How has Mitch Marner fit with the Golden Knights?

When Mitch Marner joined the Vegas Golden Knights last summer, his success was always going to be about the playoffs. He’s consistently performed in the regular season, but found himself on the wrong side of Toronto Maple Leafs fans when he would go quiet in key games.

So far with Vegas, that hasn’t been the case. Marner has three goals and nine points in eight games so far this season, highlighted by a two-goal, three point performance in a series-clinching Game 6 win over the Utah Mammoth. He’s managed to shake the Toronto-sized monkey off his back and is playing up to standard for the Golden Knights

Ken Boehlke of Sin Bin Vegas joined Daily Faceoff Live to talk about Marner and how well he’s worked in Vegas so far this season.

Ken Boehlke: Mitch Marner’s fit is interesting. It’s such a weird topic. All of the numbers, all of what he does, if they were handing out a Conn Smythe for this postseason just to the Golden Knights, Mitch Marner’s the winner. And I don’t even think it’s debatable. I think people would look at Carter Hart, but that’s really been the last three games or so. Before that, he wasn’t really doing the job. Mitch Marner’s been the guy through all of this.

The goals aren’t there. You’re not gonna get that, it’s unrealistic. He does have three now, which isn’t terrible for eight games. But the fit’s interesting because they moved his position. He’s played center way more than he’s played wing this season now, every single playoff game. They have never truly found the perfect, even one winger, let alone two wingers for him.

Is he fitting? Not necessarily. But is that because of Mitch Marner? Absolutely not. He’s doing his job, he’s doing what he’s supposed to be doing, and he’s excellent defensively. He’s been spectacular off the puck.

Does he fit what they’re doing? I don’t know yet, which is crazy. We’re eight games into the playoffs and I still don’t know. But at the same time, I cannot put that at the feet of Mitch Marner, and I won’t. He’s been excellent.

You can watch the full episode here…