Mitch Marner is on pace for the lowest production of his career, even with a bigger role in Vegas
Photo credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
Mitch Marner isn't having the elite season that was expected with his move to Vegas, and is on pace for some of his lowest offensive numbers even as a focal point of the Golden Knights' attack.
There was a lot of speculation this offseason before Mitch Marner got traded to the Vegas Golden Knights, and while the Maple Leafs were able to move him before the situation reached free agency, it created a roster hole in Toronto.
Some fans have expressed frustration with the team this season and there has been some discussion online that perhaps Toronto may have misjudged things a bit.
But while Vegas is sitting comfortably with a 10-5-7 record, they are getting some less than standard production from Marner, who is on pace for some of the lowest numbers of his career.
Why Mitch Marner's production raises questions about the value Vegas is getting for his $12-million cap hit
Sportsnet writer Michael Amato revealed that while Marner is playing a lot of minutes in Vegas, and has a key role on the power play -- he's yet to show that extra level:
Marner on pace for 78 points is interesting. I assumed his numbers would drop slightly without Matthews and because VGK wouldn't lean on him as much as TOR did but his TOI is roughly the same and he's getting over a minute more per game on the PP than he did last year.
Marner has hit a bit of a rough patch over the last seven games, registering only two assists, a minus-five, and six giveaways while also committing costly turnovers, including one that led to an Anaheim Ducks overtime win.
Only five of his points this season have come with the man advantage and compared to last season at the same time, he had 13 points on the power play through 22 games.
For comparison -- John Tavares, a player who signed for much less than he could have and is 15th in the NHL with 27 points so far this year; even Matthew Knies is producing more and he's missed time too.
What Marner's early production says about his adjustment without Auston Matthews
It's obviously still only a handful of games into Marner's career in Vegas, but if he is unable to capture the same form as he had the past few seasons, it could make Vegas' already solid special teams even better.
But without his old running mate, Marner is finding it harder to find the scoreboard. This year he has Pavel Dorofeyev and Ivan Barbashev tied with four goals assisted by Marner apiece.
Then it's a four-way tie with Jack Eichel, William Karlsson, Kaedan Korczak, and Tomas Hertl -- with one for Braeden Bowman thrown in as well.
Last season, he had three primary connections: Auston Matthews (20), Matthew Knies (16), and John Tavares (15). It seems he had his favorites and it boosted his assist count.
Now he appears to be spreading his passes around more, but the overall chance generation hasn't matched previous years. He assisted for 12 different scorers last year, and has seven now. He's on pace to spread the puck evenly once again but not at the volume he usually does.
Right now Marner still appears to be adjusting to his role in Vegas, which is valid given his minimal time there thus far.
But if his production doesn't bounce back as the season goes along, it could make Vegas' ceiling as they approach the postseason.
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