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Pirates manager Brad Treliving gives critical analysis of veteran Hall of Famer Jim Leyland advice on ……….. Today, See details http://herosports240.com
Thanks to David Pastrnak’s series-clinching, game-winning overtime goal in Game 7, the Boston Bruins have eliminated the Toronto Maple Leafs from the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Prior to Game 5 of their series against the Bruins, there was discussion about the Maple Leafs making adjustments. With the series over, the conversation will intensify and center around Mitch Marner.
The fact that Auston Matthews and William Nylander missed games due to injuries does not lessen the damage. The Maple Leafs’ performance will be the center of attention, particularly in Games 3 and 4. You have to question where that attention to detail was in those two games, given what head coach Sheldon Keefe received from his club in Games 5-7.
But given that this group’s core has been together since 2016 and has only won one postseason series in the previous eight years, it is reasonable to wonder if it is time to replace this core. These queries stem from the Maple Leafs’ play-in round loss to Columbus back in the bubble.
The bits surrounding the center have shifted, but the outcomes remain the same. Stanley Cup victories require depth players, but the series must be won by top players. Mitch Marner was absent from the Maple Leafs game.
Marner finished the series with just 12 shots on goal and three points in seven games. For a player who can sign an extension on July 1st, that is insufficient. Marner’s existing $10.903 million salary cap hit is in place. It is not acceptable to have only three points after seven games.
David Pastrnak, a player worth $11 million, was called out by Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery, and he performed admirably. Despite his meager seven game total of five points (two assists and three goals), Pastrnak proved his worth when it mattered most, particularly while scoring difficult goals.
Marner’s postseason point total was the lowest of the season. Even though he has 50 points in his last 57 playoff games, he still seems to be frightened of the big occasion. He was sound defensively, but it was problematic to be on the ice for the game-winning goal that ended the series and to just watch the puck.
Marner has faced criticism in the past, and with good reason. In the postseason, elite athletes must perform. That’s what William Nylander does. The big moment does not frighten him. It has a Marner-like vibe. And that’s where the Maple Leafs should begin.
Brad Treliving, the general manager, must make choices, particularly about Sheldon Keefe. Most likely, Keefe is no longer with us, but weirder things have happened. Treliving, though, needs to visit Marner and decide where he wants to play. When Marner plays in Toronto during the playoffs, he puts an excessive amount of pressure on himself.
Marner has a no-movement clause, which gives him influence over where he plays, as Pierre LeBrun of TSN pointed out. However, facilitating these transactions will be difficult.
Nothing is impossible, though, as demonstrated by the Tampa Bay Lightning’s ability to waive Ryan McDonagh’s no-movement clause. Treliving, though, needs to clarify his destination. They may want to wait and see if he treats Tavares in the same way.
Are We Certain That The Toronto Maple Leafs Will See Significant Changes?
In particular, if there is no trade partner, Toronto shouldn’t be scared to let a player walk into free agency. To sign Marner to a long-term agreement at a higher AAV would be the worst thing they could do. However, they could try this again.
Now is the perfect moment to start again with Mitch Marner.