Eklund: Why in the world would the Leafs chose Rantanen over Marner?

Eklund: Why in the world would the Leafs chose Rantanen over Marner?
- Eklund

You're not wrong here, Ek.

Playoff success?

because, for whatever reason Leafs, their fans...there's a perception that Marner disappears in the playoffs (though his stats suggest otherwise)

And Raantonen is someone different. But the same. Same level of player. Not the McDavid, not the Matthews but their side kick. The Draisaitl....the Malkin....the second guy. And it just hasn't worked in the playoffs for T.O. And eventually the window will close on these superstars

My guess? You have a proven playoff performer in Rantanen that you don't have in Marner. 101 points in 81 career post season games for Mikko and 50 point in 57 games for Marner.

I think Marner's resigning with Toronto now hinges on the playoffs, how well they perform as a team and how well he performs in them. I love regular season Mitch Marner but he needs to start showing up in the playoffs instead of disappearing.

I've had this discussion with some other hockey fans. Would you rather have Mitch Marner or Aaron Ekblad (pre suspension) and Sam Bennett for about the same price next year?

Leafs get to the finals or win the Cup this year with Marner playing a huge part in it hopefully changes everything.

It's only confusing if you make assumptions like this ....."a salary extension on which would be about the same amount of money for both players."

What if MM wants short term? Or 14M+?

Typically, when your initial reaction is "Why!?" you should assume there's a big piece of the puzzle that Treeliving knows ..that you don't.

because, for whatever reason Leafs, their fans...there's a perception that Marner disappears in the playoffs (though his stats suggest otherwise)

And Raantonen is someone different. But the same. Same level of player. Not the McDavid, not the Matthews but their side kick. The Draisaitl....the Malkin....the second guy. And it just hasn't worked in the playoffs for T.O. And eventually the window will close on these superstars
- Octavarium

I don't think it's a perception. The eye test shows it.

Rantanen's career post season stats far outpace Marner's. .87 ppg in the playoffs for Marner, 1.24 ppg in the playoffs for Rantanen.

Becasue, in the playoffs, who would you rather have on Matthew's wing?

Maybe because if Mitch really wanted to be here he would have already signed . Yes he wants to be here , for every dollar he can get . I doubt he even considered 8 years . He is a whiner " I dont have to if Auston didn't " look in the mirror Mitch . You are no Auston Matthews .

It's probably predicated on the thought that Rantanen would have signed an extension, like he did in Dallas, immediately upon getting traded to TOR. Marner apparently has no intention of doing so before the end of the year and thus is a much higher risk to leave the club.

This is crap EK - Mitchy held Dubie hostage and milked everything out of him
way to early in the process....if he asks for max money then fack him....he
needs to prove it in the playoffs when it counts(yes so do the rest of the Leafs)
but these young wieners asking for max money is detrimental to the team...see
all the pro sports teams where the leaders/stars all wanted to win more than
the payday - win it all and the payday will come along anyway.

because, for whatever reason Leafs, their fans...there's a perception that Marner disappears in the playoffs (though his stats suggest otherwise)

And Raantonen is someone different. But the same. Same level of player. Not the McDavid, not the Matthews but their side kick. The Draisaitl....the Malkin....the second guy. And it just hasn't worked in the playoffs for T.O. And eventually the window will close on these superstars
- Octavarium

When someone gets points matters. Looking at Marner’s total production is very misleading. He’s, unfortunately because I like the player, been terrible late in series. In games 5,6 and 7 of a playoff series Marner is the least productive of the core four. In the last 5 season he has 0 goals and 5 assists in 16 games (when it is games 5,6,7). So, basically, as the series starts to grind and teams make adjustments, Marner becomes completely ineffective.

with high taxes in toronto will they be able to sign him to 12.5 per year? Washington could pay him at least that and marner wouldnt pay state taxes

you're talking about adding a 40-50 goal scoring, faceoff taking, Stanley Cup winning forward to a team that can't get out of the first round. at this point you'd have to be completely delusional to think that it's Toronto's bottom 6 that are the issue year after year.

Eklund: Why in the world would the Leafs chose Rantanen over Marner?
- Eklund

Because of the way the Mitch camp negotiates. He stuck it to them last time and is likely indicating the same. I’m guessing his ask is higher than Rantanen and close to Draisaitl territory.

cause he doesnt turn into a little girl in the playoffs ?

Perhaps you shouldn’t be writing a blog if you don’t understand!!! Rantanen is what 6’3” and 220lbs. Marner is a runt. They are essentially the same player in regular season and Rantanen is better in playoffs. Even if you call them the same player, Rantanen signed for $12mil and Marner is going to fleece the Leafs for every penny he can get. And finally, Marner has a crap entitled attitude. Oh one more……Marner is a loser, the Leafs have won NOTHING while he has been here. So why wouldn’t they want to explore a comparable player with size, who may give them a chance to free up some Marner money!? PS. Let’s add onto that Marners dumb giveaways! For example last night against Utah. How many times a year does he make that brain fart move!!?? Too many!! Let him walk!!!

Mariner makes players around him better. Rantanen played wing for Mackinnon and has not proven to make players around him better.

Marner is not great in the playoffs until he is!

The question should be why the Maple Leafs need to resign Marner if he comes up short again in the playoffs.

As we all know, time and space is very limited in the playoffs. Intensity is ratcheted up, checking is much tighter, physicality increases.

There is no time for high end skill fancy playmaking, looking for the highlight reel goal. You have limited opportunities to put the puck on net and you need to take advantage when they present themselves.

Mitch's east west game is not for the playoffs and he doesn't have the physical ability to impose his will.

He has a high end regular season game.

Same with Willy. He is a game breaker in open ice. In tight checking he doesn't have the will to compete. His points are high in the playoffs however for the most part they are not the result of hard driving, direct play. And when you consider the number of shifts he is a passenger....the overall is a negative.

Who would you rather have in the playoffs : Mitch and Willie? Or 2 of either Tkachuk brother, Sam Bennett and Rantanen?

You have a star player that you can flip and sign for 8 years or you have a star player that states they want to stay but will not sign or negotiate.

You take the sure thing. Has little to do with the player skillset

Ode to Mitch Marner

Ode to thee, young Marner, swift and bright,
Upon the ice, a dazzling sight,
With every stride, you weave and glide,
The heart of Toronto, our spirits you guide.

With sticks in hand, you dance and play,
A symphony of skill in swift ballet,
The puck obeys your gentle call,
In the rink, you summon magic for all.

Oh, how you dart, like shadows in flight,
A flash of brilliance, a spark of light,
Your eyes behold the distant goal,
A hunger ignited, a burning soul.

Through crisp November and frosty nights,
You blaze through defenders, igniting delights,
With every pass, your vision unfolds,
A tapestry woven with threads of gold.

In Maple Leaf blue, you stand so tall,
In the hearts of fans, you've captured all,
You chase the dreams of glory and fame,
With courage and heart, you’re building your name.

In winter's chill, when the crowds roar loud,
You carry the hope of a faithful crowd,
With every shot that sails through the air,
A testament to the passion we share.

O Marner, our hero, our beacon of grace,
In the dance of the game, you’ve found your place,
From the dawn of your youth to the heights you ascend,
You inspire the future, you play till the end.

So raise up your stick, let the anthem ring,
For every defeat, you make us believe,
In moments of triumph, we've shared the joy,
Ode to Mitch Marner, our pride, our boy.

In every arena, your name we will cheer,
With dreams in our hearts, you banish the fear,
For in you we find the spirit of play,
In the game that we love, forever you'll stay.

Continue your journey, swift player, so bold,
In the echoes of glory, your story unfolds,
For in every heartbeat, in every long year,
Mitch Marner, our champion, forever held dear.

Now add a verse about the playoffs.

Becasue, in the playoffs, who would you rather have on Matthew's wing?
- wonishi

I got a better question. Who would you rather have centering Marner, Matthews or MacKinnon?

Now add a verse about the playoffs.
- ThatDarnCat

That request would crash the AI. 😆