Mitch Marner's Departure from the Toronto Maple Leafs Leads to Hot Take from NHL Analyst
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Former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner is now with the Las Vegas Golden Knights, but it seems like not everyone is convinced this is a bad thing.
When Mitch Marner ditched the Toronto Maple Leafs for the Las Vegas Golden Knights, many felt as though the Leafs had just gotten a lot worse.
However, there are other analysts out there who believe the opposite. After all, Marner was not good in the postseason, which caused problems for the Leafs.
During a recent NHL Network segment, former NHL player and current analyst Mike Rupp spoke about the Marner situation and offered up an interesting hot take that will get Leafs fans fired up.
Are the Toronto Maple Leafs better without Mitch Marner?
Rupp acknowledged right away that the Leafs are worse in the regular season without Marner. However, this could be a Florida Panthers situation.
The Panthers used to be great in the regular season but terrible in the playoffs. Now, things have changed for the better. Rupp believes Marner leaving will create a similar effect in Toronto.
You're a better team with Mitch Marner. I'm not saying the Toronto Maple Leafs are better without him, but the team structure and the team dynamic might be better to win come playoff time.
If this is true, then the Leafs may end up as a wild card team next season. However, they could also find themselves grinding their way through the postseason.
In the Auston Matthews era, the team has yet to make it to the Eastern Conference Finals, but that could all change with a new look team.
Of course, it is not going to be an easy season. There are a lot of new players who will have to adjust to playing in Toronto.
Having said that, the Leafs could very well find themselves in an advantageous position once the postseason rolls around. If anything, Rupp's comments should give fans hope.
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