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Toronto Maple Leafs Can Become the New 2010 Chicago Blackhawks

By Matthew Rodrigopulle

Nov 5, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) and forward William Nylander (29) congratulate defenseman Jake Gardiner (51) on his goal against the Vancouver Canucks at Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Vancouver 6-3. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) and forward William Nylander (29) congratulate defenseman Jake Gardiner (51) on his goal against the Vancouver Canucks at Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Vancouver 6-3. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 2, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner (16) controls the puck against the Montreal Canadiens during a preseason hockey game at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Canadiens 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner (16) controls the puck against the Montreal Canadiens during a preseason hockey game at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Canadiens 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Mitch Marner (drafted fourth overall in 2015) — Patrick Kane (drafted first overall in 2007)

If there has ever been a closer comparable to Patrick Kane in recent years, let me know. Mitch Marner has been compared to Kane ever since his days in juniors (they both played for the London Knights too).

Bringing speed, agility, a quick wrist shot, and some slick hands, both players are eerily similar in their play styles. People often criticize Marner for having a small frame, but Kane also has a very similar small body type.

Marner stands 6’0 at 170 lbs. As of now, Kane stands about 5’10 and is 175 lbs. Both are small, but both are quick. If anything, their size helps amplify the fast and skillful playstyles that they both possess.

As a rookie, Kane scored 21 goals and 51 assists (72 points) in 82 games, which was enough to capture the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2008 as rookie of the year. As of now, Marner has 7 goals and 11 assists (18 points) in 21 games, putting him on pace for a very similar rookie year.

Kane is arguably the best player in the league right now, coming off a Hart Trophy-winning season. Can Mitch Marner achieve this much for the Leafs? Hopefully he can, but more importantly, the Leafs could greatly benefit if Marner moulds into the type of player like Kane.

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