Maple Leafs Struggling to Replace Marner, Zeisberger Says
Mike Zeisberger, NHL.com staff writer, discussed the challenges faced by the Toronto Maple Leafs following the departure of Mitch Marner on the latest episode of the NHL @TheRink podcast.
Impact of Marner's Departure
Mitch Marner left Toronto this offseason in a sign-and-trade deal with the Vegas Golden Knights. In his first season under an eight-year, $96 million contract (averaging $12 million annually), Marner has recorded 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) in 12 games.
Team Performance Overview
The Maple Leafs have an 8-5-1 record after their 5-3 win against the Utah Mammoth at Scotiabank Arena. They rank third in the league for goals per game (3.62) but struggle defensively, sitting 28th in goals against (3.62) and last, 30th, on the power play (12.1%).
Marner’s Previous Contributions
Last season, Marner amassed 102 points (27 goals, 75 assists), including a team-high 33 points (six goals, 27 assists) on the power play. Toronto's special teams converted at 24.8%, tied for eighth in the NHL. Marner was also recognized as a top defensive forward, finishing seventh in Selke Trophy voting.
Efforts to Fill the Gap
To compensate for Marner's absence, the Maple Leafs acquired forwards Nicolas Roy (from the trade with Vegas), Matias Maccelli, and Dakota Joshua, and promoted Easton Cowan from the American Hockey League. Despite these moves, Zeisberger notes a significant void remains in the top-six forward group.
"Myself personally, I'm not surprised."
Summary
Mitch Marner's departure has left the Toronto Maple Leafs with a critical void in offensive and defensive production, forcing the team to explore new options to restore their top forward lines.
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