs fan base, Marner’s lack of ability to raise his recreation within the postseason additionally affords trigger for his under-appreciation. In reality, nevertheless, not one of the ‘Core 4’ have been their finest selves within the league’s second season. And even nonetheless, Marner’s 50 profession playoff factors in 57 video games is sweet for twelfth all-time (barely forward of Matthews) whereas remaining no less than within the neighborhood of point-per-game manufacturing.
In reality, followers have been reluctant to completely embrace Marner ever since he and his camp engaged in a protracted, contentious contract battle in the summertime of 2019 that carried into coaching camp. That holdout has, understandably, caused a degree of apprehension over the upcoming contract negotiations for the pending unrestricted free agent. Even now, it’s tough to get pleasure from what has been a extremely profitable marketing campaign with out contemplating the way it is likely to be used as additional bargaining leverage for a participant who is probably going seeking to be paid as one of many league’s finest.
TOR has made seven and eight yr affords within the $11M AAV universe however as a result of it’s a decrease AAV and long term than Auston Matthews, it hasn’t been palatable to Marner.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) September 11, 2019
Whereas nobody is anticipating Marner to conform to take a hometown low cost on a contract that can seemingly embody his remaining prime years, he (together with agent Darren Ferris and the remainder of his household) may engender loads of goodwill amongst followers by taking part in a easy, straightforward and honest negotiation. Then again, if he hits the open market in an try to go to the very best bidder, he would absolutely proceed to wrestle to realize fan favorite standing – even when he does in the end return.
Within the 9 seasons since Marner joined the Maple Leafs group because the fourth-overall choose within the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, he has by no means recorded lower than 40 assists or 60 factors. Provided that constant manufacturing, it’s in all probability honest to say that he’s been considerably taken without any consideration, whilst a dynamic, two-way, point-producing winger who ranks among the many league’s finest. As an alternative of specializing in his playoff observe report or upcoming contract negotiations, let’s rejoice a outstanding, historic season – and profession – that we’ve got been lucky sufficient to witness.
