Finally, given a genuine opportunity to fight for an NHL spot, Mason Marchment is taking advantage of every second of it. After being traded to the Panthers back in 2020, in exchange for Denis Malgin. Marchment had yet to receive a chance to prove his worthiness of being a full-time NHLer. That was until this season. With Noel Acciari suffering an injury back at the end of February, Marchment received his chance to show everyone that he can compete for a roster spot and help the team win.
Mason Marchment Exceeds Expectations
Sometimes when you watch games, you don’t notice guys until halfway through or the very end. Whether they get very little ice time or fail to make an impact on the ice, it constantly happens, especially with a young guy who’s new to the NHL. Yet, Mason Marchment never has that problem. Granted, he’s playing on a top line with a Selke Candidate in Aleksander Barkov and hidden gem Carter Verhaeghe. You have to be good to play with good players. Completing the Panthers’ top line, Marchment plays a complete 200-foot game. He’s a thorn in the side of every opponent’s defence.
At six feet, four inches, and 220 pounds; Top five on the team in hits, playing against Marchment is like playing against the wall. When it comes to the offensive zone, Marchment uses his big body to cause chaos in front of the net and battle for pucks in the corner. Playing more of a “grinder” style of game allows Verhaeghe and Barkov more time and space to create magic with the puck. While Marchment’s production numbers arent great with eight points in 24 games. He makes up for this in the Panther’s zone. On the defensive side of things, Mason is highly responsible and disruptive to the other team. With his Expected Goals Against (xGA) at only 4.8 and Goals Against Per 60 Minutes (GA/60) at 2.2. That leaves him within the top ten on the team with at least 24 games played. As Marchment continues to develop and mature, he will just become more challenging to play against.
Marchment Makes Himself a Home in Sunrise
Suppose you have followed Hockey closely, or any sport for that matter. Then you know that some players need just one chance to make an impact. Marchment is that kind of player. Even though he has only played 25 games for the ‘Cats,” he was given a contract extension back on April fifth, Marchment has played above what was anticipated for him. As we continue to praise his game, his possession numbers help make up for his lack of production. Third, on the team in Corsi For Percentage and with one of the higher Expected Goals Per 60 Minutes of 0.63 at even strength, he is playing some of his best hockey with no signs of slowing down.
Even though Marchment would be considered one of Dale Tallon‘s guys, both Bill Zito and Joel Quenneville see precisely what he saw. An up-incoming player that is defensively sound knows how to use his body and makes things easier on his linemates on the ice. Marchments best quality is that he isn’t afraid to get down in dirty on either side of the ice. He is constantly moving his feet and never stops fighting until the whistle blows.
Verhaeghe & Barkov with…
Duclair: 61% CF, 58% FF, 60% SOG, 69% xGF, 3.49 xG per 60, 3.66 goals per 60, 1.54 xGA per 60, 2.1 goals against per 60
Marchment: 61% CF, 58% FF, 60% SOG, 61.5% xGF, 3.19 xG per 60, 3.95 goals per 60, 2 xGA per 60, 2 goals against per 60
— Panther Pourri: A Florida Hockey Now Podcast (@PantherPourri) April 10, 2021
With Marchment gaining invaluable experience on a top line with one of the best players in the world. Who knows what he will look like as he comes into his own. Thanks to Point to Point Hockey (local guys who do fantastic work covering the Panthers), Marchment proves that he is more than capable of playing on the top line—allowing the team to use their assets elsewhere in the roster to bolster more depth.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
