Maple Leafs Face New Reality Without Mitch Marner, and the Numbers Aren't Pretty
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs are going to hurt offensively without Mitch Marner, but it's their power play that may have huge issues according to Travis Yost of TSN.
Losing Mitch Marner is both a blessing and a curse for the Maple Leafs. Sure, they don't need to deal with the headache of Marner's camp anymore, nor the constant complaining about opportunities but are also losing a heavy part of their offense.
the key playmaker on both 5 on 5 and the power play, Marner's absence is going to lead to a lot of work for other names like Auston Matthews, William Nylander and Matthew Knies.
Matthews Without Marner: The Surprising 5-on-5 Data
That PP though is going to have its rough spots, and according to TSN Analyst Travis Yost; they are going to really need to put in the work.
In his article for TSN, Yost broke down the impact losing Marner would have for the Leafs man advantage, and it doesn't look good:
There is a microscopic list of NHL players you would want on your first power-play unit than Matthews, a lethal shooter from anywhere in the offensive third. But the music he has made on the power play over the past few years directly tied to his chemistry with Marner.
In the 100 minutes Matthews did not play with Marner on the man advantage, Toronto's power play was a shell of itself, about 30 per cent less proficient in rate scoring.
In the 100 minutes Matthews did not play with Marner on the man advantage, Toronto's power play was a shell of itself, about 30 per cent less proficient in rate scoring.
That's frightening news for fans who are expecting Matthews to bounce back after a rough season in 2024-25, and the man advantage is where he can do a lot of damage.
Power Play Problems? Why Toronto May Struggle Without Their Top Playmaker
While that in and of itself is a bit of a weary proposition Yost mentioned that a lot of the responsibility that Marner had on the power play is now going to go to Morgan Rielly, and for fans who are weary about his regression, that can't be good news:
The personnel of the rest of the unit should at least have a similar look and feel; William Nylander, Tavares, and Knies should all be regular fixtures on Toronto's top unit, likely along with Morgan Rielly.
This is a team that tried five-forward deployments last season, so with Marner gone, it's likely Rielly who will soak up more responsibility.
This is a team that tried five-forward deployments last season, so with Marner gone, it's likely Rielly who will soak up more responsibility.
If Rielly is able to have a bounce back season offensively, there's nothing fans can do but breathe a sigh of relief, but he took a step back last year; so he needs to prove he can facilitate the offense once again.
That second PP unit also has a few concerns, but it could be feasible to see something like this:
McMann - Roy - Maccelli
Domi - Tanev
Is that a line capable of scoring, sure but it's also one that has a lot of playmaking and not a lot of scoring besides McMann; and a 2 on 1 would be nightmarish regardless of how good Tanev is.
They are going to need to figure out a new strategy, and that constant shuffling of the puck back and forth needs to be eradicated; shots on net lead to pucks in the net.
But all in all, Yost leaves fans with something positive about the team after all the concern:
In short, this is still a very good hockey team even after Marner's departure, and Matthews is such a sensational player he's given the organization confidence he can play with just about anyone and win his minutes.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 28 | 721 ANSWERS Maple Leafs Face New Reality Without Mitch Marner, and the Numbers Aren't Pretty Should the Maple Leafs do something to improve their power play ahead of the season? | ||
| Yes | 646 | 89.6 % |
| No | 75 | 10.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
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