Tim Chiasson
Deciding where Mitch Marner should play five months ahead of the pre-season is a tough call.
It’s not hard to see that he’s outgrown the Ontario Hockey League, but is the Toronto Maple Leafs top prospect ready for the NHL? That’s where I’m not so sure.
More from Editor In Leaf
- Toronto Maple Leafs: Nick Robertson Healthy and Ready
- Ryan Reaves Will Have Zero Impact on Toronto Maple Leafs
- Toronto Maple Leafs: Playing Max Domi In Top-Six a HUGE Mistake
- Top 10 Scandals in the History of the Toronto Maple Leafs
- Toronto Maple Leafs: Results from the Traverse City Prospects Tournament
Mitch Marner is a victim of the ridiculous agreement between the NHL and the CHL that keeps young players who have outgrown junior from joining the American Hockey League.
William Nylander benefited from playing with the Toronto Marlies, something that Marner can’t be handed right now. So, where does that leave us?
It leaves us wondering if, during a time of patience and proper development, asking if Marner is ready to jump into the brightest spotlight in the National Hockey League by suiting up for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
He’s got the talent, the vision and the desire to be better than anyone else on the ice – there’s no debating that. I’d really like to see him with the Marlies, but since that can’t happen I think the Maple Leafs have no choice but to let him play in the NHL next year.
Next: Shanahan Was Right About Fighting
Marner has nothing left to learn at the junior level, he’s past that. Another year of junior could quite possibly make him complacent, pick up bad habits or develop an ego. Of course, it could also do none of that and he could simply go about his business of destroying the OHL for another season. I’d prefer not to gamble, though.
Marner should play in the NHL next season with the Toronto Maple Leafs.