INSIDE THE LEAFS: Is the criticism of Mitch Marner warranted?

On the latest episode of Inside The Leafs, Postmedia's Rob Wong chats with Toronto Sun Maple Leafs writers Lance Hornby and Terry Koshan about Mitch Marner's series so far and whether the criticism about his play is valid. They also talk about potential lineup changes for the Leafs and whether Joseph Woll or Ilya Samsonov gets the start in goal for Game 5.

[@Dave-ld3dr]

At least Marner finally dropped his gloves.

[@willsk7068]

Oof

[@unclederbs]

🤣

[@stratcat3216]

LMAO

[@ComeOnPeopleThink]

The Leafs suck from top to bottom..it's not just one person..

[@drlca6601]

but Marner is the scape goat...

[@huey166]

Utah needs a regular season star. Make it happen Mr Treeliving

[@Asmodai2011]

All he has to offer is collapsing stars.

[@diannehart4842]

Mitch is one guy on that team.. the criticism is not warranted. He is just back from a high ankle sprain on the same ankle😮 that he sprained a couple of years ago... not certain when the last one was, but it's the same ankle. Mitch never doesn't try He remains to be an elite athlete !

[@swavekbu4959]

Just trade Mitch to Utah so Utah can win a Cup already.

[@Tribuneoftheplebs]

Mitch the Mammoth

[@SlurpEee25]

Marner and others are making a ton of money for falling flat in the playoffs. There's players making half that and contributing twice as much to their teams as the core for the Leafs have been doing. If you don't want the heat, don't ask for that kind of money and deliver nothing when it counts but I also think it's more than that, our goaltending is bad and coaching is bad.

[@Horsewrangler780]

100% warranted he makes 11m a year and is worth less than half that.

[@willsk7068]

Hyman is at 5.5 per, and Marner is not half the man he is.

[@bskinny9009]

​@@willsk7068Blame Shanahan, management can't think outside the box. They should've traded Marner for a #1 D years ago.

[@raymondpotvin310]

Hyman doesn't get those goals without McDavid. Matthew's doesn't get his without Marner.

[@Brandon18374]

@@willsk7068I’m happy for Zach. He got out of Toronto and went to a team/fanbase that actually appreciates him. I’m sure he’s laughing at what’s going on here.

[@c_telking4433]

@@raymondpotvin310Matthews doesn’t need Marner. He just scored 11 goals 22 points in 12 games to end the season while Marney was on the shelf. You have been reading too many Oilers threads lol

[@The.Great.Calling]

I think their biggest issue is coaching and management in general. A good coach would fix Marner

[@casewojo6186]

lol Marners soy blood can’t be fixed.

[@The.Great.Calling]

@@casewojo6186get the right coach to bark at him and scare the crap out of him will fix him up

[@anthonypapp6349]

A guy I worked with many moons ago once told me "you are only as good as your last job" that stuck with me, but it is so fitting with these Leaf players.

[@Neon002121]

It’s warranted sure, but none of the core has really showed up. Even 34 has been mostly middling. Mitch only gets the criticism because he’s easiest to move.

[@richardvervoorn6626]

I fear he’s NOT EASY TO MOVE, too much salary for a perimeter playoff performer…

[@Porsche_911_Experience]

It’s been 57 years…and counting

[@johnwicks4936]

Marchand make literally half of any of the Toronto core 4 and he is a Captain with a Stanley Cup ring and several trips to the dance. What have the highly overpaid 4 achieved? Marchand is a machine for half the money and he’s not even in his prime anymore.

[@86daytonaz]

I hope Marner played his last year with Toronto…. He don’t need this CRAP!.. and will shine elsewhere as others have!!!! Shame on YOU!

[@sean367]

Let him shine somewhere else then

[@richardg8651]

The reckless spending of Kyle Dubas will kill the Leaf's for the next decade. Marner is that bloated contracts poster child but far from alone.

[@robertround6630]

Marner should play with Mathews, anthe second line would be Tavares, Nelander and Yarnkrok. The failings rest with the coach.

[@PegasusGamez]

I love how Maple Laughs crying 😂😂😂😂😂😂 Better luck some year😂

[@jefftaylor844]

The Leafs franchise hasn't played in the Stanley Cup Finals since 1967 - 1967. Let that sink in.

[@Alex90210]

Worst team in sports history.

[@jefftaylor844]

@Alex90210 ... easily in the top five worst professional franchises in sports history.

[@Alex90210]

@@jefftaylor844 Def are. Their fans are all talk every year.

[@jefftaylor844]

@@Alex90210 ... many parades have been planned over the last 50+ years ! LOL !

[@johnsmith7345]

and the number one franchise in the NHL they literally pay so that teams like Ottawa and Winnipeg survive. Let that sink in.

[@lenaforsgren]

Haven’t checked myself, but I’ve heard that it’s not that uncommon that players can struggle or at least be kind of invisible in the beginning of the playoffs and then go on to play huge games and even become the MVP. Not saying that I expect that in this case, but isn’t it a bit early to dismiss a player entirely?

[@wilseph1]

Tough to find out when the Leafs can't get past the first round!

[@drlca6601]

3 straight wins agaist this Bruins team? lmao

[@lenaforsgren]

@@wilseph1 I’m not a fan so I’ll be alright

[@lenaforsgren]

@@drlca6601 Not saying it’s likely, and Toronto is not my favorite team. Just saying that if they somehow manage to win the series it’s not too late for the stars to shine.

[@wilseph1]

@@lenaforsgren A wise decision that you have made!

[@oldhab7890]

How many points does Matthews have?

[@user-tr4jj9pt7x]

It's never been easier to go into the corners or be in front of the net than it is in today's NHL. Compare what Dino Ciccarelli put up with versus today. It's two different universes. When Domi cross checked Pastrnak, he just took it. Don't blame Marner, though. Who signed him and expected him to be a producer in the playoffs? There is nothing remotely gritty about his game.

[@GoBudsGo]

I said it 7 years ago, he needs to bulk up and gain strength weight if he wants to be an effective player. Forget it, too late.

[@brianeldridge8354]

Marner has the best Points Per Games out of the top 4 forwards. None of them have been good in the post season. They're all to blame. But the smallest injured guy should shoulder all the blame and not the two guys who just signed new big contracts lol

[@drexxler138]

Marners major contribution to this team, is winning the puck, getting it to matthews to shoot. And he has been extremely bad at his job function. He looks timid and scared out there, he is clearly the easiest to replace of the core four. But if you only stare on points and not all the important things, you would think Marner is a beast.

[@rockinrob6853]

Any other team would gladly pick up Marner. He’s the best play maker on the team. Leaf fans are almost as bad as canuck fans.

[@drexxler138]

Except when it comes to playoffs he fails at his job.

[@rockinrob6853]

@@drexxler138 fair enough. The entire team shit the bed though. ???

[@drexxler138]

I wouldn’t say the whole team, but definitely from the top four

[@glen1arthur]

How are the leafs and the titanic similar? Both look great until they hit the ice 😂😂😂

[@jimlangdon1947]

Mitch belongs on a line with PLD in LA. 😀

[@swavekbu4959]

The whole Leaf team needs to watch some Rafa Nadal tennis videos to learn what the heart of a warrior is all about.

[@player9117]

Rafe Torres

[@grahamdeitner5507]

In this series, the Leafs are 1 for 14 on the power play. The Bruins have 14 goals. Meanwhile, the Leafs have 7 goals. The Bruins' top players have played like top players. Meanwhile, Toronto's top players haven't done anything. Boston will have the series wrapped up on Tuesday night. It's up to the Leafs to prove me wrong.

[@chriso6884]

Reunite matthews and marner because, you know, they've led the Leafs to numerous elimination game victories in the past.

[@bounce12]

Matthew’s is out tonight unfortunately but I bet they pull of the w without him!!!

[@ImNotNormAll]

YES!!!

[@sean367]

This is click bait .

[@barbmills6187]

Not Marner, coaching is the issue. How do you destroy your top two lines and expect any other out come. Sheldon Keith should have been gone two years ago or better yet, never hired.

[@wayneandrews412]

State funeral for bob cole

[@davidjohnson-fw5co]

very evident last year against Florida in the playoffs . Same issues again against Boston this year. When up against a physical team who plays good defense, forechecks well and battles along the boards for the puck. The leafs fluff four can't compete. Until the leafs build a team to compete against Florida or Boston, which should be their primary objective. They better move out of the Atlantic division, otherwise expect the same results next year

[@AllanMurray-ox3it]

Is this true ? When the top 3 were arguing on the bench I heard Marner and Nylander were mad at Matthew’s cause his hair was messy ? So Matthew’s got hurt feelings and he left the 3rd period to get a hair cut ?

[@billharvey9959]

What has Matthews done the whole group plays like Marchand's Nana

[@matthewcouch6070]

I hope the Fan base turns on him that way he has a chance to win when he goes to a real team im not going to defend his performance but is he the only one who isn’t showing up Nylander say out 2 games because his head hurt and Matthews is missing time due to a tummy ache at least Marner is fighting through an earlier ankle injury but that’s what you get for paying players before they prove they aren’t just regular season unicorns

[@barrybull6253]

Yep

[@alouie001]

Marchand makes half his salary and delivered impact.

[@raymondpotvin310]

Only one who scored in the last game. Without him Austin doesn't get half his goals.

[@lucianonotte1444]

as long as the leafs organization makes money they dont care about winning NOBODY GO TO THE GAMES

[@McLovin1759]

Never going to happen. With Personal Seat Licenses, the season ticket holder gives up their right to the seat if they don’t renew.

[@billboggs6641]

People say they're an embarrassment. I could never be embarrassed by anything that a bunch of overpaid millionaires do playing a game. I could only be embarrassed by my own failures and letting my co - workers down. Don't get so invested in this circus, people.

[@brianhimmelman420]

Hyman …. 6 goals so far

[@drexxler138]

For a fraction of the cost

[@richardvervoorn6626]

TEAM DEFENSE NEEDS SOME DIFFERENCE MAKERS. THIS TEAM DOESN’T HAVE ANY OF THOSE, NO TOP ‘D’ MEN ON THIS TEAM. EVEN REILLY MIGHT NOT CRACK THE TOP 2 ON ANY CONTENDER AND HE’S the best the Leafs have by far… The top paid players have not been able to play excellent playoff hockey, many, many reasons for this teams lack of playoff success. MLSE HAS FAILED THEIR FANBASE MISERABLY BY PUTTING A TOP HEAVY TEAM TOGETHER. IF THEY HAVE NOT REALIZED THIS YET, THEN THERE IS STILL MORE OF THIS TO COME THROUGHOUT THE COMING SEASONS !

[@videostar25]

Babcock was right. He was the only one who pushed these prima donnas when the rest of Leafs management wanted to coddle them. What a pathetic organization from the top brass down to the players on the ice.

[@Steve-er8lb]

Send marner and tavares to dubas's pittsburg penguins for over the hill crosby and malkin. our chances to win improve 98%

[@derek89273]

It’s a team sport, no way Marner wears this.

[@drexxler138]

Narendra definitely shoulders a large portion of the blame. Small portion to the goalie, Matthews and the remainder is on the captain.

[@derek89273]

@@drexxler138we have to give credit to Boston, they are playing tight and disciplined.

[@Steve-er8lb]

it's been waranted for me since the beatdown montreal gave us in 2020. Haven't watched them since ,except to see them fall apart with joy in the playoffs now. Till these gutless bums leave this team i won't support or watch them

[@JohnAnderson-sq8lt]

Dubas!!! Enough said!

[@billverge7822]

i need to rant...lol....Robertson is an empty uniform. i don't see why people like him? b/c he can shoot? great, but if you are never in a position to shoot, who cares..putting him on the 4th line was a massive error from Keefe, he's not a 4th liner, he doesn't hit, bang, forecheck, or score so why is he playing? I'm sure Dewar or Gregson would fill out that line much better. I've been on the trade Marner band wagon since the Covid series vs MTL when he gave up the puck @ the blueline and MTL came down and scored on Campbell, Marner does not have the playoff mentality or IQ to play at the level needed to be a champion, he's a child ,wanting everything handed to him, its hard to win the playoffs when you play like he does, and if Treliving gives him 8x13m contract, god help us lol.

[@PatrickWernham-rh3eu]

Yes he deserves it. He gets paid a ton of money to win stanley cups.

[@McLovin1759]

The problem is going to be highlighted by the reaction to this comment. We need to move on from #34. He’s not the kind of player that sees the 9 years of playoffs he’s been a part of and says, you know what, I’m not going to let this happen any more. Follow me boys. No doubt a terrific regular season goal scorer and no doubt not suited to winning in Toronto given the past failures. But do Toronto fans value a team award like the Stanley Cup or do they value individual trophies and the cache that goes with having a major star? Sadly, it’s the latter.

[@soapboxearth2]

You cant take marners talent from him but,You cant coah someone to man up.

[@shawnofthedead6362]

LEAFS estaminet team that’s all they are as long fill seats owners are happy

[@jcd4552]

There is no I in TEAM... full stop!

[@bikingD]

A chain is not only as strong as its weakest link.

[@mike-we8pb]

Leafs lockers already cleared out, golf ready to go. 2045

[@JovanTodorovich-ym3oy]

WHAT NOW MATTHEWS CAN'T HIT THE NET 69 WOW

[@JovanTodorovich-ym3oy]

Trade mattewes solved the problem

[@PeterChristofilopoulos]

How sad it is that grow people are taking about this?....move on.... They win .... fantastic it will bring joy to children whom were force to care , joy to the gamblers and joy to the adults who lives are so pathetic.

[@sean367]

Peter your spelling is atrocious

[@bikingD]

Not a Leafs fan but what are adults supposed to talk about? Sports, Music, movies, travel, food, real estate. It's called being open minded and well rounded having many interests. Heck you clicked on and commented what does that make you?

[@almVancouver]

Salary aside, he's never shown he's a big game player. I think we finally got some truth from Nylander on the bench when it looks like he says stop crying. At least he's not shooting the puck over the boards this year.

[@nadia0701]

Mitch is not worth $11m.

[@ReddyFox73]

I hope Toronto fans never get to experience a championship team , you all don't deserve it.

[@discoveryman59]

Come on! This has been an 8 year ordeal Its time to move on from marner and nylander and anyone else that can get value from.

[@user-pb7tx5rp6s]

The soft, fringe players don't amount to much in the playoffs. That's a fact.