Jack Eichel defended Mitch Marner against every critic and Leafs fans need to sit with what he said
Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Jack Eichel came to the defence of Mitch Marner and his critics after Vegas moved onto the Western Conference Finals. It's time Leafs fans started paying attention.
Say what you will about Mitch Marner, you can't deny his talents and Jack Eichel calling him the best player in the playoffs is going to make Maple Leafs fans feel anything but comfortable.
Leading the 2026 postseason in points, the Vegas forward has been lights out with his latest offensive outburst coming along with one of the most inventive and impressive goals scored in the past decade:
It was a highlight reel goal that all but cemented Marner as the definitive playoff performer and should put all previous doubts to rest about his ability to come through in the clutch.
Mitch Marner has been the best player in the playoffs and Jack Eichel just confirmed everything we already knew
Not only has Marner been able to help bring Vegas one step closer to the Stanley Cup, but he's also endeared himself heavily to his teammates; most notably Jack Eichel.
Eichel was full of love for Marner after securing a berth in the Western Conference Finals and gushed about how great he's been since arriving. But he also didn't let Marner's prior critics off the hook either:
He was the best player in that [second round] series, he makes two incredible plays and we have the lead. He's been incredible since day one in camp, his personality has gelled really well...I am so happy for him. I know he's had a lot of critics and I know he's shutting a lot of people up right now, so I'm happy for him.
Marner didn't exactly have a stellar season with Vegas during the regular season, as he only managed 80 points in 81 games; not terrible by any means but a far cry from the standard he set in Toronto.
But he turned it up in the postseason as his 18 points are by far a career high with potentially eight more games to add to that. It's no doubt going to make Maple Leafs fans frustrated with his lack of effort during his time with the team but they should listen closer to Eichel's words.
The Maple Leafs spent nine years trying to figure out Mitch Marner and Vegas did it in one postseason
While you can certainly point to Marner and his lack of a real offensive punch, he was the best playoff producer for the Maple Leafs during the Core Four era. It was a lack of a supporting cast that really cost them.
When Toronto had a chance to get through tough teams like Tampa Bay in 2021-22, Marner had eight points in seven games. Meanwhile the cast he had around him featured the following names:
Marner averaged more points per game for the entire Core Four era, but got the most hate. The problem was never him but the ones around him instead.
You aren't really getting much offence out of those names. Blackwell is a fine bottom-six player, same with Engvall and Kerfoot (who was acquired for Nazem Kadri mind you).
But you're relying on David Kampf to give you scoring? How can you properly defend when you're relying on a 38-year old Giordano especially against a lightning-quick Tampa team (pun intended)?
Compare that to Vegas who is getting contributions from everyone. Not only are the stars putting in the work, but you have Colton Sissons, Cole Smith, and a rejuvenated and healthy William Karlsson. Couple that with actual defence and goaltending and suddenly Marner succeeds.
While there is certainly some criticism to throw towards Marner for his attitude, especially towards the end of his time in Toronto; he's not really the issue here.
Vegas proved Marner can thrive in the playoffs when given the proper pieces. Now it's a question of whether Toronto can learn from their mistakes before losing someone else, and John Chayka has one year to ensure that he builds a contender like Vegas.
Or it may be Auston Matthews out the door next.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Morgan Rielly is meeting with the Maple Leafs about waiving his NMC and the destination is clear
Morgan Rielly is meeting with the Maple Leafs about waiving his NMC and the destination is clear
Previously on Hockey Patrol