There maybe some discussion on whether or not Mitch Marner is a lock for a best-on-best Team Canada roster. Here, we will touch on why he is more than deserving of the nod to the squad. Once we’ve convinced you that he will make the team, we can look at the team itself. We can explore possible line combinations and where Marner would be best suited. So, let’s get into it, starting with why his body-of-work that makes him a deserving participant on Team Canada for the highly-anticipated best-on-best tournaments. Those competitions being February’s 4 Nation Face-Off and the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games.
Mitch Marner’s Team Canada Bid and Potential Linemates
Whether we analyze personal or full-line stats, Marner’s level of play, especially over the past couple seasons, has been elite. If we consider since he came into the league in 2016-17, Marner ranks ninth in the NHL in points with 644. Furthermore, over the past three seasons, his 194 assists has him eighth in league rankings. Even back to his third year in the league, he has maintained very elite points/60 minutes stats, never below 3.2. For example, in 2022-23, when he ended up with 99 points in 80 games, it was at 3.5. His assist numbers, as well as his skating, vision, and puck skills, make him among the elite playmakers in the game.
Moreover, the other aspect of his game that makes him an elite selection to an elite team, is his two-way game. Both he and his teammate, Auston Matthews, have gained notable recognition over the few seasons as great defensive forwards. For example, Marner finished third in league Selke Trophy voting in 2022-23. Marner also has plenty of work put in on the penalty kill. He has been over 100 minutes of shorthanded ice time in each of the last six seasons. Additionally, given his offensive skills, he’s always a threat to strike on the PK. His 16 career shorthanded points are a testament to that fact.
Exploring Marner’s Past Linemates in Toronto
On top of individual accolades, his chemistry with his linemates make him elite as well. After all, it is meaningless being considered the best, if you can’t play with the best. As a member of the top line for the Toronto Maple Leafs for the past number of years, he definitely falls into the category of best. Last season, playing with Matthews and Matthew Knies, in 43 games together, their xGoals% was 58.7. From the two years previous to that one, swapping Knies with Michael Bunting, their xGoals% values were 65 and 57.3, respectively. Going way back now, to 2020-21, when Zach Hyman was the complement to Matthews and Marner, that stat was at 65.6. Moreover, although it is early, their line is producing already, Marner is clipping at nearly an assist a game pace, and their line has a xGoals% over 60, and physically outscoring their opponents 5v5, 4-0.
Matthews and Marner Truly Are an Elite Dynamic Duo
Playing with Matthews is an elite combination. That type of level is comparable to what you would find on a Team Canada roster alignment. The fact that the duo has maintained such excellency with varying linemates, truly is a testament to their abilities. Not only are they producing at elite levels, against top-line players, but also, their adaptability and completeness makes either of Matthews or Marner in the conversation of best NHLers. Therefore, we have more than proven the case of Marner being deserving of his inclusion to Team Canada. Here we will have a little fun. In order to decide how Marner makes the team, you want to include as exact scenarios as possible that make the most sense for all the team’s line combinations.
If you consider Mitch Marner’s puck control, passing, playmaking, and two-way abilities, he is definitely in the conversation for Team Canada’s top six. That means he is in Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon territory. So, we have two completely distinct lines that fit the criteria as we have attempted to establish thus far. Let’s being with the combo that works with 97.
One Option for Marner Includes Mixing in Some Chemistry
Marner being on a line with McDavid leaves one obvious choice for the other winger, and that is Zach Hyman. Hyman brings size and physicality, a willingness to battle in the corners or crash the net. Also, very importantly, he can finish, as evidenced by his 54 goals last year.
However, the most significant factor to put this line together is quite simply chemistry. We already referenced Hyman being on a very successful line with Matthews and Marner in Toronto. In addition, his big goal total from ‘23-24 came from playing with McDavid. This line’s potential ability to open up gaps in the defence and then having Hyman jamb net front will give the most reliable defender fits. Look for it to be one of the most probable line combinations that Team Canada runs within live games.
Another Top Line Possibility for Mitch Marner on Team Canada
The next potential winning combination of numbers on the backs of sweaters to accompany Marner’s 16 is 29 and 87. Yes, there is the obvious argument of having fellow Nova Scotian, Brad Marchand, on the line with MacKinnon and Sidney Crosby. Conversely, some people’s roster would leave the veteran Marchand off the roster entirely. It does seem like a foregone conclusion that Sid and Mack play together, but whoever completes the line is an unknown. That’s where our Marner selection has such credibility.
Just the completeness of skills possess by the trio would be off the chart. Crosby has such command over the game and middle of the ice. Furthermore, MacKinnon’s speed is as explosive as there is in the game. With Marner’s ability to slow the game down and open up gaps in the defence, having players that know where to be, aren’t afraid of being right in the action, and have the skills to break it open and make something out of nothing, even in tight spaces, is electrifying to dream about.
