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Originally Posted by bluejays
Not to be petty but I'm not sure what you mean by a good 200 foot game. He's a great offensive playmaker who can finish and he skates very shifty. Defence he's just okay. But all bets are off in the playoffs. In the Western Conference where it's a little more aggressive physically, I'm not sure he'd be as good as on the Leafs. Still a definite 1st line player - there are no questions there.
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https://syndication.bleacherreport.c...t-now.amp.html
Don’t really want to turn it into a Marner thread but he was a Selke finalist and is routinely considered one of the best defensive forwards in the league. Usually leads the leafs in PK time. Particularly for offensively gifted players he is one of the best defensive forwards in the NHL.
Below is the Marner piece from an article on the top 5 defensive forwards in the league. Bleacher report had him second, not sure he is that high but he is elite.
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Mitch Marner's offensive game has often overshadowed his defensive contributions. The Toronto Maple Leafs right wing finally received recognition for his defense last season, as he was named a finalist for the Frank J. Selke Trophy.
Marner's skills as a playmaking forward are undeniable. Between his rookie debut in 2015-16 through 2022-23, the 26-year-old Leafs star has regularly tallied 61-plus points, including three with 94 or more points. He was named to the First All-Star Team in 2020-21 and 2021-22.
Over those seven seasons, Marner sits fifth in total takeaways with 523. Five of his 99 points last season came shorthanded, ranking sixth overall in that category among NHL forwards. He was second among Leafs forwards in shorthanded ice time per game (2:17) and was fourth in puck possession with a 53.3 shot attempt percentage.
At 6' and 180 pounds, Marner lacks the size of others on this list. He makes up for it with his hockey smarts and anticipation, intercepting passes and clearing attempts by his opponents and then quickly turning the play the other way. He will likely be in the running for the Selke this season.
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