Mitch Marner Team Canada 4 Nations Face-Off David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Chris Pronger shares what Leafs gain playing alongside best players in the world

Originally posted on TheLeafsnation | By Dylan Nazareth | Last updated Feb 15, 2025 12:00 PM ET

Is it possible that greatness is contagious?

It was heavily debated in the lead-up to the 4 Nations Face-Off if the effort level at this competition would be more All-Star game civility or Olympic ferocity. Now after two games, it’s clear players are bringing their all (or at least trying to, in Finland’s case) in representing their nations on the world stage for the first best-on-best hockey in nearly a decade.

Knowing this, Toronto fans are left wondering what Maple Leafs players could take back to the team from this competition after playing alongside some of the best in the world. For Mitch Marner, for example, what effect on his play does scoring a Crosby-assisted OT winner in his national sweater have, beyond just being the coolest thing ever for him?

On Friday’s edition of Leafs Morning Take, two-time Canadian Olympic gold medalist Chris Pronger stopped by to chat 4 Nations. He told Nick Alberga and Jay Rosehill about the effect rubbing elbows with some of the world’s best can have on a player like Marner:

“When you win on the highest stage it helps, you know? It builds your confidence, especially if you play a significant role and are able to produce and play a significant role in winning hockey games. You know, scoring the OT winner in this case.”

"When you win on the highest stage, it helps.."

– @chrispronger dished on Marner, Matthews, & Nylander at the #4Nations #LeafsForever @thegoldenmuzzy | @Jay_D_Rosehill

Presented by @CharmDiamonds pic.twitter.com/eM6Sr3Dluj

— TheLeafsNation (@TLNdc) February 14, 2025

Pronger has experienced how playing with winners can help not only in building confidence, but in improving your game too. Speaking about his Olympic debut in Nagano, Pronger shared how skating among some huge names in hockey history inspired him to be better:

“You know, I remember ’98, I was a young 23-year-old playing in the Olympics for the first time. Gretzky’s there, Scott Stevens, Ray Bourque, you know, all kinds of guys, all walks of life from there, you know? Players that I watched growing up, and you’re like, oh my god, you know? And you’re now immersed in playing at the highest level with these guys and you’re not [just] watching, you’re paying attention and trying to pick out little things that are germane to how you play that you can add to your repertoire, if you will. And watching how they lead, how they handle situations.”

Under the direction of Craig Berube, the Leafs have seemed to come into this year with a new mentality, a real ability to win tough games. As is all too familiar in Toronto though, fans wait with baited breath to see how this team takes shape when tested in the playoffs.

So whichever Maple Leaf wins the 4 Nations Face-Off, be it Marner, Matthews, or William Nylander (or by some miracle, Jani Hakanpää, watching from the bench), fans will hope Pronger’s words ring true, and they return to Toronto with a winner’s mentality. And for all of them, win or lose, that they bring back lessons they can carry with them into this year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs.

This article first appeared on TheLeafsnation and was syndicated with permission.

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