To begin training camp and preseason, William Nylander has been experimented at centre. This is something that he hasn’t done in a while or for an honest amount of time. However, head coach Craig Berube likes his ability to carry the puck up the ice with speed. Therefore, he believes that Nylander could thrive at centre, given the proper chances and circumstances. In the opening game of preseason, Toronto faced the Ottawa Senators, and Nylander’s line wasn’t great that night. However, it’s only one game, and there’s a lot of time to improve. But, there is another star player in the Leafs’ lineup that could have the tools to also be experimented at centre and his name is Mitch Marner.
At Leafs’ practice on Tuesday, Auston Matthews had to leave early due to an upper-body injury. Although, according to Berube, it’s nothing to be worried about. However, someone needed to fill in for Matthews throughout the rest of practice. It appeared that Marner was getting some reps at the centre position, and it sparked a thought.
Centre Mitch Marner (Matthews left early, Villeneuve moves to F) pic.twitter.com/ikWg1O1rWl
— Kevin McGran (@kevin_mcgran) September 24, 2024
Should Mitch Marner be Given a Chance at Centre?
Marner is an extremely talented player and is a true playmaker. Among the leaders of most career points by active players on the Leafs, Marner is fourth, just ten points behind Matthews. There’s no hiding the fact that Marner has an outstanding hockey IQ, a critical trait that all centre-men need to obtain. Not only do you have to be able to see the ice and make plays as a centre, there’s more to it. Defensive responsibility is equally important as offensive contributions, although depending on the player, that will vary. Centre often help out their defence when the puck is in their zone. They also have active sticks and are required to take faceoffs.
Looking at that list, it doesn’t seem that crazy for Marner to fit the role. As a player, he has all those qualities. His offensive awareness and playmaking abilities are obvious. He’s averaged well over a point per game in the last six seasons of his career. Also, he’s been very consistent on the defensive end lately. The 27-year-old has been in the mix for the Selke Trophy for many seasons now. In the 2022-23 season, he was a finalist for that award. Marner can get it done on both ends of the ice and can play a 200-foot game.
A History in Different Positions
It’s not like this would be anything new for the Markham native. Back in Marner’s junior days with the London Knights in the OHL, he played centre. In his final two seasons with London, he scored 242 points in 120 games. Even though junior isn’t nearly at the same level as the NHL, it’s still worth noting that there was a time when Marner thrived at centre.
Also, Mitch Marner is no stranger to adapting to new positions, so why not at centre? There was a phase with former coach Sheldon Keefe where Marner was experimented at defence. This was something they considered for when the Leafs needed a goal or two, Marner would provide that offence from the backend. However, that experiment didn’t last very long might have only lasted a shift. It was tried out against the New Jersey Devils, and Nico Hischier took Marner “for a walk.”
Some Obstacles That Marner Would Face
While there are many aspects of this hypothetical situation that line up, there are a couple of reasons why it may not be a good idea. For starters, Marner isn’t the biggest body in the room. According to NHL.com, Marner clocks in at 180 pounds and six feet. To compare with the other centres on the team, Matthews is 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds. Also, John Tavares is 6-foot-1 and 211 pounds. Therefore, typically, centres are a little bit heavier.
While weight may seem like something that’s a bonus in a forward, centres need to be heavy or strong in some way, and this is because the centre is required to muck it up in the corners of the defensive zone. Also, sometimes, they’re in charge of boxing out forwards from in front of the goaltender. It would be very challenging for Marner to box out a forward like Matthews, for example.
It’s also important to remember that Mitch Marner at centre is during his final year of his current contract. It would be in his best interest to play where he is comfortable in order to maximize his abilities this season. Obviously, decisions aren’t made by the player. They’re made by the coach.
Main Photo Credit: Nick Turchiaro – USA TODAY Sports
